The Editor, Sir:

In this day and age, it is hard to think that many roads in Jamaica are still like donkey tracks.

We in Jamaica encourage our young professionals to go back in their communities and contribute. However, if the simple infrastructure and opportunities are not available, then they will not stay.

Take for instance the community where I reside, (Dunnsville in St. Ann) - the road is in a deplorable state.

Second-class citizens

I am sure other communities can echo this same sentiment. We are treated like second-class citizens, but we work and pay our taxes like everyone else.

The emphasis then is placed on highways and urban roads so back roads on which the ordinary residents have to travel are totally ignored.

I guess that they are not called back roads for no reason; they are last on the list of priority.

Due to this, the community is unable to develop, and these hard-to-reach communities suffer from unemployment, poor health and lack of education. Taxi drivers refuse to ply these routes and persons that work late at night have to worry about getting home.

Safety concern

Safety is also another major concern because the roads are poorly lit and force motorists to creep. So unsuspecting persons can be pounced upon by thieves lurking in the bushes.

These bad roads have so many repercussions that should not be taken slightly or lightly.

When citizens protest to address these issues sometimes they are seen as loud and crude, but I think most of the time they are fed up.

They feel as if they are being ignored and who can blame them?

So, I'm using this medium for my concerns to be heard and hopefully addressed.

I am, etc.,

KRISTINA YAPP-CHANG

yappchang20@yahoo.com