Government Approves Portland’s Buff Bay Valley Road Repairs

Government has given instructions for repair works to begin on roads in the Buff Bay Valley area of Portland, which have been extensively damaged by recent flooding.
Minister of State for Project Implementation and Service Delivery, in the Office of the Prime Minister, Daryl Vaz, says instructions have been given to the National Works Agency (NWA), through the Ministry of Transport and Works, to give priority attention to the road repairs for this area.
He noted that Government had originally approved some J$299-million, under a contract with Surrey Paving and Aggregates, for the repairs which would include the construction of retaining walls. However, further damage has been caused by recent flooding which will call for an additional $350-million.
Mr. Vaz said instructions have been given, to utilise the funds under the contract with Surrey Paving, to begin repair works to allow residents to move about in the area. He noted that there were a total of four breakaways which have made several areas impassable.
While the NWA awaits further approval for the additional expenditure, the contractors have been instructed to create temporary access from Norbrook to St Petersrock, through to Hollywell. The Parish office has also been instructed to clean drains and remove land slippage in the Buff Bay Valley and to put in place temporary foot bridges, to allow students access to Cascade School. Temporary access will also be created through Coffee Farm, at Section, in order to bypass breakaways in that area.