Gov’t Allocating $35m for Road Repairs in St. Thomas

The Government will be allocating $35 million to repair several roads in St. Thomas that were damaged during the recent flood rains.

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the funds, which are expected to be disbursed on Monday (June 5) will be used to repair several breakaways.

This provision is in addition to $30 million, which he said was allocated to assist in clearing several roads across the parish that were blocked also as a result of the rains.

The Minister was speaking with journalists during a tour of communities in St. Thomas on Friday, June 2.
While pointing out that not all of the damaged roads would be repaired, Mr. McKenzie assured that a short-term solution was being pursued.
“As more funds are available, we will ensure that disbursement is (done) in a timely manner, so that (the) response to the needs of the parish can be as quick as possible,” he said.

In this regard, the Minister said it was imperative that the National Works Agency and St. Thomas Municipal Council discuss how this would be effectively undertaken, while commending both entities on their quick response in clearing the blocked roads recently.

Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie emphasized the need to reduce the risks which roadways with breakaways posed for users, until the repairs are carried out.

To this end, he has asked officers attached to the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation to immediately erect warning signs in the vicinity of these areas in the interim.

Mr. McKenzie also indicated that a multi-agency approach is being embarked on to carry out clean up and recovery work in the communities of Cave Valley and Douglas Castle in St. Ann, which suffered extensive flooding and damage.