Foul odour in Lucea driving away motorists

Western Bureau:

Motorists and pedestrians are now avoiding Willie Delliser Boulevard in Lucea, Hanover, because of an overpowering, foul odour, which is believed to be raw sewage that has entered the drains along the roadway from a defective drainpipe.

The situation, which could have serious health implications, was brought to the attention of the Hanover Municipal Corporation during last Thursday’s general meeting by Lucea councillor Easton Edwards.

Edwards told the corporation that his investigations have revealed that a business owner along the roadway recently made adjustments to his drainpiping, resulting in raw sewage now entering the drains along the roadway.

“The town stinks! This is a disaster waiting to happen, as there might soon be an outbreak of some form of disease,” said Edwards, who is demanding that immediate action be taken to address the issue.

Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels, who was in attendance at the meeting, expressed personal disgust with the situation and in addition to demanding an immediate investigation of the matter, said he wants the full extent of the law to be brought to bear if any individual is found guilty of causing the problem.

Dr Kaushal Singh, the medical officer of health for Hanover, who was also in attendance at the meeting, promised immediate action, stating that health officials will be sent to investigate the situation within 24 hours. He even gave a commitment to personally visit the scene immediately after the meeting to get a first-hand view of the situation.

Following his visit, Singh told The Gleaner that he will be putting a team of water safety officers and public health inspectors together to visit the area.

SOURCE OF INFECTION

“Unfortunately, this was not brought to my attention before, so I will ask the team to look at the situation in its totality and make some recommendations. It can mean a closure of some of the areas, and drain cleaning will have to take place” said Singh. “I can say that this situation can be a source of infection, there is no doubt about that, people are just operating on the banks of this waterlogged area, and we need to get a permanent solution to this.”

Vendors in the affected market area told The Gleaner that the problem started about three months ago when some adjustments were made to some drainpipes in the area. One vendor said the stench has been having a negative impact on business.

“Customers are complaining that even their clothes take on the smell of the area when they visit and leave. People have to go straight home and change their clothes after visiting this area, so they prefer to avoid here,” the vendor said.