‘My hands are tied’

Councillor Jacqueline Lewis said that she alerted the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) to the potential dangers of several uncovered storm drains in the Norman Gardens Division several years ago, but nothing was done to address the situation despite her pleas.

The councillor told The Gleaner on Tuesday that after submitting a list of the problematic areas and not seeing any action being taken by the KSAMC, she urged the National Works Agency (NWA) to cover the drains.

The situation was thrust into the spotlight this week after dash cam footage emerged showing the moment when a visually impaired man fell into one of the drains at the intersection of Homestead and Windward roads in east Kingston, resulting in injuries to his face.

As many persons called on Lewis to ensure that the situation is addressed soon, she told The Gleaner that the matter was out of her hands as the KSMAC has repeatedly told her that the NWA is the responsible agency.

“I spoke to the NWA several times. I called them this morning (Tuesday) and I called them yesterday, and the response that I got is that, ‘The estimate [for the repair] is being done’ for four years, and a blind man fell in there [and] mash up his face. That’s ridiculous! What am I supposed to do as a councillor? My hands are tied,” she told our news team immediately after Tuesday’s KSAMC monthly sitting.

“There’s nothing I can do but rely on the relevant authority to fix the drain and it’s been four years outstanding,” Lewis, a former schoolteacher, continued in frustration.

When The Gleaner visited the area shortly afterwards, residents came to the councillor’s defence.

“We know a no she [responsible]! She a try her best and she said dem tell her seh the estimate is being done to fix it, but four years is a long time, and that show yuh seh dem nah work wid her,” one man said.

One woman related that the now-deceased Jermaine ‘Marvin’ Anderson fell into the same uncovered drain shortly after being shot by gunmen in the area on January 7, 2022.

“Maybe a not even the gunshot kill him,” she suggested. “Maybe a di lick weh him get on him head when him drop in.”

The residents pointed out a second uncovered storm drain just metres away as they also called for urgent attention to the issue, especially with the Wilbert Stewart Basic School and the Windward Medical Centre located nearby.

After approaching the city engineer on Tuesday after the KSAMC meeting, Lewis was told that someone would be sent to block the area off with yellow tape, but she said that was not enough.

When questioned by The Gleaner, Mayor Delroy Williams promised to have dialogue about the issue with the relevant personnel and provide an update.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com