Major repairs in the Buff Bay Valley

Banger Ridge, west Portland:

The main thoroughfare from Tranquillity to Banger Ridge in west Portland last week underwent major cleaning up by the National Works Agency (NWA), following several weeks of heavy rainfall that impacted several road ways in the Buff Bay Valley.

Last Tuesday, West Portland Member of Parliament (MP) Daryl Vaz explained that major break-aways and several landslides have been cleared. However, according to Vaz, the Buff Bay Valley area is one way in and one way out, which requires constant attention to keep the roads open during and after weather events.

“We have been able to clean and clear some major break-aways and landslides, temporarily, from Tranquillity to Banger arRidge. NWA was here today with a technical team from Kingston and they have gone back to do the necessary drawings and to make the necessary recommendations,” said Vaz, who is also a government minister.

“It is important because it is only one way in and one way out and we gotta to keep it open at all times. It is a priority of mine and I want to reassure the citizens and residents up here in Banger Ridge, Cherry Hill, and Mahoe that I am on it. Most importantly, this is a farming community from ever since, coffee and cash crops. There was a contract, which started on Monday as a result of the rain from RADA (Rural Agriculture Development Authority) through the Ministry of Agriculture for $17 million to do Mahoe to Wakefield.

“Based on the rains, additionally damage has taken place and the bottom line is that the $17 million will no longer open the entire thoroughfare. The fact that coffee is on the last now, people want to get back and prepare their farms to make sure that they are ready for the planting season including those farmers planting cash crops,” Vaz added.

According to Vaz, approximately $140 million was been made available for road patching, bushing, and drain cleaning for the constituencies of East and West Portland, which will allow for the improvement of road surface across the parish.

“There is also $150 million specifically for 10 roads that have been scoped for full rehabilitation. Is it enough? Not based on what has transpired with the recent heavy rains, but I’m thankful and we are going to use it optimally to make sure that we can do as much on the road as possible with the funds. There is going to be more that needs to be done, but it is a start and it is really a big issue across Jamaica as it relates to the state of road ways following the heavy rain,” Vaz concluded.

Gareth Davis Sr