According to reporting, Prime Minister Andrew Holness ordered the overflow of sewage in the streets in Downtown Kingston fixed, which begs the question–What took the Government so long to address a problem that could quickly morph into a health hazard?
Vendors on Peachon St have reportedly complained for months. In a photograph taken in May 2023, a man attempted to unclog a drain with a 3/4-inch snake. But there are better tools than a snake to do the job. You need a powerful vacuum to suck up whatever is blocking the drains.
The authorities should have drains cleaned at intervals. They should not wait until the drains start overflowing raw sewage into the streets before they do something.
Downtown Kingston is the central financial hub in Jamaica. The place is always buzzing with all kinds of activities. Therefore, the Government must ensure that Downtown is a safe place to go.
The Observer has been highlighting the unending sewage overflow in the street of Jamaica’s capital. But it was when a video the Observer posted on Youtube showing raw sewage in the streets went viral that the Government decided to act.
So, on Thursday afternoon, July 20, 2023, the Government trotted out a team, including Matthew Samuda, the minister responsible for the environment, Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston Western in which the market district sits to assess the problem and announce the Government’s plans.
According to news sources, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who is currently abroad, said the situation “is unacceptable” and ordered immediate action to remedy the problem.
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