Letter of the Day | Hanover – the bypassed parish

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Hanover happens to be the parish in which I was born and where I received my education up to the secondary level. My navel string is there.

Throughout my lifetime, Hanover has been a forgotten parish as regards the attention paid to it by the Jamaican State. The result of this perennial neglect has been that young persons, over the years, have sought refuge in those parishes that the State has prioritised. Our National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante would not be pleased with the treatment received by his parish.

The passage of Hurricane Melissa has provided a clear example of the low esteem in which Hanover is regarded by the State. It would be good for ODPEM and/or those tasked with the management of this disaster to detail what has been done so far to relieve the suffering of the residents of Hanover. In the meantime, sincere thanks and appreciation are due to the private citizens from within and outside the parish who have been providing material assistance to the needy.

A few months ago, a bypass was promised for Lucea. Not long after that, a bypass was also promised for Hopewell. There are those among us who wish to be assured that the promise of these bypasses does not mean that Hanover is going to be bypassed. HELP!

JUSTICE (RET’D) SEYMOUR

PANTON