Azan to address Newport West shame

Richard Azan, state minister in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, has assured members of the Newport West shipping district that he will move swiftly to address the deplorable state of the roads in the community.

Azan, who toured the shipping community last Tuesday, gave his assurance during a meeting with stakeholders at the Shipping Association of Jamaica.

"I apologise for the inconvenience ... I don't see how you can operate in these conditions," he said.

For more than 15 years, shipping industry representatives have lamented the poor road conditions, poor drainage and, more recently, the dust nuisance that has been caused by road works which commenced 14 months ago. The dust has severely affected the health of employees in the industry, with most suffering from respiratory illnesses.

The minister said he would be making contact with the contractor responsible for the road project in an effort to have the matter addressed urgently, with even greater emphasis on the alleviation of the cloud of dust hanging over the community.

At the same time, the minister asked members of the industry to partner with the Government to conduct a beautification project in the community. He committed to contacting the relevant authorities at the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation and the Ministry of Health to make arrangements, in partnership with industry members, to improve the community. "Let us put a team together to work and see how best we can give the place a facelift," Azan said.

Members of the business district agreed to the proposed partnership, noting that they stand ready to beautify the community and work together to realise the vision of an industrial park for Newport West.

Calls were also made by business operators for the Government to craft a development plan for the Port of Kingston. Azan advised that such a plan existed, however, funding was a problem. The members reiterated their willingness to assist the Government to execute these plans.

A meeting has been planned for today to further discuss plans for the completion of the road project in the community.

CAPTION: Sue-Ann Panton (second right), of Jamaica Freight and Shipping, shows Richard Azan (left), state minister in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, photographs of children swimming in flooded potholes in Newport West, while Roger Hinds (second left), president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, and Michael Clarke, project manager representing the National Works Agency on the Newport West road works, look on. Azan toured the port community last Tuesday to assess the poor road conditions.