Portland residents continue to protest water troubles

Residents in East Portland continue to protest over the absence of piped water, which has left several communities severely affected. 

Following the May 1 and May 6 protest in Fairy Hill, another major roadblock has been mounted in the nearby community of Drapers, bringing vehicular traffic to a halt.

The residents took to the streets from as early as 5:00 a.m. on Monday using old fridges, wooden furniture, plastic and metallic drums, 10-inch water pipes, and other forms of debris to block the main thoroughfare. 

The STAR understands the roadblock stretches from Fairy Hill, to Clear Springs, just outside of Port Antonio. 

The irate residents are demanding that the National Water Commission (NWC) remedy the situation as soon as possible. 

According to them, water was restored to the community last week Saturday, but what came out through the pipes was brown in colour and had a foul odour.

Camini Thompson, a spokesperson for the protesting residents, say they are frustrated over the treatment being dealt out to them by the NWC, while alleging that the people have had enough with what he described as the dirty brown water that they are receiving.

“This morning we are sending a clear message that enough is enough. This is not about any politics, no shower no power. It is just we the people standing up for the people. Water came on Saturday and for one hour and half the water was brown, good enough for only flushing the toilet, “he said.

Thompson added that no trucking is done to assist residents, and that the situation is further compounded by a dust nuisance as a result of the ongoing road construction on the Portland leg of the South coast highway.

- Gareth Davis 

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