Car wash owners deny being gifted water tanks

Car wash owners in Westmoreland are refuting rumours that water tanks on their property were given to them by political representatives.

Ian Hayles, the People's National Party caretaker candidate for Western Westmoreland, has questioned the source of the tanks. After questions from THE STAR, he said, "The level of corruption involved in the distribution of the tanks in Westmoreland needs investigation." He pointed out what he considered discrepancies in claims of tank ownership, including invoices. Hayles stressed the importance of equitable distribution of the tanks in parched Westmoreland.

"The Auditor General needs to take a look at it. I have no problem if the tanks are here for farmers and farmers get it. We are faced with a crisis in Westmoreland. I don't have any problem if residents get the tank also. What I'm against is for one person to get five, 10 or 12 while the majority suffers," he said.

But Sharnakay Lowden and her spouse Tomlin Dixon, owners of the car wash, have denied that were was any political involvement in them acquiring the tanks, and condemned threats made against them to damage their property.

"I'm from St Elizabeth. I moved to the area around eight years ago and I'm just making a legitimate living and I don't follow up politics. Persons who feel like they are entitled to tanks from politicians are threatening to bore holes in our tanks and if they feel like we got them that way, I can see why people would be upset," she stated.

The proprietor of S&H Chemicals, where Dixon said he purchased the tanks, supported his account.

"Him never have the money to pay for all 10 of them, so he paid for nine and then he paid for the other one. The invoice that the guy get is legitimate. No politician never pay me no money and me can contest him fi the man," he said.