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Hanover residents block sections of North Coast Highway in protest
Fires set by residents to debris they used to block the road in Montpelier on monday, June 27.
Chaos reigned in Hanover Monday morning, June 27, as residents of Montpelier blocked a section of the North coast Highway for nearly a mile.
The residents were protesting against the lack of potable water and proper roads in their communities.
There was also a clash between members of the two major political parties.
Traffic came to a halt along the busy highway, which connects the resort towns of Montego Bay in St. James and Negril, Westmoreland as scores of residents from the hilly community of Montpelier took the trek down and used all sorts of debris to block the road then lit them.
They say they are fed up with the water and road situation.
Lloyd Hill, the Mayor of Lucea, who is also Cuncillor for the area, said he understands the residents' plight and is in support of them.
But the situation took an uglier turn when Barrington Grey, the Jaamica Labour Party Caretaker for Eastern Hanover, accused Member of Parliament D.K. Duncan of playing politics and withholding funds earmarked for roadwork.
The accusations irked Mr. Duncan and a verbal clash ensued.
He then told RJR News that the road situation stems from victimization.
"In five constituencies, they have put up about four signs about fixing roads, which should have been done in phase one (but) rehabilitation has not commenced on one single road in either Hanover or Westmoreland under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme," Mr. Duncan said.
The roads have since been cleared and the police are maintaining a strong presence in the area.
Fires set by residents to debris they used to block the road in Montpelier on monday, June 27.
Chaos reigned in Hanover Monday morning, June 27, as residents of Montpelier blocked a section of the North coast Highway for nearly a mile.
The residents were protesting against the lack of potable water and proper roads in their communities.
There was also a clash between members of the two major political parties.
Traffic came to a halt along the busy highway, which connects the resort towns of Montego Bay in St. James and Negril, Westmoreland as scores of residents from the hilly community of Montpelier took the trek down and used all sorts of debris to block the road then lit them.
They say they are fed up with the water and road situation.
Lloyd Hill, the Mayor of Lucea, who is also Cuncillor for the area, said he understands the residents' plight and is in support of them.
But the situation took an uglier turn when Barrington Grey, the Jaamica Labour Party Caretaker for Eastern Hanover, accused Member of Parliament D.K. Duncan of playing politics and withholding funds earmarked for roadwork.
The accusations irked Mr. Duncan and a verbal clash ensued.
He then told RJR News that the road situation stems from victimization.
"In five constituencies, they have put up about four signs about fixing roads, which should have been done in phase one (but) rehabilitation has not commenced on one single road in either Hanover or Westmoreland under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme," Mr. Duncan said.
The roads have since been cleared and the police are maintaining a strong presence in the area.
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