Clarendon transport operators protest poor road conditions

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

Scores of transport operators in Clarendon took to the streets on Monday morning to air their grievances regarding poor road conditions.

 

The operators, who withdrew their services, say they have been operating at a loss after forking out several thousands to repair their vehicles.

 

They say the conditions are especially poor along the May Pen to Old Harbour, Longville Park to Old Habour and Longville park to May Pen routes.

 

They argue that the previous repairs were poorly done.

 

One operator, Gawayne Easy, claims his father lost his life as a result of the bad roads. 

 

"A motorist killed him last Saturday and his excuse was he was swerving from a pothole.... and if you check di road right now dem full a pothole fi true," he acknowledged. 

 

Mr. Easy urged the government to urgently fix the road or "Mr. MP, Mr. Prime Minister, mi a call pon unuh, fix up di road man. As a matter of fact, sell out di Chinese dem di main road and mek dem fix it. We will pay some toll...so we can have good road, and di car dem preserve and life preserve as well," he said.  

 

Another operator, Andrew Robinson, said operators have had to transport sand and stones to fill potholes, but the situation has become untenable. 

 

"The road, yuh can swim in deh.... You see di hole dem...truck affi a run from dat out deh suh," he lamented. 

 

The operators say they will continue to highlight the issue until the roads are repaired.

 

In the meantime, Mayor of May Pen Joel Williams admitted that the road is "in a terrible state".