Portmore Mayor chides Health Minister for unfulfilled promise to deal with mosquito nuisance

  

Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas has called out Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, for failing to fulfill a promise that could alleviate the mosquito nuisance in Portmore, St. Catherine.

 

His comment comes as the Health Ministry works to stave off disease outbreaks by reducing the mosquito population following Hurricane Beryl.

 

Portmore residents have long complained about mosquito infestation and have called for increased fogging activities.

 

The first local case of the vector-borne Zika virus was recorded in Portmore.

 

Recognising the vulnerability, Mayor Thomas says advanced discussions were had for the training of temporary vector control workers.

 

But he says Minister Tufton abandoned the commitment given during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

"In the same room, we said to him that we have a serious mosquito problem in Portmore and we have identified men and women that can be trained.... And he said yes, that is something that he is going to give serious consideration, and from COVID til now, no training, nothing at all happened. But I hear him, that him going to engage private pest control people," he complained.   

 

The Mayor was speaking at a ceremony at Cedar Grove High School in St. Catherine on Sunday.

 

He had previously indicated that the municipal corporation is not responsible for fogging.