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A truck carrying relief supplies to western Jamaica waits at the Mammee Bay toll plaza on Monday.
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Prince Moore reports
The Toll Authority of Jamaica has agreed to allow organisations transporting relief supplies to Western Jamaica free access on toll roads.
In a statement Monday afternoon, the toll operators said the temporary arrangements will allow toll-free access for vehicles engaged in humanitarian, emergency and relief operations.
It applies to all toll roads under the jurisdiction of the Toll Authority of Jamaica.
It says effective Monday, all ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, charitable entities and international partners seeking toll access for relief operations must submit a written request to the Toll Authority.
The requests must include date of travel, organisation name and authorised contact persons, vehicle make or model and licence plate numbers, drivers' full name and licence number, destination or affected communities being served and details of any accompanying security escort.
CEO of the Toll Authority Jerome Palmer says, once the process outlined is completed, a letter will be given that enable access through the toll to provide relief.
The decision of the Toll Authority followed a call from Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas for the government to temporarily exempt vehicles transporting relief supplies to Western Jamaica from paying toll fees.
His call comes after convoy of 11 vehicles from the Portmore Municipal Corporation, laden with relief supplies for residents affected by Hurricane Melissa in Hanover, was delayed at the Mammee Bay toll plaza in St. Ann earlier on Monday.
According to Mayor Thomas, the convoy was held up for some time as toll operators sought to determine the vehicle's status before allowing them to pass.
He said the delay was eventually resolved only after the municipality paid toll fees amounting to $52,000.
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