The National Works Agency (NWA) has commenced a major flood mitigation effort in the central parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon. The programme of works which is valued at over 70 million dollars will result in nearly 100 major drains and roadways being impacted.
Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says that some 50 million dollars is being spent in Clarendon to carry out work in problem plagued areas such as Lionel Town, Rocky Point, Portland Cottage, Gimmie Mi Bit, Longsville and Anenon Town.
In Manchester, over 30 critical drains are being cleaned, through a budget of 14 million dollars. Among the areas that are being targeted are drains along the roadway from Whitney Turn to Williamsfield, Old England to Royal Flats, Clifton to Cedar Grove and Mile Gully.
Mr. Shaw says drains are also been cleaned in the parish of St. Elizabeth. Eight million dollars is being spent to clean drains in areas such as Holland Bamboo, New Market, Fullerswood, Middle Quarters, Goshen, Pepper, Balaclava, Southfield, and Siloah.
The drain cleaning programme is part of the NWA’s preparation for the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane season, which begins, next Monday, June 1. Just under 250 million dollars is being spent on the first phase of the programme.
