Sunday, December 16, 2019

THE GLEANER, MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS C11 Bryan Miller/Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU: M OTOR I S T S AND pedestrians are now avoiding Willie Delliser Boulevard in Lucea, Hanover, because of an overpowering, foul odour, which is believed to be raw sewage that has entered the drains along the roadway from a defective drainpipe. The situation, which could have serious health implications, was brought to the attention of the Hanover Municipal Corporation during last Thursday’s general meeting by Lucea councillor Easton Edwards. Edwards told the corporation that his investigations have revealed that abusiness owner along the roadway recently made adjustments to his drainpiping, resulting in rawsewage now entering the drains along the roadway. “The town stinks! This is a disaster waiting to happen, as there might soon be an outbreak of some form of disease,” said Edwards, who is demanding that immediate action be taken to address the issue. Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels, who was in attendance at the meeting, expressed personal disgust with the situation and in addition to demanding an immediate investigation of the matter, said he wants the full extent of the law to be brought to bear if any individual is found guilty of causing the problem. Dr Kaushal Singh, the medical officer of health for Hanover, who was also in attendance at the meeting, promised immediate action, stating that health officials will be sent to investigate the situation within 24 hours. He even gave a commitment to personally visit the scene immediately after the meeting to get a first-hand view of the situation. Following his visit, Singh told TheGleaner that hewill be putting a team of water safety officers and public health inspectors together to visit the area. SOURCE OF INFECTION “Unfortunately, this was not brought to my attention before, so I will ask the team to look at the situation in its totality and make some recommendations. It can mean a closure of some of the areas, and drain cleaning will have to take place” said Singh. “I can say that this situation can be a source of infection, there is no doubt about that, people are just operating on the banks of this waterlogged area, and we need to get a permanent solution to this.” Vendors in the affected market area told The Gleaner that the problem started about three months ago when some adjustments were made to some drainpipes in the area. One vendor said the stench has been having a negative impact on business. “Customers are complaining that even their clothes take on the smell of the area when they visit and leave. People have to go straight home and change their clothes after visiting this area, so they prefer to avoid here,” the vendor said. Foul odour in Lucea driving away motorists SAMUELS MORE THAN 400 of Clarendon’s seniors converged at the Vendors’ Arcade in May Pen to enjoy the annual treat hosted by May Pen businessman Tony Smatt recently. Decked out in their Sunday best, the seniors sat under a huge tent and feasted on the deliciously prepared food, while enjoying the music in the background. For one senior who gave her name only as‘Debbie’, it was her first time going to the dinner and she said she could “kiss the person who made it possible”. “I’m enjoyingmyself and a feel really good,”she said, in between feasting on the food provided. For Julett Evans, who is also a first-timer at the treat, she is already looking ahead to 2020. “It is the first time I am getting a treat like this and that is not from my family,” she gushed. ‘Sheila’, who is not a stranger to the treat, said she welcomes the opportunity for the treat as she doubts she will be receiving another like it. Smatt, whose family served along with the rest of volunteers for the day, said he used to host a children’s treat but he realised that the seniors were being left out, so he decided to switch focus. Now in its ninth year, the treat, which Smatt said costs a hefty sum to host, is worth every cent, just by seeing the look of enjoyment and appreciation from the seniors and not-so-seniors, who turn out to be fêted. He said his passion for charity was fostered by his own father, who used to do the same thing for over 40 years. – Cecelia Campbell-Livingston Businessman fêtes seniors in May Pen Some of the seniors at the treat hosted for them by businessman Tony Smatt in May Pen recently.