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Damage from flood rains costing gov't almost half a billion dollars

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Minister Desmond McKenzie

 

Losses and damage from last week's heavy rains have reached to almost half a billion dollars.
    
The government on Tuesday afternoon announced what it said is a preliminary estimate. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie addressed the House of Representatives on the matter, giving a breakdown of the areas worst affected and the cost of the damage.

He said the main road network across ten parishes has been damaged, which will cost the government $352 million. 

Following assessments by the ministry's technical team as well as local authorities, the three worst affected parishes, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and St. Thomas, will incur an estimated cost of $139.8 million. St. Elizabeth is estimated at $23.5 million, St. Thomas at $30 million and Clarendon at $86.3 million, the minister broke down. 

The total damage is estimated at $491.8 million. 

Drainage system

Meanwhile, the local government minister has indicated that there needs to be a comprehensive review of the major drainage system across the country.

He said the civil works infrastructure has not matched or exceeded the pace of population growth or physical development. Citing some of the most affected areas of Clarendon, such as Mineral Heights, parts of May Pen and 19 Miles as examples, the minister pointed out that according to the National Works Agency (NWA), the drainage features were "simply overwhelmed by the volume of water that was dumped on the area in such a short space of time."

He noted that the outdated drainage situation has to be addressed, especially since flooding is being repeatedly experienced, even in the absence of hurricanes, tropical storms, and even where drains are already being properly maintained.  

 


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