Tag: National Works Agency

Dust upon dust: Jamaican rural dwellers continue to suffer from highway construction

April 17, 2022

We often use the words “justice” and “environment/climate change” (depending on the situation) together – not opposing each other, but closely linked. In my last blog post, I shared Professor Carolyn Cooper’s thoughts on the closure of a very popular beach near Kingston for the past two years. This is an environmental injustice. The quality … More Dust upon dust: Jamaican rural dwellers continue to suffer from highway construction

Citizens’ Rights to the City: Community representatives request a meeting with Kingston’s Mayor

March 12, 2022

Parts of the city of Kingston – the once-leafy suburbs in particular – are undergoing a wave of “development.” I put this word in quotation marks because, nine times out of ten, “development” (or “investment”) is basically about making money. Nothing wrong with that, you might say – but it cannot be unchecked and unregulated; … More Citizens’ Rights to the City: Community representatives request a meeting with Kingston’s Mayor

Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

January 29, 2022

Dr. Lucien Jones is Vice Chair and Convenor of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), which is chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Dr. Jones must sometimes feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, on the terrible numbers of Jamaicans (close to 500 last year!) killed on our roads – but he never gives … More Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

A petition to try to repair the damage caused by road works in beautiful San San, Portland

October 20, 2021

For me, the worst thing is the total lack of consultation with the community. Not even an attempt to do so. For that reason alone, I ask you to kindly sign the petition created by resident Marc Goodman regarding the destruction of the once lovely hillside above the Blue Lagoon (Blue Hole) beauty spot. It … More A petition to try to repair the damage caused by road works in beautiful San San, Portland

JET says major roadworks in Portland, Jamaica being undertaken with no public consultation and no environmental impact assessment

October 11, 2021

It is not only the famous beauty spot that is San San and the surroundings of Blue Lagoon, in Eastern Portland, that have been affected by the South Coast Highway Improvement Project. The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has been doing some research and found that there was no community consultation on large stretches of the … More JET says major roadworks in Portland, Jamaica being undertaken with no public consultation and no environmental impact assessment

Stand Up for Jamaica adds its voice: Urgent, stop the work on San San now

October 9, 2021

Further to my last blog post on the ongoing environmental destruction in East Portland, I am sharing below a press release from Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ). Like many other Jamaicans, they are shocked by the ongoing destruction of a relatively untouched beauty spot, which is dear to the hearts of many (both locals and … More Stand Up for Jamaica adds its voice: Urgent, stop the work on San San now

Environmental destruction in San San, Portland, Jamaica: What a travesty

October 8, 2021

There is a very beautiful area of Jamaica, often described as “lush,” which we have been visiting for around forty years or so now, in the eastern part of the island. It is in the parish of Portland. I have written, shared photos, brought family and friends to stay, spent many happy hours in the … More Environmental destruction in San San, Portland, Jamaica: What a travesty

PM Holness, NEPA, KSAMC, NWA – Is Anyone Listening? Communities’ calls for Green, People-Friendly Urban Planning Go Unanswered

May 2, 2021

I wrote recently about the “uglification” of Kingston. While downtown Kingston is (thankfully) getting some of the attention it deserves, further uptown it’s a developer’s paradise, a free for all. This article from the Golden Triangle Neighbourhood Association – which represents everyone who lives, works, or does business in the area – points out that … More PM Holness, NEPA, KSAMC, NWA – Is Anyone Listening? Communities’ calls for Green, People-Friendly Urban Planning Go Unanswered

ICYMI in Jamaica, December 29: The Sam Sharpe Day Edition

December 30, 2020

Well, Christmas is over. We tried to make the best of it. Apart from a young man who insisted on riding his noisy motorbike up and down our street, Christmas was also quiet – perhaps because of the 7:00 p.m. curfew on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, in some places the illegal parties continued … More ICYMI in Jamaica, December 29: The Sam Sharpe Day Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica: November 21, 2020, The Bad Dog Edition

November 21, 2020

It has been quite a week. The debate over the threatened mining operation in Puerto Bueno Mountain (Dry Harbour Mountain) dominated much of the local media (including social media), with many radio interviews, discussions, letters to the editor and columns, such as this piece by environmentalist Peter Espeut (who does not mince his words). Besides … More ICYMI in Jamaica: November 21, 2020, The Bad Dog Edition