Dear Editor,
There is a stretch of reserve land that borders the right-hand side of the Montrose main road. On November 27, 2017, residents of Montrose were taken aback by the fencing of a large portion of reserve land by a businessman and his wife.
The reserve land is a major part of the drainage system for Montrose and the adjoining areas. It is through this stretch of land that water flows to access the outfall which channels the water to and through the koker via the Montrose pump. This reserve thus plays a crucial role in draining heavy rainfall or any overtopping of the sea defences.
Work in progress on reserve
A massive piece of developmental work is being undertaken by the businessman’s family. Their development of this reserve compromises an already depressed drainage system. In an effort to ascertain whose property the reserve belongs to, we shared our concerns with the Hon. Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon; the staff of the Regional Democratic Council Region Four, Triumph; Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Senior Communications Officer of GuySuCo, Audreyanna Thomas; and the staff and councillors of the Better Hope NDC, in whose jurisdiction Montrose lies. So far, there has been no favourable response to the compromising of the drainage system in a world of climate change. The residents of Montrose would prefer not to be the recipients of flood-relief and sanitation hampers.
We learnt from Audreyanna Thomas, the staff/councillors of the Better Hope/LBI NDC and the staff of the Ministry of Communities that a lease was issued. This lease was issued and is held at the Better Hope/LBI NDC. It is unclear for what purpose the reserve lease was issued, but what we can say is that it is to our detriment. We, the residents of Montrose, would like to know whether this stretch of reserve land is owned by the sea defence Council, Better Hope/LBI NDC, GuySuCo, or if it is property of the region. Further, we would like to know who issued the lease?
