... Drains are not build-itand-forget-it – Lyew-Ayee Jr

PRIME MINISTER Andrew Holness noted that Jamaica’s drainage system as well as the building of homes on river banks led to some of the devastation that occurred during this week’s heavy rains. His administration plans to fast-track plans to overhaul the country’s drainage system.

This comes as Carvel Stewart, past president of the Incorporated Master Builders Association, said that he is ready to defend his position that Jamaica lacks proper drainage solutions. “What we have are individual areas trying to address the localised drainage requirement,” he said.

Geologist Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr maintains that for a long time, the authorities have had data to act, in addition to education campaigns to influence behaviour change. Regarding the drain plans, he warns that creating suitable systems must not only focus on facilitating large volumes of water, but debris, too.

“We need to understand, drains are not build-it-and-forget-about-it things. You have to build the drains, maintain the drains, keep them clear. But drains are not just about transporting water. It’s also about transporting debris,” he said.

Noting the impact of changing weather patterns, Lyew-Ayee said that the drainage system is only part of a “societal system” that includes development approvals, garbage disposal, and house-building practices that must be reformed to reduce damage and loss due to events like flooding.

“We can blame the National Works Agency (NWA) all we want, but it is not NWA garbage blocking the drains. What is the source of the garbage? There’s a bigger issue that we need to look at in terms of everybody doing their part and not just blaming Government,” he pointed out.