Caledonia farm road rehab brings joy to St Catherine community

THE REHABILITATION of a farm road under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) programme in Caledonia district, North East St Catherine, has left residents singing the praises of the authorities who made it happen.

Justice of the Peace Norman Douglas said that, for more than 30 years, the Caledonia road conditions threatened limbs and lives of many, so there are reasons to be thankful for the road in the rural farming community.

“The road was so bad that when my grandfather started ailing we had to sling him on a chair from home to get to the main road, so he could get medical attention. No vehicle could managed the (track) road, a dust bowl when dry and a mud lake when wet, but with this project that has now changed and I am thankful,” Douglas said.

Community member Semoya Taylor brought the plight of residents to the member of parliament, Kerensia Morrison, by way of a letter that resulted in representation made to RADA and the subsequent rehabilitation.

“I am 18 years old and have seen how my mother struggled with goods for her grocery shop, my grandmother struggle to the market and community members get muddied when it rains, not even donkeys could managed the track, so I am thankful to the MP’s representation, as this is a momentous occasion,” Taylor said.

Meanwhile, Morrison acknowledged that community activism can bring positive changes. The legislator said it was pleasing to see the appreciation shown by the community for such a small project.

“The constituency is riddled with bad farm roads and, under the SPARK programme, other divisions will benefit, but we are here today and are pleased with RADA as this represents a start,” Morrison said on Saturday.

“When I made representation to RADA, the project was estimated at $7.4 million, and it started with the entrance. [It was] hard for the material to be drawn here, but with determination we are here in Caledonia,” the MP said.

Meanwhile, Councillor Correll Davis, of the Mount Industry division in which Caledonia falls, was tasked with the continued development of the community.

“I must say that I will be making representation for streetlight and for further development of this road,” Davis said.

PHOTOS BY RASBERT TURNER The Caledonia Road in northeast St Catherine.

Member of Parliament Kerensia Morrison being present with a token by Semoya Taylor on March 23, 2024 at the opening of the Caledonia Road.

Another angle of the rural road.

Community member Gregory Prince singing during the opening ceremony.

Community member Winston ‘Shane’ Francis with Morrison.