Church Pen residents grateful for $60m infrastructural upgrade

The project is part of a national community infrastructural programme announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his 2019/20 Budget Presentation in April.

The prime minister informed the country that 49 state-built housing settlements will be upgraded to the tune of $2.5 billion. 

Church Pen is among 16 St Catherine communities earmarked for upgrade under the programme at a cost of $60 million each.

The project will cover a range of upgrading works, including roadways, sewerage and river training, among other infrastructural development.

Built about 1964, the small community of approximately 80 houses has been in a poor state for decades. However, 10 years ago, some road works were carried out but failed to last long enough because of poor workmanship, residents told Old Harbour News during a recent tour of the area.

In expressing gratitude for being selected in the first batch under the programme, which the Holness administration intend to continue in the next fiscal year, it is the wish of residents that their age-old concerns will be no more after the work is complete.

“We give thanks that dem ago do some work in here,” said Janore ‘Ricky’ Graham who has spent all his 48 years living in the community. Graham now operates a shop – Ricky One Stop Liquor and Snack – at the front of the yard and is well aware of the issues.

“Mi just hope se dem put in some proper drainage this time,” he added.

Poor drainage has been the cry for the people of Church Pen Housing Scheme for more than half a century. In front of Ricky’s premises resembles a dust bowl during dry periods, but are quickly transform into a mud lake whenever it rains.

“The dust is killing us,” lamented Doy Gavin when we stopped by her house. A resident of over 30 years, Mrs. Gavin and longtime neighbours Mauldine Smith and Rochester Scott all expressed gratitude for the highly anticipated works but admitted they were not aware of any consultation done with residents.

Smith, who bought her house in the community 42 year ago, would like to see a perimeter wall constructed between the Church Pen Cemetery and the community. 

The installation of drainage and sidewalks are expected to be among the new features when work is complete. But for Scott who moved into the community in 1970 he hopes another important issue is addressed as well.

“There is a fire hydrant down there so, and a long, long time now it not working,” he pointed out to Old Harbour News. “Suppose there is a fire, weh dem ago do.”

The residents also brought to our attention the community centre, which they say has been underutilized for some time now.

Gavin suggests it be used as homework centre for the children in the community, as well as accommodate certified skilled training programmes.

The facility is in excellent condition and once provided internet access before thieves broke into the building and stole the computers and router.

Other communities to benefit from this exercise are Lime Tree Grove, Cromarty Grove, Ebony Vale, Hamilton Gardens, Riverside Park, Southborough, Cumberland, Portsmouth, New Works, Hellshire Park and Westchester.