Golding Tours Communities Worst Affected By Flooding

Newly elected leader of the opposition, Mark Golding toured sections of East Rural St. Andrew, the communities worst affected by severe weather conditions associated with recent tropical storms.

On Tuesday in parliament, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the cost could surpass the more than $2 billion dollars initially tabulated.

Golding, however after assessing the extent of the damage, says that estimated price tag may double .

The tour started off in Gordon Town where sections of the road have been severely damaged and made impassable due to heavy rains 

According to Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, who assessed the extent of the damage, it will take a long time to restore the roadway.

Opposition spokesman for Transport and Works, Mikael Phillips points out that funds allocated annually to maintenance and mitigation work across the island are insufficient.

While there, Golding and his team spoke with residents who are still mourning the tragic loss.

The last stop was in Nine Miles Bull Bay, where displaced residents saw their houses covered in silt. According to Golding the cause of the devastation results from a lack of care and training of the nearby chalky river.

Members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the National Works Agency (NWA) have been deployed to the community to assist in cleaning up efforts.

Robian Williams has the details: