For several years, the residents of Giblatore, rural St Catherine, have felt neglected as the roads leading to the community have not been fixed, and their pleas for a more accessible water source have gone unacknowledged.

Peter Richards, a resident in the community for 34 years, said the last time he saw the road being repaired was 25 years ago. "Mi father a di last man fix it," he said.

decrease in the population

He said the poor state of the road has created a number of problems for residents and has contributed to a decrease in the population. "The people have been leaving the community because nutten nah gwaan up here," he said.

Richards said taxis hardly operate in the community because of the condition and, as soon as they get a road licence, most of them move to routes on the main road.

Lucius Williams, a resident and taxi driver in the community, said making a living, by carrying passengers in the community, was difficult and was proving to be a loss for the drivers. "In di morning everybody a go down, you get a load, or in the evening when everybody a come in. But, in the middle of the day, it nuh mek nuh sense." he said.

spend a lot of money

He said the taxi drivers have to spend a lot of money on front-end parts for their vehicles. He notes that if the road is repaired this would relieve some of the stress they are facing.

But it is not only the taxi drivers who are losing money. Richards, who rents properties for a living, has also been losing money. "Because di road so bad, as soon as mi get a next tenant dem move out cause di road too bad," he said.

'dem a go buy some drum'

As for the water problems, Richards said that has been an issue ever since he has lived in the community. "Dem say dem a go buy some drum and give us, but that no come in yet," he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the councillor for the community were unsuccessful, as his cell phone rang without answer.