Portmore mayor calls for toll exemption on relief vehicles

Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas is calling on the Government to temporarily exempt vehicles transporting relief supplies to western Jamaica from paying toll fees.

His call comes after a convoy of 11 vehicles from the Portmore City Municipality, carrying relief supplies for residents affected by Hurricane Melissa in Hanover, was delayed at the Mammee Bay toll plaza earlier today.

According to Mayor Thomas, the convoy was held up for some time as toll operators sought to determine the vehicles' status before allowing them to pass. He said the delay was resolved only after the municipality paid toll fees amounting to $52,000.

"I believe that vehicles belonging to reputable organizations transporting relief supplies to western Jamaica should be exempt from toll charges until some level of normalcy returns to the affected areas in western Jamaica," Thomas said.

The mayor added that the Government should act swiftly to prevent similar situations from occurring as the national relief effort continues.

According to him, the authorities should consider this suggestion and make the necessary adjustments to facilitate such a move.

Thomas, who led the convoy himself, described the incident as an unnecessary obstacle at a time when "every hour counts" in delivering critical aid to affected communities.

Relief operations are ongoing across western parishes, including Hanover, St James, and Westmoreland, which were among the hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

- Ruddy Mathison

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