THE EDITOR, Sir:

The president and members of the Citizens' Association of the Passagefort Housing Scheme are requesting immediate improvements to the street lighting in the community.

More street lights are needed. The need is greatest along Palmetto East, North and West. There are many utility poles without lights. On Palmetto East, many of the timber poles were replaced with concrete ones sequel to Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Many of the poles replaced had lights on them before the hurricane. None was put back on the concrete poles.

In some cases, the residents have to be using their domestic lights to illuminate the immediate vicinity. At the southern end of the road, the need for the lights is mitigated by the lights shining from over the MegaMart compound.

The residents are deeply concerned about the lack of light at the pedestrian crossing located at the western end of the Portmore toll road. Many of them commented that the authorities who are responsible pay scant regard for the users of that crossing. To the residents, it appears that lights are provided only for the protection and collection of the toll while none is provided at the pedestrian crossing for the safety of lives and property. They further commented that this situation reminds them of apartheid in South Africa where money was protected while lives were ignored.

I am, etc.,

VERNAL RODGERS

Passagefort Citizens' Association

Waterford P.O. Box 98

St Catherine