OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has warned that victimisation of People's National Party supporters in the distribution of relief assistance in St Ann will be strongly rejected.

Simpson Miller issued the warning on Saturday during a tour of sections of Ocho Rios and adjoining districts, which were badly affected by landslides and flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

She said some residents who suffered from the disaster complained that they had been bypassed by state-relief agents.

Simpson Miller has described the matter as a major concern for the party.

"I am making a special appeal to the prime minister to ensure that all the people who suffered are given assistance," she said in an interview with reporters.

Her tour came only one day after Prime Minister Bruce Golding led a team of Government officials to the resort town of Ocho Rios.

Golding spent most of the time spearheading the effort to clear Main Street, Ocho Rios, of mud and nearly two feet of water, which have cramped business activity since Thursday.

The prime minister also promised to put in place the necessary measures to improve the drainage system in Ocho Rios.

He said the flooding of the town clearly indicated that the drainage system was inadequate.

Golding also said based on the quantity of mud dumped unto the town by flood waters, there were signs of serious environmental damage in the area, which needed to be addressed immediately.

The PM has instructed several relief agencies to ensure that the damage is assessed and that the affected people are given the necessary assistance to help restore normality.