While the country remained under threat from Gustav yesterday, drain-cleaning exercises were put in place across several sections of the island.

Keith Blake, councillor for the Independence City division in Portmore, St Catherine, started the cleaning of major drainage systems in his division.

As several trucks and tractors were being used to clear the thick bushes and garbage from the sewage-filled gully, Blake told The Gleaner that an $8 million cleaning exercise was already in place (which assisted with the cleaning of drains in several communities) but the threat of a potential hurricane prompted the cleaning of the Waterford main drain.

The main drain runs along the highway near the Passagefort and Waterford communities.

Spurred growth

The councillor said the raw sewage which comes from the communities of Waterford and Gregory Park had spurred the growth of trees and grass in the gully, making it difficult and expensive to maintain.

"Only several months ago the drain was cleaned," Blake said.

Additional funding is being sought by the councillor from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, to carry out a wide scale drain cleaning project.

Meanwhile, residents of the Gregory Park and Hamilton Gardens communities fear the worst if the hurricane should make landfall.