Returning resident seeks redress for shoddy construction

THE EDITOR, Madam

IRECALL reading an article where the prime minister was encouraging Jamaicans to return to our beautiful island. I am a 64-year-old returning female resident and I had a contract with a builder in the parish of St Elizabeth. This contract came with a bill of quantity for almost J$18m.

I paid him all that money over a few years. I had to buy several items that were in the bill of quantity to make the home liveable. It has been two years now and I have a leaking roof, mould, faulty electrical wiring, tiles popping up, ceiling with just drywall. The plan calls for 10 manholes, the parish council came looked at the property and suggested I must dig an additional pit and soakaway. I have to additionally get two soakaway and two pits.

I would like to get some answers and also recourse for this shoddy job that was done. The builder is still allowed to go around and do the same thing to others. My question is this, what protection is in place for people and particularly returning residents from these builders who are misleading and literally taking everything from us.

How can we all work in the cold and return to such things, many are not strong enough and will either die from a heart attack or literally kill ourselves. Is this the new Jamaica, is this what everyone returning should prepare themselves for? We need help.

‘The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.”

JACKIE BRAMWELL