Torrington Park residents grateful for repair work

Residents living in the Torrington Park housing scheme in St Andrew said they are expressing gratitude to the relevant authorities for rebuilding a staircase that collapsed last year.

When THE STAR visited the area yesterday, construction workers were adding the final touches to the staircase. As she sat under a tree with two other women, Joy Moore wore a vibrant smile. She pointed to the building, stating that the area has got a much needed facelift.

"Mi want to tell dem thanks fi di staircase because the man dem know what dem a do and the steps dem wide. Anytime yuh see things happen, don't question God, because the staircase fall and we get a brand new ting right now. The workers dem very talented, mi tell you say dem bad. The only thing mi would ask the Government for is some new furniture because the water mash up weh mi have. We don't have to fret for our children any more say building ago drop pon dem," Moore said.

For years, a section of the apartment complex crumbled slowly, and was an accident waiting to happen. Last November, the staircase did give way; the collapse injured a senior citizen. The repair project was later funded by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. Ann Allen said the rebuilding of the staircase is not the only thing causing residents to breath a sigh of relief.

"Dem fix all we house top and give us new toilet bowl. Di other day rain fall until it can't fall no more and mi could lay down inna mi bed and sleep comfortably. Normally, mi have to draw away mi bed and still get wet. All when mi set pan, mi still have to swim outta di room, but nutten like dat now. Mi just wah tell everybody thanks for everything. Dem all paint the building fi we too," Allen said.

- S.M.L.