The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LONG Island MP Dr Andre Rollins yesterday demanded the government fix longstanding problems affecting healthcare and mailboat services in his constituency, calling it unacceptable for the government to tout progress while ignoring the basic needs of family island communities.

Dr Rollins told Parliament that he’s constantly bombarded with calls from concerned residents about the deteriorating state of essential services on the island.

He described the M/V Mia Dean Ltd, which services southern Long Island, as the island’s economic lifeline, but said unreliable service has left residents facing prolonged waits for medication and other essential supplies.

The Tribune reported earlier this month on residents’ concerns about freight services, with some saying people needing car parts for repairs are forced to endure long waits while residents are unable to purchase groceries in large quantities because of the limited mail boat service.

Erica Darville said her daughter, who suffers from seizures, went without her prescribed medication for five days after her supply ran out because the mail boat did not arrive on time.

Dr Rollins said the company contracted to provide the service doesn’t have a functional boat and is now using someone else's vessel.

However, he noted that rising fuel costs have squeezed the company’s profit margin, while delayed government payments have further strained its operations.

“So they cannot operate for two reasons. Number one, they are making very little on the contract that they have to share with somebody who doesn't have the boat and secondly, the government is not paying them in a timely fashion so in some cases, they're not being paid for 10 or 11 months, and this is unacceptable.”

Dr Rollins said he had raised the matter with Transport Minister Leon Lundy who indicated the matter would be addressed, but no action had yet been taken.

On the healthcare front, Dr Rollins highlighted government’s promise to construct a morgue or facility to house coolers in southern Long Island,

He said the facility would spare residents the distress of transporting their deceased loved ones on the back of trucks or inside vehicles to the morgue in the norther part of the island.

“It is unacceptable that we have a government that claims to be about progress that is ignoring the very fundamental requirements of these family island communities,” he added.

Dr Rollins also called on the government to address outstanding payments owed to property owners in Deadman’s Cay whose land is needed for construction of the new airport.

He said the owners had been advised by their lawyers not to relocate until they receive their payments.

“The works of the airport being constructed, which we are grateful for, is adversely affecting the neighbouring homeowners,” he added. “They are still having to traverse the runway where heavy equipment is operating on a daily basis. Many of these persons are senior citizens.”