Earthquake warning! Morris wary of surge in high-rise construction in KMA
/ Our Today
administrator
Opposition Spokesman on Housing and Sustainable Living, Senator Dr Floyd Morris is expressing major concerns about the growing development of high-rise residential accommodations in the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA).
In a release, Morris said his concerns have been heightened by the recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria that has killed over 37,000 individuals to date.
“I am extremely concerned about this burgeoning situation in the KMA where a plethora of residential properties are being built using the high-rise model. The KMA sits on the Mona fault line and this makes the area extremely susceptible to earthquakes,” Morris said.
According to Morris, with this massive expansion taking place, greater pressure is being placed on the earth’s crust and if we are not careful, it can trigger an earthquake of catastrophic proportion.
“We must ensure that all the necessary measures are being put in place to preserve life if an earthquake should strike the city of Kingston. We have a history of devastating earthquakes, with 1692 and 1907, being the most destructive,” he continued.
Morris is also expressing his concerns about these high-rise building amidst the consistent problems with water in the KMA.
“Every year, we hear of serious water shortage in the city and with climate change taking place, it is likely to get worse. Yet, we have these high-rise buildings that must store water at different levels in case of fire, enveloping the city. Who is approving these housing developments? Are these concerns being taken into consideration?” the senator asked.
He further expressed concerns about the growing wave of high-rise buildings in the city that he believes has implications for privacy.
“These towering buildings are being built in existing residential communities and expose the daily life and living of citizens who have resided in these communities for decades. It is not fair for developers to just come overnight and put up these massive structures that expose the properties of these citizens. We must not forget that our Constitution gives every citizen the right to privacy and what we are witnessing, seem to be a violation of this right.”
He is calling upon the Government and the relevant agencies, to address these concerns. “These are legitimate concerns, and a responsible government must respond to them in order to eradicate the fears of the citizens,” Morris said.
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