Local Gov’t Ministry to Provide $15 Million for Repairs to St. Ann’s Bay Market
Emergency restorative works are to be undertaken shortly at the St. Ann’s Bay Market in St. Ann, to make the vending, shopping and commuter experience far more efficient, safe and pleasant. This pledge was made by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, while on a tour of the Market district with Ministry officials and the policy and administrative leadership of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation on September 24.
In pointing out his own observations and concerns about the facility, Minister McKenzie noted that while other works are currently being carried out on some of the Market’s infrastructure, there is a need for speedy rehabilitation of sidewalks and stalls, among other things.
“The vendors expressed to me very clearly when I last came here, the challenges that they are experiencing at the Market, and I promised them that I would conduct an extensive tour, which is why we are here, to take a much closer examination of what is needed for this facility to be operationally safe and pleasant in the short and medium term especially. I share their concerns about the impact of the current state of the Market on their livelihoods, and so,, in addition to the Budgetary allocation which would been made for work to be done here and at other Markets, I am giving instructions for $15 million to be released immediately, to address the most pressing concerns at this Market for the vendors and shoppers alike.
This money will be provided to the St. Ann Municipal Corporation to address among other things, the sidewalks. The Market needs a visual lift, and repainting it will contribute significantly in this regard. I want to make it clear that this allocation will not fix all the matters that are outstanding at this Market, but it will address the immediately critical areas. Where safety and convenience are concerned, we will have to look at the vending stalls as well. I am hoping and expecting that the vendors will co-operate with us and with the Municipal Corporation, as while we will be doing this project now, we still crave their patience and their understanding that Rome was not built in a day. The Government has been steadily improving the Market infrastructure across the country, both through new construction and rehabilitation projects, and in this parish alone, substantial work has been done, including at the Brown’s Town and Ocho Rios Markets.
”I want to give the assurance that the Government in general, and Local Government in particular is attentive to the concerns of the public we serve, and that these improvements will be implemented in a timely manner.”
