Negril to get much-needed market next year

Western Bureau:

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has given a commitment that a fruits and vegetable market will be constructed in the resort town of Negril in the next financial year.

Addressing a community meeting, dubbed 'Negril, Let's Talk', at the Negril Community Centre last Thursday, McKenzie outlined that provisions will be made for the construction of the market in the 2019-2020 financial year.

In its push to have a market facility for vendors in the resort town, the Negril Chamber of Commerce recently identified lands and had a model design drawing done. However, they say they are in need of financial assistance from the Government to do the construction.

McKenzie told the gathering that he has visited the location for the market and has seen the drawings. He added that he was told that the original cost is somewhere between $60 and $75 million for the construction. Describing it as a badly needed facility, the local government minister underscored that it is the responsibility of his ministry to undertake such a project and, subsequently, gave a commitment to undertake the work.

"In the new budget cycle which we are now working on, I am pleased to announce in Negril, and this is not a promise, this is a commitment, that in the new budget year, provisions will be made for the construction of the long-awaited market for the town of Negril," declared McKenzie.

He further stated that his ministry is committed to building markets, making mention of one he said is now being built in Port Maria on which construction is well advanced; also of improvements done on the Black River market in St Elizabeth.

Several issues affecting the resort town of Negril were mentioned in the meeting, inclusive of poor road conditions, lack of proper street lighting, lack of proper garbage collection, and the absence of a medical facility.