Activities in surrounding areas of Kingston port to be streamlined

A special working group is being established to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at streamlining activities in the areas immediately surrounding the Port of Kingston.

The issues to be addressed include parking restrictions, enforcement, and traffic management to prevent the haphazard parking of motor vehicles; the relocation of vendors to a designated food court area; security in and around the port; signage; drainage; and a designated area for truckers to leave chassis.

The working group is expected to comprise representatives of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Shipping Association of Jamaica and Jamaica Constabulary Force, among others.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Daryl Vaz expects the plan to be ready by the end of January 2019.

“Most importantly, we are looking forward to timelines and funding, so that we can work together [with] all entities to be able to start implementation. The situation down here [at the port] has existed for far too long, and it is an untenable position,” he added.

Vaz was speaking with journalists following a tour of some of the areas, in the vicinity of Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) on Monday.

Meanwhile, He said based on discussions with the PAJ and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, clean-up work in and around KWL’s facilities will commence soon, to prevent the flooding of drains in the event of rainfall during the Christmas period.

He encouraged business owners in the area to also initiate their own clean-up exercise as part of their responsibilities as stakeholders.

The PAJ’s Chief Executive Officer Professor Gordon Shirley, who also toured the area, said it is imperative that the issues identified are addressed within a reasonable time.

“We look forward to working with the Mayor, National Works Agency (NWA), National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the other entities to ensure that we have a plan that elevates the area to a leading maritime centre,” he said.

Kingston Mayor, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, who was also part of the touring party, noted that a competitive port facility is critical to Kingston’s and, by extension, Jamaica’s economy.

He said the municipal corporation will move a resolution to assume responsibility for the road network in the area, to ensure its rehabilitation and maintenance.

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