Trelawny residents cry neglect, point to unkept promises

Plans for the erection of a statue to sprint icon Usain Bolt, and an overhaul of the sewage system along Tharpe Street, are among the litany of broken promises residents of Trelawny say have been made by their elected representatives over the last year.

With expectations now high for local government elections, some have given up hope that the issues will even be addressed.

The erection of the Bolt statue was announced in November 2019 during a church service held at William Knibb Baptist Church, but to date the project has not been completed.

Jennifer Bolt, mother of the sprint icon, told The Gleaner, “I am no longer looking forward to the erection of the statue. I have (had) so many different dates for the installation I no longer expect it to happen.”

Mayor of Falmouth Collen Gager last informed that officers from the Jamaica Defence Force along with staff from the Municipality are working towards the completion of a base and fountain on which the statue is expected to be placed.

Residents and business operators in the parish recall that when the pier was being built they were promised that their sewage lines would be linked to that of the pier. This has not happened.

Andrea Humphrey, owner/operator of Humphrey’s Plaza on Seaboard Street, which is approximately 150 metres away from the pier, says she still has to spend $25,000 to have her cesspool cleaned when the tide rises or large ships are docked at the Pier.

“It’s frustrating because any time the tide rises or a big ship comes up it floods out my toilet facilities,” she shared, noting that she has to call in the cesspool emptier services to address the situation.

Addressing the issue in an earlier interview, Gager told The Gleaner that, “A sum of $100 million is needed to have the sewage system along Tharpe Street fixed. The laterals are in place – it’s just the laying of the pipes for connections.”

Residents are still waiting.

The historic Albert George Market too has fallen into disrepair.

Gager announced during a municipal meeting that a sponsor has been sourced to assist with conducting repairs. At present, the condition of the market remains the same.

Artisan Village

Another major project is similarly in limbo. The $700 million Artisan Village built on the old Hampden Wharf lands is yet to be opened some three years after its completion.

To date, three officials have given different reasons for it not having opened to the public. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Dr. Carey Wallace, executive director, Tourism Enchancement Fund (TEF) and Carol Rose-Brown, manager of the Artisan Village, have each offered their own explanation for the delay.

Underlining the level of his commitment, Bartlett pledged at a function last year that “if it’s going to take my life it’s going to open by December”.

Wallace said, “It’s just left for the theming of the Artisan Village to be completed.”

The theme, he said, is going to surround sugar and rum.

The village was conceptualised to provide visitors and locals a unique experience in the production and sale of artefacts for souvenirs.

Lorna Williams, who works in basketry, and Robert Nelson, a woodcarver, are two of 18 artisans who expressed their frustration at the delays.

Outgoing councillor for the Ulster Spring division, Dr Pauline Foster-Grant, voiced her disappointment that even after ground was broken for the construction of a fire station by local government minister Desmond McKenzie, there has been no efforts at construction of the facility.

“I was hoping that the construction of the fire station in my division would be part of my legacy. Sadly, with the local government election due shortly this will not happen during my time,” Grant said.

Residents say they are awaiting the provision of other amenities which they were told were close to completion or implementation in 2023.

The municipality had announced the introduction of a cashless system for the 700 registered vendors at the Falmouth Market.

“We are nearing the completion of negotiations with a major financial institution, and very shortly the cashless system will be in place,” the mayor promised then.

Also, there is the Troy Bridge which links Trelawny and St Elizabeth that collapsed two years ago. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that repairs to the bridge would be made. Those repairs are yet to commence.

editorial@gleanerjm.com