Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right), shakes hands with Barrington Fernandez (second left), during a visit to the Cleveland Stanhope Market in Lucea, Hanover on Friday (January 19). The stop at the market was part of a working visit to the parish by the prime minister, who was accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie. (Mark Bell/JIS)
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has indicated that apart from carrying out repairs to the Cleveland Stanhope Market in Lucea, possibilities are that it may have to be relocated.
Similar to the town of Lucea, which is built below sea level and is being impacted by a myriad of issues, including climate change, so too is the market.
Whenever it rains heavily, the town and market are flooded. Those were some of the cries Prime Minister Holness received from residents during his “listening tour” on Friday. The tour is aimed at hearing from the people as projects are planned and implemented in the parish.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
According to Holness, the government has a plan to address urban townships in rural areas and parish capitals. He said a critical part of that plan is to deal with markets.
However, while Prime Minster Holness pointed to the long-term development plans, the minister of local government Desmond McKenzie, bemoaned what he says is sabotage by the political directorate of the Hanover Municipal Corporation towards development work the ministry has for the market.
While physical planning officer attached to the Hanover Municipal Corporation, Daniel Watson, noted that vendors are willing to work with the municipal corporation despite challenges such as a leaking building when it rains, McKenzie was blunt when he cried foul in giving the prime minister a brief.
Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
McKenzie later told Nationwide News that Hanover is not the only corporation his ministry is having challenges with. He said it appears attempts are being made by administrations that are under the control of the People’s National Party (PNP) to put a stumbling block in the way of development.
The minister said the complaints he received vendors when he visited the market in Lucea in 2016 remain the same to date despite funds being available at the ministry.
While the market in Lucea has its challenges, Prime Minister Holness made it clear he was fairly happy with what he saw at the Hopewell Market, which was renovated at a cost of $20 million.
Holness said he would give the Hopewell Market a score of seven out of 10, noting that the market in Hopewell is the best he has seen across the island, despite room for further development.
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