KINGSTON (JIS) -- The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and St. Catherine Parish Council are in discussions regarding renovation of the Old Harbour market which was damaged by fire. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during a tour of the St. Catherine-based facility on July 29. Mr. McKenzie said the Council has been asked to submit draft designs to “reconfigure the existing situation at the market” within a week for consideration in order to improve conditions for vendors and other persons using the facility.
The Minister also suggested that the Council establish a committee to spearhead development of the plans.
Mr. McKenzie acknowledged that the Ministry would have to take into consideration the stakeholders’ concerns, “and how they are going to benefit from this (undertaking).”
In that regard, he said Ministry was committed to working with the Council to “bring relief to the plight of the vendors.”
Meanwhile, Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott, also gave the Council’s undertaking to assist the vendors.
“This is a co-operation between you, the St. Catherine Parish Council and the Ministry,” he said, while appealing for their support in the endeavour.
More than 200 vendors have been displaced by the fire, which raged on July 15 destroying stalls and goods amounting to millions of dollars.
The tour formed part of Mr. McKenzie’s familiarisation visits of Parish Councils and other Ministry agencies.