Minister wants Real Development in Montego Bay

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the time has come for efforts to be ramped up to bring real development and planning to the city of Montego Bay, St. James.

Addressing a World Town Planning Day conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on November 8, Dr. Chang said despite the city being largely unplanned, it has seen major economic developments over the years for which the citizens must be credited.

“Montego Bay has been the centre of economic growth for this region, and when you have economic growth, there will be increased human settlements,” he said.

As examples, Dr. Chang cited the communities of Norwood, with some 10,000 housing solutions; Flanker and Providence, with 6, 000 houses as well as the more than 20 informal settlements.

“Planning for Montego Bay is crucial, but we have to look at how to correct the mistakes of the past and take some steps to lay out the sustainable land-use plan which will allow for continued economic growth,” the Minister said.

He thanked agencies, such as the Inter-American Development Bank and HABITAT-UN, for the work they have been doing with the authorities in ensuring that Montego Bay becomes the city it ought to be.

“Given Montego Bay’s position, I think there will always be a huge informal sector. The entrepreneurial spirit of Jamaica is resident in Montego Bay today, not only in the form of informal settlements, but informal businesses,” Dr. Chang told the conference participants.

The Minister said the Government will be giving full support to the sustainable development of Montego Bay and other areas of the island.