55 Labour Day projects registered in Portland

PORT ANTONIO — A total of 55 projects have been registered for Portland, a meeting to finalize preparations for the observation of Labour Day (Monday May 23) under the theme “It takes a village to raise a child”,  at the Parish Council on Thursday (May 19), was informed.

The Port Antonio Hospital, which has been identified as the parish project, will have its maternity and children’s wards painted, as well as the exterior of the building, the removal of debris from the compound and the beautification of the grounds.

Giving an update, Coordinator of Labour Day activities at the Parish Council, Simone Ingleton, said the projects have received a major boost, with a contribution of $250,000 from Member of Parliament for East Portland, Dr. Donald Rhodd.

Other projects to be carried out include: the refurbishing and beautification of a number of basic and infant schools, including the Islington Basic School and the Boundbrook Infant School; rehabilitation of community centres and playfields; building of bus sheds; painting of police stations; and the general cleaning up and beautification of communities.

The Muirton Child Care Facility in Manchioneal, the parish project for Labour Day 2010, will effect repairs to some of its outdoor bathroom facilities, repair windows and clean up its surroundings.

Locksley Johnson, representing the ‘Friends of the Hospital’, said  that in addition to the provision of 50 volunteers by the Portland Ministers Fraternal, other agencies volunteering to participate include the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs of Port Antonio, members of the cadet and numerous Police Youth Clubs.

Among the agencies represented at the meeting were the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), the Portland Parish Council, the Port Antonio Hospital, the National Water Commission (NWC), the Portland Fire Department and Satcum Cable Television.

By LORNA WILLIAMS