Citizens of St. James Lauded

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is lauding the  citizens of St. James for their cooperation in the success of the clean-up exercise in the parish.

The programme, which was launched in Montego Bay on April 22, saw Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie leading a two-day effort across several St. James communities, removing solid waste to the Retirement Landfill.

During the campaign,  some 40 communities in St. James benefitted, resulting in the removal of 419 truckloads of  solid waste.

Speaking at a news conference at the St. James Parish Council Offices in Montego Bay on  May 12, member of the National Clean-up Task Force, Senator Charles Sinclair, said they received tremendous support from state agencies and civic groups, but in particular the citizens of the parish.

“They were very appreciative of the concerted effort in removing bulky waste from their premises. Some of the items that came out of these premises would indicate that they were there for an extended period of time and created an unhealthy and unsafe environment. The commendations from the citizens have been very good,” he said.

Senator Sinclair said that apart from ridding communities of waste, the programme also provided temporary employment  for some 300 citizens.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris, said over the two-day period, the St. James Municipal Police made major inroads to clamp down on littering and other breaches across the parish.

“A total of 110 infractions were cited in the commercial district of downtown Montego Bay; 67 notices for residential clean-up were served; 15 notices for no trade licences were handed out;  and 18 notices for no licences  were served on  dressers and barbers,” he said.