Gov’t to Spend $400 Million to Build and Upgrade Markets

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said some $400 million will be spent during the 2018/2019 financial year to construct and upgrade markets across the island.

He said that the expenditure is the largest in recent years for the improvement of market infrastructure, noting that the investment will stimulate small-scale economic activity.

He said there is a need for markets across the island to get “serious attention” as the facilities are major sources of income for many Jamaicans.

Minister McKenzie was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for construction of the new Port Maria Market in St. Mary on Wednesday (May 30).

The $56-million market will replace the existing structure, and will comprise a ground floor for the sale of produce and a top floor to accommodate shops, which will be rented for commercial activities.

The Minister urged the people of Port Maria to take care of the asset being provided. “It is your investment; you are going to benefit,” he said, noting that it will have a positive impact on business in the town and wider parish.

He indicated that once the market is erected, the Ministry and the local authority will be engaging vendors to get them to use the facility, as there will be “zero tolerance” on street vending.

Among those welcoming the Port Maria Market project are Custos of St. Mary, Errol Johnson; Mayor of Port Maria, Richard Creary; Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, Hon. Robert Montague; and Central St. Mary Member of Parliament, Dr. Morais Guy.