High-Level Ministerial Team Tours Kingston Port
By: , August 28, 2022The Key Point:
The Facts
- Minister McKenzie said dialogue between the Government and the investors has been ongoing, and the visit provided further information for actions to tackle the issues.
- “For the…development of the port, to foster growth of the country, it is a good step to collaborate with the Government,” Mr. Brown told JIS News, adding that a “process has been agreed” with the Ministry of National Security, and the teams will continue working together for its success.
The Full Story
Perennial issues of flooding and security in the Newport West business community in Kingston, are being tackled by several ministries and agencies.
A high-level government team led by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, met with the business operators on Tuesday (August 23), at the Shipping Association of Jamaica, where several concerns were discussed.
Dr. Chang said he and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Courtney Williams, felt the need to visit the area, and get a “first-hand look” on the drains and how they are impacting security, especially the port, and future expansion of businesses.
“The port is one of the most vital economic infrastructures in this region, the physical characteristics and the security features are crucial to continue growth and development. We can see signals of growth, but we see the challenges which we have to correct to maintain the growth,” the Minister said in an interview with JIS News.
Minister McKenzie said dialogue between the Government and the investors has been ongoing, and the visit provided further information for actions to tackle the issues.
“Those problems are not beyond our capacity,” and he will be coordinating with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation through the National Works Agency (NWA), the National Water Commission (NWC) and other agencies, and “we are looking to some positive results,” Mr. McKenzie said.
Meanwhile, President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), William Brown, in describing the tour as “good”, said they want improved drainage systems to prevent flooding, traffic management, and management of food vending in the area.
“For the…development of the port, to foster growth of the country, it is a good step to collaborate with the Government,” Mr. Brown told JIS News, adding that a “process has been agreed” with the Ministry of National Security, and the teams will continue working together for its success.