MP Wants Ownership of Falmouth Pier Turned Over to Trelawny Parish Council

Attorney General, Patrick Atkinson, has announced plans to lobby for the ownership of the cruise ship pier in Falmouth to be turned over to the Trelawny Parish Council.

In making his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 29, Mr. Atkinson said following this transfer of ownership, a board consisting of “Trelwany’s well-thinking citizens” would be established to guide the path and policies of the facility.

“It must be Trelawny’s pier and the people of Falmouth and the whole parish of Trelawny must benefit from it,” he stated.

The Falmouth cruise ship pier, which was built at a cost of approximately US$269 million, is currently owned and operated by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) in partnership with cruise ship company Royal Caribbean International.

The facility was officially opened in 2011 and is considered Jamaica’s most modern and elaborate port.

Mr. Atkinson, who is also Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, said the move to transfer ownership of the pier to the local authority, is to maximise earnings from the facility for the development of Falmouth.

“I am convinced that the port can play a pivotal role in significantly increasing the profitability of Jamaica’s tourism sector,” he stated.

Mr. Atkinson said his vision is for the complete restructuring and transformation of the town, which will benefit not only the whole of Northern Trelawny, but also eventually, South Trelawny as well.”

Among the proposed plans, is the resurfacing of Market and Tharp Streets, the repair of drainage systems and the construction of sidewalks.

Mr. Atkinson further informed that the “plan is to eventually move the commercial centre of the town further down Market Street, starting with the market, which is the hub of commerce”.

He said the Government has received statements of interest from investors for the construction of a shopping centre and transport facility in the vicinity of the new market.

The Attorney-General further noted that when the transformation of the town is complete, he will submit a request for Falmouth to be designated a resort town.

“(This will be done) so that we can take extraordinary measures to control the vehicular traffic and vending in the immediate area of the port,” he stated.

Contact: Athaliah Reynolds-Baker