New Musgrave Market in Port Antonio to Be Fireproof

The new Musgrave Market in Port Antonio, Portland, will be the first market to be built in Jamaica equipped with the necessary fixtures to significantly reduce the possibility of a fire occurring at the facility.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure at a disaster preparedness town hall meeting, held at the Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, Portland, on May 9.

The Minister also informed that the drawings for the market have been completed.

Mr. McKenzie further stated that work has commenced on the Buff Bay Market, also in the parish.

“We are literally building a new market from scratch, because the old building was torn down; we are building from the ground up. We can’t be spending this amount of money putting in these facilities and yet the vendors find it more prudent to be vending on the street,” he said.

“I have said to the Mayor, as it relates to the Musgrave Market, and I am saying the same thing for the Buff Bay market, to engage the vendors from now because, trust me, I will come here myself and help to enforce public order, so the vendors understand that the market is repaired at their cost— your tax dollar,” he added.

The Musgrave Market and nearby businesses were destroyed by a fire on May 28, 2023.