No Plans to Divest Musgrave Market

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie says there are no plans to divest the Musgrave Market in Portland.

“No decision has been taken to divest the interest of the Musgrave Market to anybody…it is the property of the Municipal Corporation and whatever repairs are going to be done, the funding will be provided by the Ministry,” Minister McKenzie said.

He was speaking at a recent post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House in Kingston.

On May 28, fire broke out destroying the market and damaging nearby businesses.

Mr. McKenzie informed that investigations have ruled out arson as a possible cause of the fire, while adding that the market is insured and is in the process of being assessed by insurers.

He noted that based on the assessment, the Ministry and the Portland Municipal Corporation will engage with the affected vendors to ascertain “what they think would be the best way out, in order to make the market conducive.”

He further disclosed that $10 million was allocated to the Municipal Corporation to undertake clean-up exercises and provide temporary shelters for butchers, who were severely affected.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie said, “since the beginning of last year to today, we have had some 18 fires at various markets across the country, and the cost to the local authorities has been enormous”.

“Well in excess of $150 million worth of damage has been incurred, because of these deliberate acts of arson,” he stated.
Of the 37 markets across Jamaica, they provide not just a service, but a source of livelihood and income.

Mr. McKenzie noted that while the Ministry continues to work assiduously to upgrade markets across the country, “those who are using the markets [must] ensure it is done in an orderly fashion”.