PM Says Jamaicans Have a Right to Enjoy the Island’s Beaches

Jamaicans are being assured by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, that they have a right to enjoy the island’s beaches.

Speaking to journalists following a tour of the Little Dunn’s River attraction in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on June 21, Mr. Holness said “there is a sense that, somehow, because of the attempts of the Government, through the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), to exercise some control over the property, there is an attempt to exclude the average person from being able to enjoy the natural environment that is here.”

“I want to make it absolutely clear that every Jamaican has a right to enjoy their environment, enjoy their beaches and their land,” he emphasised.

The Prime Minister further assured that the Government will do everything in its power to ensure that this right is realised and fulfilled.

He pointed out that there were challenges at the location, including persons carrying out illegal activities.

The attraction was closed due to security concerns, but is now accessible to citizens twice weekly.

“The citizens who were trying to enjoy their rights here were deprived of their full enjoyment of the right, because of the conditions and the level of violence that existed,” Mr. Holness noted.

Plans were announced in January for the management, operation and infrastructure upgrade of the attraction.

“The policy directive that has been given to the UDC is that we must develop the properties that we have for the public good and for the public benefit,” the Prime Minister said.

He cited the recently opened Harmony Beach Park in St. James, which has given access to “thousands of Jamaicans who are going there to enjoy their little piece of Jamaica without paying for access.”

“In addition to free access, they get to access in peace, because we have put in systems of control, order and sanitation. If you go to Harmony Beach Park any day of the week, Jamaicans feel liberated; they can go and enjoy their environment in good condition,” Prime Minister Holness said.

For his part, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, said it is imperative that Little Dunn’s River be uplifted and access increased for the people of St. Ann.

“They [St. Ann residents] feel very strongly about this beach. They are here every Saturday and Sunday and we have seen that criminal elements from outside of the parish have, at times, tried to capture this asset,” he added.

Meanwhile, UDC General Manager, L. Robert Honeyghan, said that in the coming weeks and months, persons will be hearing more about plans for the location, as the Corporation will be hosting stakeholder consultations.

“We will be ensuring that what we design here will meet the very best standards for the people of St. Ann and Jamaica overall,” he assured.