Rehabilitation of Markets to Continue This Fiscal Year

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will continue its comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation of markets across the island during the current financial year, says portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

He noted that projects that are already in progress include the Savanna-la-Mar market in Westmoreland, where some $20 million is being spent on the first phase. Rehabilitation of the Savanna-la-Mar market is estimated to cost more than $70 million.

Minister McKenzie was making his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 30).

In addition, some $180 million will be expended to renovate the Charles Gordon market in St. James over a three-year period, and construction on phase one of that project has already begun.

The Minister, in noting the focus being placed on markets, said that these are areas on which the economy thrives.

He noted there are more than 35 markets in Jamaica, which were built more than 100 years ago.

“In the last financial year, we did extensive work on markets,” the Minister told the House.

These included the Stony Hill Market in St. Andrew, which was completed at a cost of $7 million; Hopewell Market in Hanover, which was rehabilitated at a cost of $24 million; and the Clark’s Town market in Trelawny.

“The drawings for the Highgate Market [in St. Mary] that was gutted by fire, are almost completed. The people of Alexandria [St. Ann], your wait is coming to an end because the funds will be provided in this financial year,” the Minister told the House.

Regarding the Buff Bay Market in Portland, he said that phase-one works is slated to commence shortly.

Member of Parliament for Portland Western, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has committed $5 million from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to assist with the project, Minister McKenzie told the House.