Road to be Repaved and Renamed after World’s Oldest Living Person

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Government will be spending $3 million to repave the road leading to the home of Mrs. Violet Mosse-Brown, the world’s oldest living person.

Mr. McKenzie, who made the announcement at a function in Falmouth, Trelawny, on April 27, added that the road in Duanvale will also be renamed after her.

He said the Ministry is cognisant of the heavy amount of traffic that will now be passing through the area, where persons will be clamouring to get a glimpse of the woman who has been garnering so much international attention, “making this gesture a necessity”.

“Not only are we going to repave the road, but we are going to put in the necessary street lights to recognise an outstanding Jamaican,” Mr. McKenzie noted.

He pointed out that Mrs. Mosse-Brown, in her younger days, was a part of the local government fraternity, having served as a cemetery keeper in the parish.

“She was responsible for maintaining a public cemetery here in Trelawny. So, not only are we going to fix the road and install the lights, but I have asked the Trelawny Municipal Corporation to do the necessary resolution to rename the road in her name, in honour of her outstanding achievements,” the Minister said.

Reacting to the announcement, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said it is both timely and necessary, adding that the international attention Mrs. Mosse-Brown’s story has been getting is nothing short of phenomenal.

“She is now a major attraction in the strictest sense of the word. Her story has attracted almost every reputable mainstream news organisation globally and has really portrayed Jamaica once again in a very positive light. When you package her story along with Usain Bolt and Bob Marley, what you have is something that will separate us from the rest of the competition,” the Minister said.

Mr. Bartlett, who has returned from a two-week visit to Africa and Asia, noted that everywhere he went, Mrs. Mosse-Brown’s name and her status as the oldest living person in the world was a popular topic of discussion with persons wanting to know the secret to her longevity.

“We have to remember that this is someone who has lived through the reign of Queen Victoria and also has been a witness to many historical events more than anyone alive today on the entire planet,” he said.

“She is a global treasure, as her experiences are nothing to scoff at. This is a woman who is a witness to history and no amount of money or accolades can add up to her value to humanity,” the Minister added.