St. James Municipal Corporation to Intensify Enforcement Drive

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says the St. James Municipal Corporation will be intensifying its enforcement drive across the city in the coming weeks.

This move follows approximately $30 million in outstanding fees owed by billboard companies, as well as unretrieved vehicles at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, which are becoming public health hazards and hindering ongoing clean-up efforts.

Addressing the monthly meeting of the Corporation on April 12, the Mayor said several businesses failed to respond to repeated reminders regarding unpaid billboard balances.

“There are 13 billboard companies owing over $30 million in fees, and despite all reminders, these companies continue to defy the order for payment,” he said.

He warned that billboards belonging to delinquent companies will be removed if payments are not made within a reasonable time.

“We’re urging these companies to come in and settle their debt, or their signs will be removed,” he said.

Mayor Vernon underscored the importance of adherence to municipal regulations.

“Order and compliance are pillars of a functional city, and hence it is important that the business community comply with the rules that govern our city,” he emphasised.

In the meantime, the Mayor is urging residents in the West Green area to retrieve their vehicles that were left or may have been washed onto the Catherine Hall Sports Complex.

He noted that the property has been divested and leased to Montego Bay Multi-Sports Development Ltd and that vehicles left on the compound are now obstructing activities at the facility.

Mayor Vernon indicated that unclaimed vehicles will be treated as abandoned and addressed under the Nuisance Act.

“If the vehicle was relocated from those areas to the Montego Bay Sports Complex, from that time until today, with no owner, as far as I’m concerned it is abandoned. It is, therefore, now becoming a nuisance,” he noted.

He further informed that effective April 10, notices will be placed on the vehicles.

We need to restore space,” he said.

Emphasising the public health risks posed by abandoned vehicles, Mayor Vernon is appealing to owners to act promptly.

“The longer they stay there, the more they become a public health hazard. If you know you have a vehicle in that space, come and collect your bid immediately,” he urged.