PM Holness tours Montego Bay

Montego Bay, Jamaica:- Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday toured the Charles Gordon Market, the Shoes Market, and several streets which make up the Market District of Montego Bay. It was a bustling market day and the Prime Minister interacted with several vendors who expressed a range of concerns, including asbestos in the market building and a leaky roof.

 

Vendors continue to make a living

Vendors were very happy to see the Prime Minister touring the market district, some offered him advice and encouragement, others invited him to support their stalls, which he did purchase several dozen hairs of corn and other produce.

Response to Tragedy

At the other side of the market where 3 men were murdered, Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor explained the circumstances around the killing. The Prime Minister also met with the spouse of one of the victims.

Prime Minister Holness and Attorney General Marlene Malahoo-forte consoled the grieving spouse and undertook to assist the family. Later in the afternoon.

The touring party then joined Minister Desmond McKenzie who was also in the area overseeing a massive cleanup of the market district and the environs of the city.

 

The Prime Minister visited the communities of Flankers, and Glendon, where he spoke to youths about the crime situation in the second city. He told the young men on the corners that they have a role to play in achieving their own prosperity.

Official Comment

“Montego Bay is the gateway to much of the investments coming into Jamaica; however investors may think twice when they read the reports internationally about the level of crime in Jamaica. This government will make the investment in you and your community, we will fix your roads, collect your garbage, and reopen your training centres, but you have to ‘hold down’ crime. Violence is not the only way to resolve conflicts”.

Commentary

Holness Tours Western Jamaica

As you know Montego Bay is our second city and is the Tourist Mecca with a crime problem.

The PM’s visit is to demonstrate leadership and see for himself upfront and personal the situation on the ground.

Vision will be monitoring a recently announced clean up for the second city. PM Holness, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie were on the tour along with MP Malahoo Forte, Attorney General.

The JLP got strong support in the Montego Bay Region politically in the last election February 25, 2016.

This is an excellent move to tour Montego Bay at this time as local government elections are due to be held soon.

Commentary by Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.