WESTERN BUREAU:
LEADER OF the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Edward Seaga has taken the Government to task for what he said has been its refusal to restore railway lines in western Jamaica.
Speaking at a press conference in Montego Bay on Friday, Mr. Seaga claimed that the government had not taken up an offer from Wray and Nephew Jamaica Limited, the operators of Appleton Sugar Estate in St. Elizabeth, to bear the cost of restoring rail service between Montego Bay and the company's factory site. This, Mr. Seaga said, would provide direct transportation for tourists wanting to visit what he added could be a major tour attraction.
"I am a little confused because I think I heard correctly when the people who run Appleton said to me that they would be willing to refurbish the lines and buy the coaches to put on the line to have that tour run, and if that is so then I cannot understand why the government did not accept that offer," Mr. Seaga stated.
He was responding to questions from the head of the Association of Jamaica Attractions Limited, Johnnie Gourzong concerning the restoration of the rail service in the western end of the island.
"Many of the attractions in the rural areas are inaccessible because of the poor roads, so I am imploring you to look at the attraction sector along the same lines that you are looking at the hotel sector," said Mr. Gourzong.
Mr. Seaga said the offer from Wray and Nephew would be an ideal one for the Government as they would not have to bear the cost of the restoration. He admitted that he is not aware of the cost factor that would be involved in the restoration process, but said he would be contacting the sugar estate and would be moving ahead if the offer was still available.
"I am first going to touch base with the Wray and Nephew people to see if they are interested in doing the refurbishing and undertaking to put coaches on the line, and if so I cannot see what would stop it," declared Mr. Seaga.
Mr. Gourzong, who operates rafting on the Martha Brae, also queried the Opposition Leader on the JLP's plans to assist the attraction section of the tourism industry, which he said has received little attention in recent years.
"For years we have not enjoyed any type of incentives or concessions, this was always enjoyed by the accommodations sector more or less in a consistent manner. Many of our members are hard pressed to deliver a quality product," Mr. Gourzong said.
Mr. Seaga responded that he was not overly impressed with the offerings of some attractions. He said his party will be conducting a review of all attractions to determine which ones would be suitable for funding.
"Some attractions really are not attractions and there is going to be a lot of weeding out to determine which attractions can in fact attract," he maintained. "If this is so and there is a funding problem then that is the kind of project that we will look at."
The press conference, the JLP noted, was to unveil the tourism aspect of its manifesto.
