THE MINISTRY of Local Government and Com-munity Development is undertaking repair work at the Montego Bay Abattoir in St. James at a cost of $4.5 million.
The scope of work includes putting in place new roofing, new perimeter fencing, new holding area for animals and renovated areas for an office and changing rooms. Provisions are presently being made to install a new boiler and to have the facility connected to the municipal sewage system.
Secretary/manager of the St. James Parish Council, Christopher Powell, notes that over the years, the abattoir had fallen into disrepair and citizens have often complained about the insanitary conditions there. The facility was ordered closed by the St. James Health Depart-ment.
"The St. James Parish Council had taken the decision to refurbish the abattoir, bringing it up to acceptable standards where it could better serve the public. We have therefore transformed that facility and look forward to having it connected to the sewage system by the National Water Commission", Mr. Powell said, adding that the facility should be reopened by the end of September.
In an interview with the government's news agency JIS, Mr. Powell said that connecting the abattoir to the municipal sewage system was being given priority attention, in order to deal "once and for all with the unbearable stench that once emanated from the facility and also to avoid pollution of the Montego Bay Harbour."
He said the Parish Council would be putting a strong management team in place in order to guarantee the facility's efficiency and sustainability, once the repair work was completed.
Until the abattoir re-opens, members of the public would be served from the satellite slaughterhouses that have been set up across the city, Mr. Powell said.
