By Devon Evans, Freelance WriterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
MINISTER OF Industry and Tourism, Aloun Assamba, says every effort will be made to put an end to the continued practice of motorists speeding through the town of Ocho Rios.
Responding to concerns from residents and members of the business community over the threat to the lives of pedestrians, including visitors, by speeding motorists through the resort town, the Minister said steps have already been taken to address the problem.
Speaking at a public forum held at the Anglican Church Hall in Ocho Rios on the weekend, Mrs. Assamba said the problem was brought to her attention sometime ago and that she has been in consultations with the Ministry of Transport on how to proceed.
"I have asked the Minister of Transport to look at the problem of the speeding through the town and how we can address it to get pedestrians to feel safe and be able to walk in the town of Ocho Rios," she added.
The Tourism Minister suggested that measures such as the erection of sleeping policemen on sections of Main Street could be considered, but that such a decision must first be made by the citizens of the town.
Mrs. Assamba said it has been brought to her attention that even at pedestrian crossings, no regard is being shown to pedestrians and that such a situation will not be allowed to continue for much longer.
Meanwhile, as concerns continue to mount over the problem of speeding by motorists in the resort town, one businesswoman has offered to assist in employing street crossers to work at certain points along the usually busy Main Street in that town.
Restaurant operator, Nancy Chatani, who is of the opinion that something urgently needs to be done to address the matter before it is too late, said street crossers would make it far more convenient for people to cross the roads.
Pointing to the seriousness of the situation and the distress it has been causing some visitors, Ms. Chatani said at times visitors become paranoid and fearful to cross the streets due to the speed at which some vehicles travel through the town.
She said at present the streets of Ocho Rios are not too safe for both visitors and local pedestrians and is hoping that the authorities will look into the matter of enlisting street crossers while, at the same time, enforcing other means of controlling the behaviour of some motorists.
Ms. Chatani, who operates the popular "Bibibips Restaurant" and "Jerkin at Taj" in Ocho Rios, voiced this opinion while making a presentation at a public forum hosted by the Ministry of Tourism at the Anglican Church Hall in Ocho Rios recently.
For months, many business people and citizens of Ocho Rios have been expressing concern over the manner in which some motorists drive through the town, without any regard for pedestrians, even when they are standing at pedestrian crossings.
