THE GOVERNMENT has opted to construct a temporary facility in St. Mary to accomodate more than 100 Haitians now staying in three locations in Portland.
The Haitians, who fled to Jamaica in the wake of the political violence that has affected their homeland in recent months, will ultimately move on to a location now under construction in Montpelier, St. James.
Speaking during yesterday's weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, Information Minister Burchell Whiteman told journalists that the 134 Haitians will be housed at the single location.
"For ease of management, this alternative has been selected," Minister Whiteman said. He noted that the St. Mary facility is expected to be completed by the end of March.
The Information Minister also said that many of the companies involved in the construction exercise have been offering discounted services (in some cases free services) and that Minister of Land and Environment Dean Peart is currently in discussions to determine a final cost estimate for the project.
SEEKING TO CLARIFY REPORTS
Minister Peart, seeking to clarify reports on the proposed transfer, said inadequate facilities in Portland have forced Government to find a new temporary site.
"We are going to move the Haitians to St. Mary because of inadequate sanitary conveniences," Mr. Peart explained.
"When we assessed the situation, the only alternative would be to put them in tents. We did not want to do that."
He said the move from St. Mary to St. James will go ahead as planned in two weeks.
"While Montpelier will not be totally complete, we will be able to accommodate them comfortably there," the Minister said.
Referring to the St. Mary site, Minister Whiteman said "arran-gements are proceeding to finance the construction."
The Information Minister noted that he was in no position to hazard a guess as to how much the construction would ultimately cost, but pointed out that the St. Mary offer was "good and relatively inexpensive".
Though not disclosing the precise location of the St. Mary facility, Minister Whiteman told The Gleaner, when vacated by the Haitians it will be put to some other Government use.
