THE JAMAICA Bauxite Institute (JBI), through its Bauxite Community Development Programme (BCDP), is a very important partner with the Postal Corporation of Jamaica in the postal reform process of the Jamaica postal service. Its specific contribution has been in the area of providing substantial funding for the construction of post offices and agencies in selected bauxite mining communities, at the request of representatives of those communities.
A large group of the residents of Kendal in Manchester attended the official opening of the reconstructed Shooters Hill/Kendal Post Office, which replaces the previous 60-year-old building which had fallen into a state of disrepair.
STONG COMMENDATIONS
The reconstruction was made possible by a grant of $1.9 million from the BCDP, which earned the JBI stong commendations from speakers at the function including Member of Parliament John Junor; Postmaster General Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, and co-ordinator of the BCDP, Clarence Osbourne.
The construction of the new post office was made possible by a grant of $1.9 million from the BCDP. Member of Parliament John Junor, Postmaster General Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, and Clarence Osbourne, project co-ordinator of the BCDP., were among the specially invited guests and each of them spoke briefly at the function.
In his address, Mr. Junor lauded the citizens of Kendal whom he said, in their persistence to get the new post office: "We're not even in favour of having a contractor supervise the work. They undertook to do that themselves to reduce costs." He had high praises also for the JBI, of which he said: "The JBI must be regarded as an important social partner.
Dr. O'Meally-Nelson said: "Together we must applaud ourselves for having the will and commitment to forge the partnership of government, private sector and community, which has resulted in the construction of this post office". She told the residents of Kendal to: "Take ownership of your post office, and always feel free to call us with your concerns, and suggestions."
Following its dedication by Pastor Kingsley Andrews, of the Kendal Shiloh Apostolic Church, and the symbolic cutting of the ribbon performed by Dr. Nelson, the building was officially declared open, to the delight of all who attended the ceremony and seemed unperturbed by the light drizzle of rain which began prior to the start of proceedings and persisted for the entire occasion as most persons sheltered under a tent pitched for the function.
