Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) JOHNSTON AND BERNARD
FED UP with the poor state of roads, security breaches and the overall state of disrepair in the areas surrounding the Kingston wharf, shipping interests have devised a plan to develop an industrial park at Newport West.
This would see stakeholders taking control of all maintenance and security needs. The disclosure was made yesterday during a Gleaner Editors' Forum held at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston, offices. The forum was attended by maritime interests and sought to explore issues related to shipping and port security.
Michael Bernard, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), said the need for establishing an industrial park arose from the neglect of the area, by certain government agencies.
"We appealed to the KSAC (Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation), which replied and said it was not their responsibility. We appealed to the NWA (National Works Agency), which accepted responsibility for some of the roads, but said they had insufficient funds," Mr. Bernard reported.
Ruel Gibson, president of the Newport West Corporate Citizens Association, said the area was turning into a slum.
NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE
"Despite our appeals, we have seen no real significant change in cleanliness, security or safety. There is a lack of positive response from Government agencies. There is an influx of vendors and the area experiences tremendous flooding whenever it rains," he said.
Mr. Gibson noted that his group, with contributions from the SAJ, has spent considerable amounts of money on clean-up efforts, but said that without the cooperation of the authorities, the success of that work was limited.
"It is very frustrating to see what is happening," he said. "It is unbelievable, considering that the area contributes so much to the country."
Charles Johnston, chairman of Jamaica Fruit and Shipping Group, agreed that the industrial park was needed.
"The environs at Newport West are in a bad state. (With the development of the industrial park) we are going to monitor and maintain all roads and drains ourselves. We essentially will be creating a gated community. We will monitor garbage collection and have a massive beautification campaign," he said.
All stakeholders, including citizens, will discuss the project at a town hall meeting today.
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