Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

This photograph, taken in September 2007, shows maggots on a sidewalk near the Ocho Rios market in St Ann. Many of the health concerns still exist, as human waste generates an odour at the market. - Roger Robinson/Freelance Photographer

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

Councillor for the Ocho Rios division, Neville Williams, has charged that the town's market is unsanitary, saying it is littered with garbage and faeces.

He has appealed to the St Ann Parish Council, which operates the market, and the parish's Health Department to intervene.

Hinting at an impending health crisis, Williams said the vendors were the main culprits, defecating and urinating near stalls.

He also said greater organisation in the disposal and collection of garbage would lead to improved sanitation at the market.

Williams' description was a tale of a town scarred by anarchy and ugliness.

Responding to Williams' comments, commercial services manager at the St Ann Parish Council, Carol Dalling, admitted that "from time to time vendors defecate near their stalls, with the hope that it would be removed by cleaners".

Unbearable stench

Dalling said vendors often turn away garbage trucks because of the trucks' unbearable stench.

Meanwhile, chief public health inspector for St Ann, Granville McKenzie, said the health department was disappointed that not much has being done to remedy the deficiencies at the Ocho Rios market.

While conceding that the conditions warranted immediate attention, St Ann's Bay mayor, Ivan Anderson, said the council was short of funds.

Revenue

He also said that if the market is cleaned and good order restored, the facility would be able to generate much revenue for the council.

Anderson said he has written to the minister responsible for local government, Robert Montague, seeking allocation of funds to carry out improvement work at the market.