Work on the Montego Bay abattoir stalled
WESTERN BUREAU– A delay in the disbursement of funds from the Ministry of Local Government has stalled the $4.5-million refurbishing exercise at the Montego Bay abattoir.
Tubal Brown, superintendent of roads and works at the St James parish Council told the Observer that the council was awaiting a $2.5 million allocation required to complete the work.
Work on the facility began in June this year shortly after the health department ordered it closed, citing the long-standing unsanitary conditions that had prevailed there.
The refurbishing work got underway through a $2 million allocation from the ministry, which also promised to provide the additional $2.5 million needed to complete the project.
At the time, Suzette Johnson, the council’s public relations officer, told the Observer that the work was expected to be completed over a six-week period.
But months have passed and the work is yet to be completed.
“If we had gotten the money we would have finished the work at the abattoir a long time ago,” Johnson told the Observer.
Johnson added that she was unable to give a completion date since she was unsure of when the council would receive the funds from the ministry.
Work at the abattoir, which is being carried out in two phases include:
* repair of the roof and the installation of proper lighting;
* the implementation of a holding area that will also provide shelter for animals;
* fencing of the property;
* the installation of a boiler to sanitise equipment and utensils used for carcass preparation and inspection; and
* the implementation of a proper waste disposal system.