Members of the public speak on Hampden’s closure
TWO Weeks ago, agriculture minister Roger Clarke announced the closure of the Hampden Sugar factory in Trelawny, which is a major source of employment for hundreds of people in St James and Trelawny.
The Observer visited the parishes and asked the question: “What effect do you think the closure of the Hampden Sugar factory will have on the two parishes?”
Bruce Salmon (businessman):
“It is a big setback in the parishes particularly in the communities in close proximity to the estate. With over 200 persons out of work, less income will be generated and more hardships created. The closure will definitely have a negative impact on the business sector.”
Darlon Eaton (plant operator):
“Hampden Sugar factory was the main source of income for many people in those parishes and the closure will mean that many persons will be without jobs. Jobs are hard to come by, so the affected persons might be unemployed for a very long time.
Carlton Smith (farmer):
“The closure of the factory will hamper the farmers. Right now, the beef market closed and it is only the sugar cane running the market. Now that the factory close, it is a bad thing for us and to carry the cane to Long Pond factory will cost a lot of money because it is a far distance.”
Angella Huie (cosmetologist):
” I think closing down the factory will have a negative impact on the workers at the estate, the cane farmers and the communities that depend on the factory for their financial needs. A lot of persons at the factory are not well educated and so when they are made redundant they are going to have a difficulty finding jobs. I believe too that there will be an increase in crimes in the communities that depend on the factory for an income.”
Allison Brown (bank clerk):
“The closure of the factory will have a negative effect on the parishes as it would increase the level of unemployment. Cane farmers would also have to pay additional costs in transporting their canes to the Long Pond Sugar factory. Some farmers would no doubt have to come out of business.”