LUCEA, Hanover — Chairman of the Hanover Parish Council and mayor of Lucea, councillor Lester Crooks, says he will be “vigorously” pursuing plans to have the Lucea harbour established as a cruise ship port of call.

In an interview with JIS News after his recent swearing-in, Mayor Crooks said he would work to speed up the implementation of plans, formulated by the previous Council, for the development of the Lucea waterfront and harbour.

Pointing out that the feasibility of the development plan for the Lucea harbour was explored two months ago, Crooks contended that the project should not be allowed to be delayed for much longer.

The new mayor said he would lead a very strong delegation to lobby for the development of the harbour. But he stressed that the Parish Development Committee, the private sector, service clubs, the Government and non-governmental organisations within the parish would have to play a part.

He added that he would be initiating talks with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) with a view to getting the necessary assistance and advice on how to capitalise on Lucea’s location. The town is located between two of the most renowned tourist resorts in the Caribbean — Montego Bay and Negril — and residents believe there is the potential for significant gains if the harbour project gets off the ground.

“The development of the harbour will do wonderful things, especially bringing in foreign exchange into Lucea. If we cannot create a stop for the tourists here in Hanover, then we are not doing anything,” Crooks said.

The development of the town’s craft market would be high on the agenda of those talks, he said.

“We have got to create a stop here for the tourists, because there is too much money passing through this town,” he added.

The Mayor argued that there were enough attractions within the parish to support a vibrant tourist industry, adding that it just needed a little initiative to revive some of them.