Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
News
T K WHYTE, Observer staff reporter  
September 15, 2006

Councillors take hard position against proposed cement factory

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine – Councillors from both the Jamaica Labour Party and People’s National Party of the St Catherine Parish Council on Thursday expressed objections to a proposal by a major business enterprise to build a cement factory at 2 March Pen Road in Spanish Town.

The councillors, who were attending the monthly general council meeting, said they had concerns about the possible environmental and health issues associated with a cement plant, its close proximity to the Spanish Town Public Hospital and to schools in that section of the old capital.

The furious councillors mandated the Building and Town Planning Committee not to approve the plans and suggested that the cement plant be built in a less densely populated section of the parish.

During a stormy debate lasting about 45 minutes, the councillors said they were not averse to developments in the parish to provide jobs and generate economic development in the town, but insisted that proper thought must first be put into the type of development and its location.

The matter was brought to the council’s attention by chief public health inspector for St Catherine, Samuel Cameron, who, in his report, told the meeting that the health department was concerned about the proposed cement factory and warned of the serious health and environmental impact it could have on residents in the area, especially on the nearby Spanish Town Hospital.

“The health department is aware of the proposal to construct a cement plant in Spanish Town. From the health department’s point of view, we don’t think it is feasible to put a cement plant in the town based on the population and the problems that is associated with that type of plant,” said the health inspector.

He said he was informed that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has already been done, but that his department would like an Environmental Health Assessment so that they have an idea of all the health risks associated with such a plant.

“.It is our duty to make the parish council aware of our concerns so that necessary measures can be put in place to deal with it,” Cameron told the Observer after the meeting

He said although the health department had not received any plans regarding the cement factory, they had been advised that an EIA has already been submitted to the Ministry of Health.

“The cement plant can’t build a Spanish Town”; “Carry it go a bush, a kill dem want kill off people”; “We not allowing that” and “Dem tek we fe fool”, were the shouts from some of the councillors.

Mayor Andrew Wheatley said the council knew about the plan for the proposed cement factory, but said nothing had been submitted to the local authority for approval.

Meanwhile, former mayor Dr Raymoth Notice said that there could be environmental and other problems if the cement factory was sited at March Pen Road.

“We can’t be penny wise and pound foolish. We have to look at the repercussions on the population. We need factories here, but we can’t have this one here. It is going to be a health hazard and an environmental danger,” said the former mayor.

Wheatley promised that the council would do what was necessary when the application for the cement plant is sent to the council’s Town Planning Committee.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Former WADA chief Craig Reedie dies at age 84
International News, Latest News
Former WADA chief Craig Reedie dies at age 84
Vanassa McKenzie | Observer Online Reporter 
April 6, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Veteran British sports administrator Craig Reedie, a former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and a key figure ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Changes announced for Criminal Records Office pick-ups at Police Officers’ Club on Wednesday
Latest News, News
Changes announced for Criminal Records Office pick-ups at Police Officers’ Club on Wednesday
Vanassa McKenzie | Observer Online Reporter 
April 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Criminal Records Office is advising the public that there will be temporary changes to operat...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Families in western Jamaica set to get 200 new homes after Hurricane Melissa
Latest News, News
Families in western Jamaica set to get 200 new homes after Hurricane Melissa
April 6, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Several families left homeless by Hurricane Melissa are now on the path to recovery, as a multi-partner initiative moves to constr...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Flood waters affect residents in Amity Hall
Latest News, News
Flood waters affect residents in Amity Hall
April 6, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Heavy rainfall on Sunday triggered flooding in parts of St James, leaving several areas submerged. In Amity Hall, located in the L...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica add three medals at Carifta Games
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica add three medals at Carifta Games
April 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica added three more medals, two gold and a silver, on Monday morning’s penultimate session at the 53rd Carifta Games at the K...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Junelle Bromfield and Noah Lyles tie the knot
Latest News, News
Junelle Bromfield and Noah Lyles tie the knot
April 6, 2026
Jamaican Olympian Junelle Bromfield and American sprinter Noah Lyles officially tied the knot on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at The Conservatory at Black...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump says Iran ceasefire proposal ‘very significant step’
International News, Latest News
Trump says Iran ceasefire proposal ‘very significant step’
April 6, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US) President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has studied a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Fabolous makes triumphant return to Jamaica at Vacae Weekend 2026
Entertainment, Latest News
Fabolous makes triumphant return to Jamaica at Vacae Weekend 2026
April 6, 2026
ST ANN, Jamaica — International hip-hop star Fabolous made his highly anticipated return to Jamaican stages on Sunday night, delivering a standout per...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct