Mandeville, Manchester – Ground was broken on Monday for the construction of a new public market in Spaldings, North-West Clarendon on the Manchester border.

Member of parliament for North-West Clarendon and junior minister for works Richard Azan, who was among those wielding a pickaxe to break ground, pledged that the construction project would take no longer than six months, though “I want it in four months”.

Azan declined to give a costing on the project, which will be funded by the Government’s social welfare programme, Lift Up Jamaica, arguing that “the final figures are still being worked out”. But he insisted that when completed, the new facility at the centre of the town will have space for vendors of ground provisions as well as meat; 14 shops which will be rented; a kitchen; a storeroom; toilets; and parking space for 22 vehicles.

The old, broken-down market building at the same location – described by locals as the “worst building” in Spaldings – will be demolished before construction begins.

Azan, who said the planned market was the fulfilment of a pledge he made back in 2002, warned that overruns in cost and construction time would not be tolerated. He would be paying close attention to ensure completion on time and within budget, he said.

“We don’t want to see any idlers out here; we want to see workers.We want you to come and work, and if you can’t work, go home.,” Azan told prospective workers.

He was backed by president of the Spaldings Citizens’ Association, Doreen Evans, who said her organisation would make sure that the project went well. She warned “extortionists” to stay away.

Claiming that he was not given to too much talk – “.some of us have talking sickness, I don’t.” – Azan pointed to a number of improvements, completed as well as ongoing, in the town in line with pledges he had made. A civic centre was now in the pipeline “for the new term”, he said to laughter and loud applause. Azan will be seeking a return to Parliament in general elections due this year.

But the junior minister voiced extreme dissatisfaction with public transport operators for choosing not to use the transport centre, which he said was one of the “largest in Jamaica”.

He warned that within days the authorities would be moving to tow away public transport vehicles which are illegally parked.