MONTEGO BAY, St James — Prominent Montego Bay attorney Nathan Robb has been tipped to become the next president of the influential Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Jamaica Observer West has been reliably informed.

According to a highly placed source, Robb, who chairs the MBCCI’s Justice and Security committee, appears to have the full backing of the over 300 members of the chamber, who are eligible to cast their ballots at the MBCCI’s annual general meeting scheduled for next Wednesday.

“Mr Robb seems set to take over from Davon (Crump). The chamber will definitely benefit from his wealth of experience in the legal fraternity, and as a businessman,” said a MBCCI member, who did not want to be named.

Crump, a successful businessman, who served for two consecutive terms, is not eligible for re-election.

When contacted on Monday, Robb, who has been practising law for more than 30 years, told the Observer West that “if nominated I am willing to consider”.

A long standing member of the chamber, Robb has been praised for his stewardship of the MBCCI’s Justice and Security Committee.

As head of that committee for almost three years, the noted attorney has been credited for successfully lobbying the Government for an increase in the Resident Magistrate’s Court jurisdiction; the opening of a branch of the Firearm Licensing Authority in Montego Bay and the relocation of the Montego Bay Legal Aid Clinic.

Meanwhile, former president of the MBCCI Mark Kerr-Jarrett, has lauded Crump for his achievements during his tenure in office.

” I think he has done a very good job in representing the community. He has represented the IT industry; commerce, tourism, the infrastructure needs and he has been very balanced and consistent in his representation, and so I am really proud of him,” said Kerr-Jarrett, who served as president between 2000 and 2003, and again from 2004 to 2005.

Under Crump’s watch there was a roughly 33 per cent increase in membership of the chamber.

His achievements also include:

* the successful lobbying for the establishment of a branch of the Companies Office of Jamaica at the JAMPRO offices at the Advantage General Building on Market Street and,

* the successful lobbying for the refurbishing of the Charles Gordon Market and the establishment of a police post there.

The chamber in the last year has also partnered with the Jamaica Association of Administrative Professionals and the Cornwall Regional Hospital in spearheading an initiative to obtain a linear accelerator (LINAC machine) for use in cutting-edge cancer treatment at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Additionally, the chamber has held talks with a number of stakeholders including former Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, in an effort to revive Montego Bay’s declining cruise ship arrivals, among other factors crucial to the city’s economical survival.

During Crump’s tenure also, several meetings were held with National Security Minister Peter Bunting and several other stakeholders in a bid to reduce crime and violence in Montego Bay.

Kerr-Jarrett in the meantime, said he would like to see the new president lobby for the cleanliness of the resort city of Montego Bay; a reduction in crime and violence, as well as a major drive to reduce traffic violations in the resort city.