Member of Parliament for Manchester North West Mikael Phillips, says plans are underway to develop certain areas in his constituency for community tourism.

He informed that with money from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), efforts are being made to turn the community of Maidstone, the first free village in Manchester, into a tourist attraction.

“The community itself had an organised community-based grouping, where from the district of Adam’s Valley, where the first slave settlement was, they had artefacts coming from that village which were stored at the Nazareth Primary School,” Phillips said.

He pointed out that under an agreement with the Ministry of Education, a school room has been provided to construct a museum.

“So, we have taken the money that TEF gave us and we have decided that we will now construct a proper museum with the assistance and guidance from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, TEF, and the Institute of Jamaica,” Phillips informed.

The member of parliament was making his contribution to the first- ever State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representative on Tuesday.

Phillips also noted that plans are in place to put in proper walkways and story boards at the various historic points in the Maidstone community, adding that this project should be completed by October 2015.

He said money from the TEF will also be used to develop Noisy River in Manchester into a tourism product.

“Noisy River is one of the main attractions for residents of St Elizabeth and Manchester,” Phillips said.

He informed that lands have been leased from the Forestry Department, and four shops and bathrooms constructed to enhance the experience.

“We have created a picnic area and we are now installing gazebos, but that is only the first phase of that project. We will also be rehabilitating Auchtembeddie cave,” he noted.