KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, says that while there is insurance coverage on the Brown’s Town market, there is no coverage for the goods lost by the vendors in Tuesday’s fire.

“Yes, there is insurance on the property, but no insurance on the vendors’ goods,” he told former minister, Noel Arscott, who informed yesterday’s meeting of the House of Representatives’ Standing Finance Committee (SFC) that there is insurance coverage for markets.

The exchange followed a call for assistance for the vendors from Member of Parliament for North Western St Ann, Dr Dayton Campbell, as the SFC wound up its two-day review of the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure at Gordon House.

Campbell said that the loss would set vendors back who have business loans to repay and families, including school-age children, to take care of.

McKenzie said his ministry was aware of the fire, which according to news reports destroyed 25 stalls at the market on Tuesday morning.

“We are awaiting a report from the technical staff as to the extent of the damage,” he told the MP. However, he pointed out that the markets are supposed to generate revenue from the payment of fees by the vendors to offset disasters.

“But, we know that a lot of the markets are in very poor condition and the ministry is looking at the best way possible to offer assistance. That is why the government has insisted that the use of the Equalization Fund has to be more productive, where its expenditure can generate revenue,” he told the committee.

McKenzie said that an assessment is being done of the damage, after which whatever support can be made will be offered to the St Ann Parish Council to assist the vendors.

Balford Henry