MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) — Member of Parliament for West Central St James, Marlene Malahoo Forte, has welcomed the development of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility at the Montego Bay shipping port, and the move by the Government to convert the shipping terminal into a regional multipurpose port.

Malahoo Forte, who is also attorney general, said the massive investments in the LNG facilities and the port will change the landscape of the constituency and add value to not only the ports, but the lives of the citizens.

“The US$175-million capital injection is massive, and particularly for us here. It’s not just about setting the goals, but ensuring that the steps that are taken in the process will realise them and at the end of the day it’s about improving the lives of the people… those who do business, work in the industry and those who live in the area,” she added.

The attorney general said in preparation for the overall development of the ports, she will be having dialogue with members of her constituency to ensure that they get into a state of readiness for the job opportunities which will come on stream.

“I am simply amazed at how many opportunities are available. My concern is that we need to bring the skill sets up to standard to ensure that advantage can be taken of the available (employment) space,” she argued.

On a recent tour of the ports, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Dr Horace Chang, said the project is aimed at building out the Montego Bay terminal into a regional multipurpose port, dominated by cruise shipping.

The LNG facility, which will supply gas to the Jamaica Public Service Bogue plant in Montego Bay, is expected to be completed by mid-September.

Chang pointed out that the cargo operations will remain primarily for domestic purposes, as there are no plans to convert the facilities into a container terminal.