McKenzie says a more proactive approach needed for Port Maria infrastructure
ST MARY, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie said a more proactive approach is needed for infrastructure in Port Maria, St Mary.
Addressing councillors at the St Mary Municipal Corporation today, McKenzie asked that the technical team from the Corporation sit with officers from his ministry to find ways to address the issues that currently affect the town.
“The town of Port Maria continues to be a nightmare. The importance of this town seems to be forgotten by those who make decisions,” McKenzie stated.
McKenzie said funding at the local level may be insufficient to address some of the problems in the town, as a result, he urged the technical team to talk with his ministry to address the town’s challenges.
He said Port Maria is one of the most important rural towns in the country as it provides a linkage to Kingston and the rest of the north coast.
McKenzie said there is a lack of a number of vital facilities in the town.
“The town has the type of infrastructure that once you cry, it is flooded,” he said.
He used the opportunity to apologise to the councillors and citizens of the parish for the delay in the building of the market. He said the setback was as a result of technical challenges and assured that work should start soon as he does not anticipate any further setbacks with the contracts.
