MONTEGO BAY, St James — Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says he will be leaving no stone unturned regarding the issue of impropriety on the part of the former local government administration involving the St Thomas Municipal Corporation market.

“We are going to make every effort to get back the markets so that the vendors can go in the market and ply their trade. It is a disgrace! And what makes it bad, it is an elected representative,” stated the minister who noted that more information will be given at a later date.

However, McKenzie, who was addressing the monthly general meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation last week Thursday, did provide an insight into the issue that has forced vendors to sell on the side of the road while the market is being used as an auto shop.

“I am a controversial person, and I am going to be controversial now. In the parish of St Thomas, the Yallahs market was leased to an elected representative of the then St Thomas Parish Council (renamed municipal corporation in 2016),” disclosed McKenzie.

He continued, “They leased the market to this elected representative to operate a junkyard, to sell motor vehicle parts and to store motor vehicle parts. And, the hurtful part about it is that the vendors have to sit down outside of the building to sell their wares on the sidewalk.”

The minister added that the matter was in the courts for many years and that a ruling was made.

While not giving details on the court ruling, McKenzie made it clear that the use of the market outside of the purpose for which it was constructed will not be tolerated.

While his disclosure has added to the ongoing political uproar which has embroiled the municipal corporation, the minister pointed to a similar situation in St James which he said is also of concern.

“Someone sent me a photograph of a location in the Charles Gordon Market. It looks like it is a hardware, or a shop. But, I also understand that it has King Alarm security on it,” stated the minister to chuckle from people in attendance.

Charles Gordon Market is located in the heart of Montego Bay.