As we drove along the north coast highway, ever entranced by the turquoise water, there were new construction sites with signage announcing enticing features for gated communities.

The Richmond Hill development has been an unqualified success thanks to the planners and the Edward Seaga Highway, which has allowed for a smooth 45-minute commute. KFC and Starbucks have also taken advantage of the opportunities presented by these developing communities, and when we passed them near lunchtime on Friday there was a long drive-through line.

Heightened activity at hotels, guest houses, business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities, commercial establishments, sprawling gas stations, and colourful jerk joints signal a post-pandemic revival. The Drax Hall to Rio Bueno stretch will be transformed in the next two years, and Jamaicans in the Diaspora are taking notice. What better place to retire but in your home country, living in a secure community, steps away from a swim in the warm Caribbean Sea?

American Airlines will begin making three flights weekly in November between Miami and Ocho Rios — actually the Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, St Mary. The travel website Aviacionline noted, “Ocho Ríos has experienced explosive growth over the past decade to become a popular tourist destination with duty-free shopping, a cruise ship terminal, tourist attractions, and several beaches.” Please note that Ocho Rios, in resort-speak, means St Ann and St Mary.

Additionally, we can look forward to an extended north coast highway as Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke posted on social media last Friday, “Today, on behalf of the GOJ [Government of Jamaica], I signed an MOU [memorandum of understanding] with the IFC [International Finance Corporation], the private sector arm of the World Bank, as the first step towards the provision of advisory services by the IFC for the development of the single-largest public infrastructure project in Jamaica’s history. As announced by PM, the public investment project will involve the expansion of the north coast highway with the construction of an additional two lanes covering 60km from Seacastles to Mammee Bay.”

This augers well for the upcoming 700-room RIU Hotel near Falmouth, Trelawny, for which ground was broken by Prime Minister Andrew Holness last week. Now, we must work to get more young people into apprenticeships so they can accept jobs at that site as the prime minister has warned that workers may have to come from abroad if we do not have trained personnel.

I remember that when the new GraceKennedy building was being planned, a Chinese construction company won the bid, but CEO Don Wehby insisted on an apprenticeship programme for inner-city youth, some of whom became certified at the end of the project.

Then it was onwards to Montego Bay where we stopped at our favourite restaurant, the legendary Pelican Grill. The Scudamores, owners of the establishment, did not allow the pandemic to stop them. Instead, they now have an airy, open extension that was packed to capacity.

Our destination was the Lucea Infant School, a jewel cooled by the light sea breeze, fully renovated by the Digicel Foundation.

One cannot imagine more adorable children and more dedicated teachers than those led by Principal Monique Watson-Robinson.

We noted a hint of sadness in the air and a reference by master of ceremonies Susan Simms to “sorrow yesterday, but joy today”. It was after the event that we read the news that three-year-old Comoy Williams was a victim of a drive-by shooting in Cascade, Hanover, the previous evening.

An expert remarked to a group of us recently: “Early childhood education is the key factor in crime prevention.” Well, poor little Comoy did not even get the chance to start what could have been a great life.

Hanover is such a parish of contrasts.

It sports the ritzy Round Hill and Tryall Villas and the huge Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa. Yet driving through Hopewell to Lucea there are these large open drains instead of sidewalks on which people balance on the narrow concrete border. On the other hand, the town centre boasts a beautiful clock tower that never fails to give the correct time.

“We have to assert ourselves in this parish,” says Watson-Robinson. “One side of us is called Montego Bay and the other side is called Negril.” That is resort-speak again, though.

One debacle that has put Hanover on the map is the conflict between the owners of an 800-acre property in Little Bay and people who have been squatting on the land for decades. One of the owners has already lost his life over this conflict, and it seems to be developing into a political football.

Meanwhile, there is a tourism investor waiting to begin a US$5-billion development that will generate employment for thousands. It is a situation that calls for speedy remediation.

What was remarkable about the opening of the Lucea Infant School was the presence of representatives of various schools in the parish. Watson-Robinson said they all gathered to help organise the event well into the previous night.

Police Superintendent Sharon Beaput and other members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force also assisted with security. With this spirit of togetherness, Hanoverians deserve every support towards the development of their parish.

Congratulations to Jamaica Observer Business Content Manager Dashan Hendricks who has been highlighting our young entrepreneurs, most recently Gordon Swaby of Edufocal, Tyrone Wilson of iCreate, and Randy McLaren of Bresheh. All Woman’s Kimberley Hibbert also highlighted Brittany Singh of Spark Education, and the Business Observer featured Monique Powell, founder of QuickCart (formerly QuickPlate) and Larren Peart, founder of Bluedot.

We must give these innovators the oxygen they need because they are creating a refreshing diversity in our business landscape.

Kudos to super companies National Baking Company, Sagicor, and GraceKennedy for looking out for our young entrepreneurs and stepping in to give them a boost, sometimes averting crises.

It was National Baking Company’s Butch Hendrickson who decided to invest millions in the Bold Ones of Manufacturing programme, which has since seen competitors list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and win international awards.

It is said that the only time you should look down on people is when you are bending to lift them up. We have good examples to follow.

A sportswriter called it a “draw of death”, but having watched the grit and focus of our Reggae Girlz in their World Cup qualifying campaign, we believe that they can stand up to the strength of the US Women, Mexico, and Haiti in Group A of the Concacaf Women’s Championship, which will be held in Mexico, July 4-18.

The report states, “Along with world champions the United States and 27th-ranked Mexico, the 51st-ranked Jamaicans will also have Caribbean rival Haiti, ranked at number 61, to contend with in Group A. Group B, to be led by number six-ranked Canada, includes 36th-ranked Costa Rica; Panama, ranked at 58; and 73rd-ranked Trinidad and Tobago.”

The winning teams from each group will qualify for the Fifa Women’s World Cup next year. The third and fourth finishers overall will get a chance for the third space in confederation play-offs.

Let us send positive vibes to our Girlz, who have brought us immense pride in the first section of the campaign.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com