MONTEGO BAY, St James — Vendors plying their wares at the Charles Gordon Market should soon benefit from a phased renovation project, according to Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie.

McKenzie, who was speaking to reporters following a tour of the Montego Bay-based market on Thursday, admitted that the State-run facility is currently in need of major repairs which is a priority of the Government.

“We just ended a meeting with representatives of the vendors. It is clear that the market has been underutilised in terms of the space and the maintenance in certain areas has been lacking. There is no denying that there are problems existing,” Minister McKenzie said.

Noting that work had been done to renovate sections of the market just a year ago, McKenzie said the overall state of the facility will be addressed with this renovation project.

“There are about four areas of repairs that will be undertaken and we will be starting with the main market which will include repairs to the roof, the demolition of the existing stalls, the construction of new stalls and putting in proper fixtures within the market. Also extensive repairs to the public sanitary facilities within the market,” the minister said.

Pointing out that persistent flooding of the market is a major concern of the vendors, McKenzie said a “comprehensive new drainage system is being worked on to complement the work that was done previously”.

The vendors operating inside the Charles Gordon Market, McKenzie said, also have a role to play in the facility’s deplorable conditions.

“I want to say…that the problems of the market [are] not just because maintenance has not been undertaken. The vendors have also contributed to the state of the market,” he stressed. “In the meeting they admitted that there are areas that they themselves can improve on.”

In the meantime, Minister McKenzie is pleading for the support and patience of the vendors as the Government seek to refurbish the facility in a timely manner.

“The work is not going to start tomorrow and end the next day, so I want to say that it is going to take time for the work to be concluded on the repairs of the market. I know that a lot of them [are] hurt and they are frustrated because they can’t really do the things that they want to do” he said.

“This is the beginning of a new drive on markets and we are engaging the vendors and we want the buy-in of the vendors to ensure that we do what is in the best interest of the vendors and those who are shopping,” McKenzie added.

When asked about the Government’s budget for this renovation project, Minister McKenzie said that information cannot be provided at this time.

“I am not going to speak about the budget now because the procurement process is taking place and I don’t want to say because that would in some way impede what is being done,” said the minister.

Vendor Juliette Johnson told reporters that she is “satisfied” with the outcome of the meeting with the minister and other stakeholders.

“I am satisfied with what Mr McKenzie has said. We are just waiting to see the outcome of what is going to be done. We are really satisfied. He [sat] and he listened to our views,” Johnson said.

Prior to the meeting, Johnson stated that vendors were in need of major assistance.

“We have some terrible problems down here and no one to talk to. When rain fall we a flood out in yah. When you ready, the market stink. We in ya suh a suffer and a suffer bad. We need some help,” the vendor said.