HOPEWELL, Hanover – Executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Dr Carey Wallace has apologised for debris left at a popular public beach in Hanover after work done by TEF, saying the debris which sparked public outrage has been removed.

He also made it clear that contrary to some reports, the World Bank had nothing to do with the ill-fated clean-up project. TEF, he said, was solely responsible and accepts that it erred.

Orchard Beach in Hopewell, Hanover, popularly called Old Steamer Beach, was recently cleaned as part of a little over $100-million national beach clean-up initiative for Christmas. The beach is one of several across the island that is getting much-needed attention. While the concept was applauded, the implementation fell short of expectations in Hanover. According to Wallace, he pulled out all the stops to correct the problem.

“I spoke to my director of projects in TEF and I told him, ‘Listen, by all means necessary get the debris cleaned up. It is our responsibility, so let us get it cleaned up’. And he reported to me that it was cleaned up [on Thursday],” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The issue had been raised, that same day, during the monthly general meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation. Mayor of Lucea Sheridan Samuels said mounds of debris and garbage had been left on various sections of the beach, despite TEF’s commitment to have it cleaned.

However, Councillor Devon Brown (Jamaica Labour Party, Hopewell Division) said he had been contacted that morning to assist in getting the waste removed.

The municipal corporation, the TEF, and residents met three Sundays ago to discuss plans to develop the beach. It is expected that ground will be broken by the end of the next financial year. Construction, including that for shops, restrooms, boardwalks and other amenities, is expected to last between six months and a year.