MORANT BAY, St Thomas — The Morant Bay market will be given a much-needed facelift, one of the projects on the agenda of the recently installed mayor, Councillor Hubert Williams (People’s National Party, White Horses Division).

During last Thursday’s meeting of the St Thomas Municipal Corporation, Williams outlined the approach he will be taking to the initiative. His plan is based on findings from touring the facility since being installed as mayor in late November 2022 and making note of areas that need urgent attention.

He has already started tackling the leaky roofs which have been a pain point for many years; vendors who have long been at the mercy of the elements are overjoyed. They will no doubt also be pleased to hear that Mayor Williams has plans to tackle inefficiencies in the garbage disposal system at the market.

Williams explained, during last Thursday’s meeting, that a new disposal bay will be constructed, where garbage trucks will be able to enter freely and collect waste from the facility.

“We have received a document from the health department and we have been making the necessary corrective actions to get the market up to standard,” he said.

Chief Public Health Inspector Pauline Ellington, who worked with the former administration to standardise operations at the market, said she is looking forward to collaborating with him.

“There are a number of outstanding public health issues there which are very serious and we want to have a healthy market,” she said. “I am looking forward to the vision and I am prepared to work with the mayor to see the future of the market.”

Williams has also noted the negative impact street vending is having on traffic congestion and general public order in Morant Bay. He has served notice that this is another issue he plans to address.

“We have started our anti-vending measures to get every vendor in the market. Currently, there are available spaces in the market for the incoming vendors. However, if there is a need for additional space, this will be addressed accordingly,” he vowed.

“So far we have a very high compliance rate, but you will also find a few who are not willing to comply. But we are trying to help them to understand and see the bigger picture,” the mayor added.

Also on the list of projects currently being executed by the municipal corporation is construction of a boundary wall at the Morant Bay Arcade which was destroyed by fire in May 2022. Mayor Williams hinted that it is their intention to build a new arcade in the coming financial year, which begins in April 2023.

“The wall is about 80 per cent completed. Our plan is to build a new arcade; however, we have to wait until the next financial year,” he said.

With last November’s death of Lenworth Rawle, deputy mayor and councillor for the Trinityville Division, the Jamaica Labour Party found itself with one less seat than the People’s National Party within the St Thomas municipal authority. The then mayor, Michael Hue, resigned on November 21, paving the way for Williams to step into the role.