PORT ANTONIO, Portland — CEO of the Portland Municipal Corporation (PMC), Megan Bramwell has given an assurance that proper procedures will be followed in responding to stakeholders’ needs in the aftermath of the massive fire that recently ravaged Musgrave Market in Port Antonio.

READ: Market, businesses ravaged by fire in Port Antonio

“We can assure you that due processes will follow in terms of constructing a building, or whatever we have decided to do, and will go through the Ministry of Local Government,” she said.

Bramwell was responding to concerns raised by minority leader Councillor Wayne McKenzie (People’s National Party, Prospect Division) during last Thursday’s monthly sitting of the local body. While tipping his hat to the Members of Parliament and the Action Ann Foundation for the support provided in spearheading efforts to get the facility up and running and support its vendors, Councillor McKenzie cautioned that efforts should be made to ensure established guidelines are followed. He questioned the role of the various players, within the context of responsibilities of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

READ: Action Ann Foundation assists Musgrave Market fire victims

“If we are going to construct a new market then the whole process of tendering and everything should be in place. While I appreciate the fastest possible resolve, I hope that there is clear transparency,” said the councillor.

“I wouldn’t want to know that there is a company that we brought in and then we go around the normal procedure. I don’t know what the intention is but I’m just putting the caution as we expect everything to follow due process. Many times systems and procedures come under scrutiny when due process is not followed,” McKenzie cautioned.

CEO Bramwell assured him that both the PMC and the Local Government Ministry are playing an active role in the ongoing efforts.

“The market is indeed ours and we have rented the space to the vendors. But we are not liable to compensate them for loss of anything. The minister of local government is playing an integral part in what is happening, I’ve been in dialogue with the permanent secretary and they are awaiting the estimates.

“What they did was the first tranche of $10 million to get the market cleaned. Allied Insurance came, we are awaiting their report as well as the fire department’s report. From there we will forward the report to the Ministry of Local Government to continue what they have started in relation to a further amount of money,” said Bramwell.

Superintendent of Works Raymond Grant also assured Councillor McKenzie that there have been no procedural missteps in efforts to rebuild the structure.

“If it is something that requires us going to tender and so forth that will be done. Or, if it’s being done through the parish council or being done privately then it will be handled separately. There is a team of engineers that will be visiting the market sometime today (Thursday) from the Ministry of Local Government as the ministry is actively assisting the process and further discussion will be had as to how we move forward.”

– Everard Owen