MONTEGO BAY, St James — President of Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Oral Heaven says the chamber’s Cornwall Regional Hospital committee will be unrelentingly tracking the progress of work to meet the hospital’s new completion deadline.

Project manager for the multi-billion-dollar upgrading of the facility, Vivian Gordon recently revealed that completion is now set for 2026 — a year later than the deadline last provided by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton.

“We’ve been informed recently of a 30-month timeline… 30 months from October 2023 for the completion of our hospital. We at the Montego Bay Commerce and Industry will be diligent and monitor the progress through the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cornwall Regional Hospital Committee that was formed last year, ensuring our parish and western Jamaica receive the well-needed facility,” Heaven said.

“There are many who have expressed to us as a chamber their great concern regarding the prolonged delay in the completion of that Type A hospital. The business community and the people of western Jamaica have long awaited the completion of this vital health-care facility,” he added.

Heaven was speaking during the MBCCI Annual Awards Banquet last Saturday night.

“Our residents deserve access to world-class medical amenities, and it is our duty as a business advocate group to ensure that this well-needed facility becomes a reality,” he said.

Heaven also used the occasion to express concern over the impact that crime is having on the business sector.

“The crime monster continues to plague us and create increased operational costs for our businesses, and rob us of our families, our friends and, of course, our workers,” he said.

On November 23 a 14-day state of public emergency (SOE) was declared for St James, Hanover, Clarendon, and St Catherine. This came on the heels of a previous SOE for St James, aimed at cauterising criminal activity in the parish.

Heaven underscored that the recent surge in criminal activity and the concerns being expressed by business operators and other individuals highlight the urgent need for the enhanced security measures.

“There are those who have expressed concerns about the current state of emergency, the second in three weeks, which has been implemented as a measure to combat the rising crime rates in our beloved city. Now, while we recognise the necessity of such action we must acknowledge the negative impact that crime has on the business community. The imposition of a second state of emergency is a stark reminder of the persistent challenges facing us here as a city. Our businesses and our livelihoods of our city are directly affected,” he noted.

The MBCCI president charged members of the business community to unite in order to prevail over the challenges confronting the sector.

“In times like these it’s important to draw inspiration from the words of others. As Helen Keller [American author] once said, ‘Alone, we can do little: together we can do much.’ Let the strength of our unity be the driving force behind our endeavours. Let us work together so we can overcome the challenges we face as a business community,” Heaven urged.