KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader and president of the People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding, applauded Mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, for the renovation works completed at the Cross Roads Market in St Andrew.

Golding was speaking during a tour of the facility on Saturday morning, where the restrooms, roadway, and some stalls at the market were rehabilitated.

Golding stated that he had brought Mayor Swaby’s attention to the market after he toured the facility some years ago and saw its deplorable condition.

“The background to this tour is that the Cross Roads Market has been neglected for many years. Having toured it a few years ago and seeing the sorry state of the market, I was anxious to see improvements. So, when Mayor (Andrew) Swaby became the Mayor of the KSAMC (Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation), I reached out to him and told him that he needed to come and have a look at it. He did, and he agreed with me that it was a priority matter right in the heart of Cross Roads. He jumped on the case with alacrity and has managed to find the resources to make substantial improvements,” Golding said.

Earlier this year, Mayor Swaby declared that $25 million would be allocated to fixing seven bathrooms at the Cross Roads and Coronation markets following a report from Chief Public Inspector Grayson Hutchinson that these facilities required immediate attention.

During the tour, Golding pointed out the previous condition of the Cross Roads Market and the work that has been done to correct the issues.

During the tour, Golding pointed out the previous condition of the market and the work that has been done to correct the issues.

“The roadway on which you are standing, for example, was in a deplorable condition—it was muddy, full of craters, and in very bad shape, especially when wet,” he told the media.

“The bathroom facilities were appalling, and garbage collection was sub-par. He has tackled all of those critical areas and also brought improvements inside the meat section, where they have provided stainless steel tops to some of the vendors’ stalls, which is the best-in-class kind of practice required by public health authorities. They have also done some paintwork on the exterior to make it look better,” Golding added.

He went on to invite the public to visit the newly upgraded market but highlighted that many other markets across Jamaica need similar attention.

“I encourage all customers in the corporate area to check out Cross Roads Market and support the vendors. It’s a new day and a new vibe, and the vendors are feeling very upbeat because the conditions in which they are working are much more to their liking and are much more in keeping with what they deserve. There are many markets in Jamaica that need this kind of attention, and it is a priority because this is where business is conducted, especially for the small business community and people who shop from them,” the Opposition leader said.

He also applauded Mayor Swaby for his swift action in completing the renovations, highlighting that it was completed within 100 days of the mayor taking over the KSAMC.

“So, I want to just say kudos to our new mayor. He is making a huge difference, and of course, I must also commend the councillor for this particular region, Louise Newland, who worked with Mayor Swaby. For us here in South St Andrew, we are very happy and thank the mayor for the work he has done early in his tenure—first hundred days project and we are seeing the results,” Golding said.