McKenzie says restoration of Ocho Rios Market will take time
ST ANN, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie says there will be no “finger-snap” response to the fire that left sections of the Ocho Rios Market gutted as he urged affected vendors to exercise patience.
“[I share my] sympathy with those vendors who have been affected, I can see the magnitude of the damage that has occurred and the impact that it will have on those who are affected. I want to make it clear that there is no snapping of the finger response to the situation,” he said.
The minister said that assessments into the fire, which occurred late Sunday, were ongoing and headed by the Social Development Commission (SDC) and Fire Brigade. Following this, he said the government will look at the next steps.
“I am going to be urging the vendors not to expect an overnight fix to the problem because that is not possible. I know it is difficult but an overnight fix is not going to be the answer. Once we have done the assessment, I have already discussed with Minister [Mathew Samuda], the Member of Parliament for the area, some approaches that we will take,” he said.
Though ministerial assistance is being sought to assist the vendors, McKenzie was conservative with his assessment, “At this time I do want to tell anybody that by tomorrow we will remedy the situation. That is not going to happen.”
At least 10 vendors are thought to have been affected.
