NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie was left disgruntled Wednesday following a tour of a property earmarked for construction of the long-awaited Negril fruit and vegetable market.

“I am very, very disappointed and I am being very, very kind with my words. The last time I was here, the bathroom facilities were connected by the National Water Commission. Everything that was required was provided and this is the end result. The lights that were installed were destroyed. The place is being used for other reasons,” he said in an obvious reference to what appears to be a makeshift garage on the property.

“It means that the municipal corporation has not been paying attention here, and what they need to be doing, they have not been doing that; and that is why we find what exists there at this time,” said the minister.

McKenzie had earlier visited a nearby property that was retrofitted with sanitary facilities and lighting infrastructure for relocation of approximately 25 vendors who are currently on the property earmarked for the market. That was phase one of the project. However, approximately two years since the minister’s last visit, it appears that the project is in jeopardy.

McKenzie said he intends to be back in the parish next week Friday and will dedicate the entire day to dealing with the situation.

“I’m prepared not to say much at this point in time but I will be meeting with the Chamber of Commerce. I will be meeting with the municipal corporation because a commitment has been made since 2016 — my first visit here — about this mandate. And the things that I’m going to say next week, I’m not prepared to say [now],” stated the minister.

He did say, however, “We are not getting the kind of support that is required for a very important project like this to get on the way.”

When asked for clarity on the support he spoke of, the minister elaborated.

“Look, as I said before, I am disappointed. This is not the ministry’s responsibility to execute this project. The ministry provides funding and technical support. We have done that. It’s not a question of money. The money is there for the construction. But there is no way for the project to get under way and I will speak more about it,” McKenzie told the Jamaica Observer.

On October 11, 2023 Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western Morland Wilson told the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives that phase two of the project would need to be approved by Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) and other agencies.

Over the years, there have been squabbles between the ministry and the WMC, which, at the time, was being led by Mayor Bertel Moore.

Moore was harshly criticised by McKenzie for lengthy delays in the approval of building plans prepared by the ministry and submitted to the corporation for approval.

In February this year, chief executive officer of WMC Andre Griffiths told the corporation’s regular monthly general meeting that the plan was approved and the corporation was looking forward to receiving funding for work to begin.

On Wednesday, McKenzie apologised to the public for the protracted delay.

“I want to apologise to those who have been waiting. Not just to the vendors, but to the wider community who had expectations that this market would have been up and running,” stated the minister.