MONTEGO BAY, St James — Following a visit to the Montego Bay Fishing Village, People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding is convinced the facility has a lot to offer.

“There is tremendous potential to develop it in a way where it is synergistic with its status as a fishing village. Because why aren’t the best…seafood restaurants not right here on this property, where people can come in like me as a person that eats fish? That’s what I would like to see, but I don’t really see that going on right here so now,” he said.

Golding was speaking with the Jamaica Observer during a visit to the facility while on tour of St James Central alongside the party’s standard-bearer, Senator Janice Allen, other members of the party’s hierarchy and supporters.

The fishing village is mainly home to fisherfolk who make a living from the sea. It also houses a cooperative and a few business establishments including restaurants and bars. On Tuesday, Golding shared his vision for the “large property” which he noted is “right in the heart of Montego Bay, by the sea”.

“It needs some concentrated effort to mobilise all the stakeholders to move in a common direction. It is something which could be better organised and the aesthetic appeal could be improved without losing its character,” he remarked.

Allen, who is aiming to represent the area after the votes are counted in the next general election, echoed similar sentiments.

“Certainly it has such great potential and it’s why I wanted the leader to come and see and appreciate…what I have been seeing and understanding that for us to go forward.

“For it to work, it has to have leadership at a level that is intending for it to not lose what it is but at the same time to develop it in a certain way that Montegonians and visitors to the city can enjoy the experience that is right here in the heart of the city, on the seaside for all of us to appreciate,” said Allen.

She insisted that the fishing village should be looked at with an even more critical eye, given its role within the community.

“It’s another economic zone that can be viable for those who are fishers,” she insisted.

For his part, Golding believes there is need for more work to be done at the level of the cooperative to make it more beneficial for everyone involved.

“Some of the main influential people have concerns about the lack of cohesiveness of the organisation and the need for it to be revamped under more sort of governance principled basis so that it can move forward,” he explained.

“I think that is very achievable, it just needs the kind of support that will enable that to happen,” he insisted.

Golding, who told the Observer that the visit to the fishing village provided him with an opportunity to interact with individuals on the ground, said he enjoyed the visit.

“Everybody is very friendly and happy to see me,” he declared.

Golding and his team also made a visit to the nearby Harbour Street Craft market where he told operators they would receive greater support with a PNP-led Government.

“I know that you’ve felt neglected and dejected for many years now. I know things are very hard and you not getting the level of support that you should. You can count on us to try and work with you,” he promised.

“When we form Government we will be seeking ways to make the craft markets more vibrant economically, to encourage more businesses to come your way, collaborating in a proactive way with the hotel sector because everybody has to live well together and everybody should get a piece of the pie; can’t be all on one hand or two hands,” Golding declared.

People’s National Party President Mark Golding (third right); the party’s standard-bearer for St James North Western Allan Bernard (second right); and other stakeholders during Tuesday’s walk-through of Montego Bay Fishing Village.

People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding (left) and the party’s standard bearer for St James East Central Senator Janice Allen (right), engage with Gwendolyn Campbell and her daughter, Diana Topper during a visit to a craft market in Montego Bay on Tuesday.