NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Recently installed president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Damian Salmon has walked into the role with big plans for major developments in the resort town.

Salmon brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as president of the chamber a decade ago and more recently its first vice-president.

He told the Jamaica Observer that his priorities this time around will include infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.

Salmon, co-owner and operator of the popular Rockhouse and Skylark Negril Beach Resort, highlighted his deep involvement with the chamber over many years, which he said has allowed him to forge strong relationships with key stakeholders and Government entities.

According to him, this network will be crucial in addressing Negril’s pressing issues.

He said improving the infrastructure in Negril will be his big-ticket item.

“The most glaring one right now is the roundabout,” Salmon said, referring to the long-stalled project.

The new chamber president said he plans to work closely with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) to ensure completion of the roundabout in a style and quality that benefits Negril and helps uplift the town.

Beyond the roundabout Salmon said street lighting is a critical concern and he will aim to address the “very dark” downtown areas and extend lighting all the way up to the golf course, along the Beach and West End roads.

In addition, Salmon said he is actively pursuing, in collaboration with Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Danree Delancy, plans for a sidewalk along West End Road.

This initiative, the chamber president believes, will significantly benefit smaller businesses by allowing people to walk safely from one establishment to another, a stark contrast to the current dangerous conditions.

“That’s something that’s already on the table. It’s something that has been talked about for a long, long time but the mayor says that he’s willing to work with the chamber to do all the engineering, to do the surveying, which is the first step that you would have to do to get that done,” stated Salmon.

Environmental stewardship is also central to Salmon’s agenda and he outlined plans to revolutionise waste management, starting with the chamber-owned recycling centre which is now leased to Recycling Partners of Jamaica and the introduction of another recycling company, Smilozone Waste Management.

“They are not in competition with each other. One recycles plastic and one is glass and hopefully soon cardboard. They’re in a space that is leased by the chamber, both of them. They’re right next to each other, so hopefully they can work together,” stated Salmon who made it clear that he wants to see more done to keep the resort town clean.

“I really think we have to do more with separating garbage,” he said as he lamented what he described as the current inconsistent and inefficient collection system.

He envisions a system where residents and businesses are encouraged to separate plastics, glass, and cardboard, with dedicated bins.

“We are trying to get NSWMA (National Solid Waste Management Authority) to come to the party too; to sit down at the table so we can have a better idea about what we can do to make the garbage collection and separation [of waste] a better and better proposition in Negril and, for that matter, all around the island. We would love to try and use Negril as a benchmark to try and see if we can improve the situation as it is right now,” declared Salmon.

He told the Observer that solid waste collection by the NSWMA in the resort town is inconsistent while garbage bins, provided by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and placed along the sidewalk in 2018 have now become an eyesore.

“There are a lot of issues with garbage on the West End and a lack of garbage bins. Some of the garbage bins that TEF organised through TPDCo to install quite a few years ago, those bins have become garbage themselves… Some of them are still in good condition and get used. Some of them are no longer installed and I would love to try again to work towards separating garbage,” argued the chamber president, who added that he will be trying to work with TEF to see how best additional bins can be put in place.

He said another critical environmental challenge is Negril’s undersized and outdated sewerage system.

Salmon wants the adoption of new, contemporary technologies for sewage treatment that are environmentally friendly, avoiding the use of large ponds and preventing discharge into rivers.

He argued that Negril is a “very sensitive environmental area”, with its delicate balance of the morass, springs, reef, and beach, all of which are interdependent.

Salmon’s vision also includes community enrichment and he is keen to establish a robust music programme for children. His goal is to work with other stakeholders, including the Negril Entertainment Association, on that project.

The damaged community centre, which lost its roof during Hurricane Melissa last October, is another priority for the new chamber president.

While the land is owned by the Urban Development Corporation and managed by the Negril/Green Island Area Local Planning Authority, Salmon believes getting this vital community space back up and running would significantly benefit the town.

Additionally, the long-discussed fruit and vegetable market remains on his radar. With plans approved and land secured, Salmon hopes to push this project forward, acknowledging the decades-long efforts of individuals like former chamber President Daniel Grizzle.

Salmon, who took over from Elaine Allen Bradley, will lead a board that includes Simone Goffe as first vice-president, and Lady Jan Samuels as second vice-president.

The long-promised improvement to the Negril roundabout will be among the priorities for new president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Damian Salmon. (Photos: Anthony Lewis)