Old Harbour Market bathroom facility renovated

The project was spearheaded by the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce (SSCCC) in collaboration with the St Catherine Municipal Corporation and members of the business community.

Indeed, the completion of the facility represents the first important step in bringing public order and cleanliness to the fastest growing town in the country, Treacha Reid, president, of the SSCCC said this morning during a tour with Mayor Norman Scott, chairman of the municipality, among other important officials.

Reid, who took over the reins of the then Old Harbour Chamber of Commerce, before it was formally rebranded in January of this year, says the work being done demonstrates their commitment to partnering with various stakeholder groups to restore civic pride in the town.

“When the chamber was renamed we made a vow to work with everybody irrespective of political affiliation or status. We made a commitment then that we want to make Old Harbour the cleanest town in Jamaica. We’ve had several meetings with all the stakeholders and everybody agree that the town can look better, can smell fresher and can become a model for other towns. So far the support has been great and I can’t thank enough all the persons involved for their total commitment,” Reid told Old Harbour News afterwards.

The president further stated that “while I must commend all our stakeholders, this is no time to celebrate. Work has already begun customizing 120 drums which we will strategically place throughout the town.

“The plan to sensitize the vendors and the general public on the importance of a clean, organized town will require our full attention and will represent our biggest challenge yet. But I want to make it abundantly clear; the period of sensitizing our vendors is not to bully them or destroy their goods, but to educate them about the benefits to them having a structured town, one that respect law and order.”

In the weeks ahead the stakeholder group will engage vendors in a series of meetings before a period of enforcement comes into effect.

By renovating the bathroom and improving the lighting quality the group is hopeful that vendors will comply with the new shift in paradigm.  

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Mayor Scott. “I must commend the chamber of commerce for conceptualizing such an idea, it has saved the municipality quite a penny and with stakeholders like these it augurs well for the parish and Jamaica… and it means volunteerism is alive and well.”

Steve Graham, councillor of the Old Harbour Central Division urged vendors present to “cooperate with the plans” being pursued, while Paulette Tulloch, a vendor, implored her colleagues to “take pride” in expressing gratitude on their behalf.

Chief of police for the Old Harbour zone DSP Damion Manderson lauded the initiative, calling it “a good opening partnership off to a good start”.

“Public order is critical for personal and public security. No criminal can thrive successfully in an orderly society,” Manderson said to resounding applause from vendors.

Among the stakeholders that contributed to the this noble cause are: The National Commercial Bank, Scotiabank Jamaica, W&B Hardware, Homer Plus Hardware, the Jamaica Energy Partners, Stewart’s Hardware, Dr Kurt Waul and Member of Parliament Everald Warmington.