The construction of a multimillion-dollar fruit and vegetable market for Negril is back on track following a long period of delays. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and the Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Bertel Moore have apparently put aside their differences, which has allowed for speedy movement on the project.
Earlier this year, McKenzie was enraged at the sight of multiple shops erected where the new market is to be constructed. He blamed the mayor's refusal to evict squatters for holding up the project. The mayor argued that he would only ask the vendors to move after suitable arrangements were put in place to minimize disruption to their commercial activities.
Last Friday, McKenzie found that a site has been prepared for temporary relocation of 25 vendors which will pave the way for the project to move forward. The temporary relocation site, which belongs to the housing ministry, has been cleared and covered with marl in preparation for the vendors.
In 2017, the project was projected at $76 million. McKenzie, who said the contract will be put to tender shortly, shied away from providing an estimate of what the project will now cost taxpayers.
Source: jamaicaobserver.com
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