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McKenzie in full support of Crab Circle shutdown

Local gov’t minister to meet with vendors to discuss way forward

Published:Saturday | October 7, 2023 | 12:09 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
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Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie (right) tours a section of the Falmouth Gardens community in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Friday alongside Tova Hamilton (centre), member of parliament for Trelawny Northern, and Edward Muir (third right), regional oper
Photo by Christopher Thomas
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie (right) tours a section of the Falmouth Gardens community in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Friday alongside Tova Hamilton (centre), member of parliament for Trelawny Northern, and Edward Muir (third right), regional operations manager for the National Solid Waste Management Authority’s Western Parks and Markets.
A closure notice placed at Crab Circle by the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department on Thursday.
Gladstone Taylor/Multimedia Photo Editor
A closure notice placed at Crab Circle by the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department on Thursday.
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WESTERN BUREAU:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Minister Desmond McKenzie plans to meet with Crab Circle vendors next week to determine the next steps following Thursday’s shutdown of the food spot as a result of health and safety concerns.

“Crab Circle is in my constituency [Kingston Western], and I was the one who got the place fixed up. It is an unfortunate incident, and it is not one that anyone can offer any excuse about, and the actions that were taken by the public health department and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), I am in full support and I agree with the steps that have been taken,” McKenzie said on Friday as he toured sections of Trelawny.

“I will go further to say that I intend to have a meeting with the vendors next week to discuss with them the challenges and the steps that need to be taken. We also are mindful that it is the livelihood of many Jamaicans, but we cannot use that as an excuse to justify what has gone viral and what has damaged the brand of that location,” McKenzie added, citing the unsanitary actions of a vendor, who was captured in amateur footage wiping her buttocks at a food station.

The location lacks adequate water and bathroom facilities.

“We are going to be working with them to ensure that we try and restore them, and restoration is not going to come easy. That is going to come with a challenge, and we are prepared to work with them to meet it.”

RECENTLY RENOVATED

The Crab Circle location, which is popular for cooked crabs, roasted and boiled corn, roasted yam, roasted salt fish and soup, was renovated by J. Wray and Nephew, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the KSAMC in April 2022.

Yesterday, J. Wray & Nephew distanced itself from the incident.

In a statement, it said that it had fulfilled its obligations under a memorandum of understanding that was signed with the KSAMC.

It noted that this did not include addressing infrastructure needs at the establishment.

The company said despite the setback, it remains dedicated to the welfare of all who depend on Crab Circle.

Asked yesterday what his ministry is prepared to do to ensure compliance with food safety regulations by vendors across Jamaica, McKenzie said that the country’s mayors will need to make the appropriate assessments of food handler’s permit compliance in their respective municipalities.

“The calls will be for the mayors because, first of all, no one ought to be selling or preparing food without a food handler’s permit. Once that assessment is done, if you are not in possession of a valid food handler’s permit, then you ought not to be operating,” said McKenzie.

“In the spaces that are controlled by local government, our markets, I have already started to speak to mayors about what they need to do to ensure that persons are compliant.”

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com