Alpart will reopen under PNP gov't, says party's caretaker for St Elizabeth South Eastern

People's National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Elizabeth South Eastern, Norman Scott, says the Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) Alpart facility in Nain, St Elizabeth, will reopen under a future PNP government.

Scott, addressing a PNP mass rally in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Wednesday night, highlighted the hardships faced by residents since the plant closed in 2019.

"I know that when the PNP returns to power, the Alpart bauxite plant that supplies and sustains the livelihood—apart from farming—of people in St Elizabeth South Eastern, the PNP will make sure that plant is once again reopened," said Scott, who is the Mayor of Spanish Town.

Initially termed a temporary closure, hopes for its reopening in 2021 faded.

Communities surrounding the plant have faced significant economic hardship since its closure.

In May, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green said work remained ongoing by the Government with the owners of the plant to get it reopened.

Speaking at the time, he outlined that during a meeting with the owners of the facility, it was noted that more than 300 persons had been employed over the last few months to conduct an asset verification exercise, as a precursor to the reopening of the refinery.

“I want to assure the residents of St Elizabeth that we expect that by the end of the year, Alpart will start the process of reopening, and that will be a massive boost for the parish,” the Minister said then.

Scott is seeking to challenge incumbent St Elizabeth South Eastern Member of Parliament Frank Witter.

Witter, who is the State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, has indicated that a new proposal for the reopening of Alpart is being considered.

Meanwhile, Scott also zeroed in on the ongoing water crisis in the constituency.

"Although St Elizabeth has the longest river, St Elizabeth South Eastern doesn't have potable water. And so, comrades, the change that the people of the constituency want—I am bringing that change. I am bringing the change where they can go into their houses and turn on water," he declared.

The constituency has voted with the governing Jamaica Labour Party in every general election since 2002.

Witter is seeking a third term.

Scott is hoping to end his streak.

- Ruddy Mathison

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