Low funds stall building of new Spaldings Market

George Henry, Gleaner Writer

NORTH WEST Clarendon member of parliament (MP) Michael Stern has blamed a lack of funding for foot-dragging on the construction of a new market in Spaldings, which lies on the Clarendon-Manchester border, five years after the vending facility was slated to be completed.

Demolition of the previous market structure has left vendors out in the cold. The sellers resorted to selling in sections of the transport centre in the town, but busmen and taxi drivers have complained that their presence was causing congestion and posed safety risks for both transport operators and commuters.

In response to those concerns, the Clarendon Parish Council has allowed vendors to hawk their wares on the market grounds.

Stern, who said he was working closely with the council to get the work going, claimed that the old structure was demolished without a viable funding plan, which, he said, resulted in piecemeal construction.

"More than $6 million was spent from an allocation made by the Urban Development Corporation. However, the building failed to come off the ground, despite so much funds being spent," said Stern.

$45m estimate

But that was a drop in the bucket, as the cost of the new market was estimated at $45 million.

"The decision was taken to bring the project out the ground, at least to the road level, from the rear of the building to the front; and the MP would have seen to that in terms of the funding that would have been needed for that, as part as my contribution to the first phase of the project," said Stern.

Stern told The Gleaner that $27 million was spent on the first phase, and the Clarendon Parish Council, one of 14 islandwide municipal authorities which are already cash-strapped, should have contributed the majority of the funding for the second phase. He stated that foundation was now in place for the next phase of the work, which is to commence on the next floor.

"The estimate for the frame, which the parish council did to continue the work, was $13 million, but they only have $5 million, and we are now seeking more funding to do the work," the MP revealed.

Though mum on details, Stern said negotiations were under way to secure additional funding. He pointed out recently that if those talks were successful, work on the market would resume within a few weeks, but construction has remained at a standstill.

However, a lot of work is left to be done, including framing the upstairs of the facility; installation of the roof; partitions for shops; and construction of an area for the sale of ground provisions, as well as a meat-vending area.

"The area for the sale of meat is almost ready for that purpose. The bathrooms are already in place, so, therefore, I have given instruction for the market to be opened temporarily on Fridays and Saturdays, so that vendors who are being harassed on the streets may have space there to sell until construction starts again," said Stern.