Clarendon needs development dialogue

Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

WHILE THEY all agreed on the need for a sense of urgency relating to the development of the parish capital, May Pen, and by extension, Clarendon itself, members of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, civil society, the police, and non-governmental organisations differ on the route to achieve their common objective. Promoting ecotourism, controlling crime, infrastructure development, capacity development, and unemployment were some of the issues raised.

The need for dialogue among all stakeholders and consensus on the way forward were highlighted during a parish-development forum hosted jointly by The Gleaner and the Chamber of Commerce at the Versalles Hotel on Thursday.

Here is a synopsis of some of the views expressed.

Tim Lankester - businessman

The development plans for May Pen appear to be a state secret and I am sort of upset by this. I would like to see it on the Web, I would like to see it in brochures and ways in which the public at large can see the plans whatever else is going on. I just think there needs to be wider involvement.

Derrick Lambert - businessman

We need to develop capacity building as it concerns leadership at every level. We need to identify resources, and when I say identify, I mean we must have a database. What obtains presently: Do we have five mechanics in Clarendon, six electricians?

Ergis Lewin - taxi operator

I think the number-one problem we have is crime, and the number two is unemployment.

Dathan Henry - senior superintendent of police

We want to see skills training for the marginalised youth in the community and an improvement in the infrastructure in the inner-city communities - better layout so that the police can operate more effectively.

Ealane Livingston-Smith - community relations officer

From Jamalco's point of view, we believe education is crucial to the growth of the parish, hence our focus on capacity building and also on creating alternative economic opportunities for persons to own their own businesses - that is also critical.

Milton Brown - mayor of May Pen

I think we need a sustainable-development plan to be completed and made available to all persons locally and abroad, and I really think we need to place greater emphasis on human development, and that will make a greater difference to the parish.

Aldo Brown - president, Chamber of Commerce

Infrastructure development is needed. I would love to see the day when I can travel from Negril to Clarendon in two to two and a half hours. I'd love to see the day when we no longer have what we call captured land, or informal settlements, in this country, and I must concur with the others about education and skills development.

Noel Arscott - businessman/MP for South West Clarendon

I would love to twin the development of Vernamfield with Milk River (Bath) as a significant catalyst for development, and I would love to see the historic side of Clarendon being developed.

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com