Black River Market remains in shambles - Vendors voice concerns about run-down state of the facility

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU: Despite plans by member of parliament for South West St Elizabeth, Dr Christopher Tufton, to establish the Black River Market as a heritage site, vendors are demanding that the long-standing problems associated with the facility be addressed expeditiously.

The vendors say the market has been in a state of disrepair for more than three decades and, now, enough is enough.

"Twenty-three years mi selling here now, and all the talk, all now nothing done," an irate Sarah Beckford told Western Focus. "I lose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods. Sometimes I credit the goods, yet I pay market fee."

The 57-year-old native of Newmarket in the parish said she has continued over the years because this is what she has been doing all her life.

According to the vendors, the facility is completely submerged when it rains, forcing them to seek higher ground, losing their goods in the process. The unsanitary condition under which work, and the unkempt drains in the area, are also cause for concern.

Only a handful of vendors now occupy the run-down facility, with the majority of the sellers setting up shop in clusters at every available space on the streets of Black River.

Superintendent Maurice Robinson, commanding officer for the St Elizabeth Police Division, would not entertain an interview on street vending when the news team visited his office last Friday. A reluctant David Parkes, secretary manager at the St Elizabeth Parish Council, was unable to say much.

Lack of funds

But a source at the council who requested anonymity said efforts have been made to address the problem of flooding.

"The ideal thing would be a new market, but the issue of funding is the sticking point as you would imagine," he said. "But, for the short term, the floor of the market needs to be raised to remedy the flooding problem, while work must be done in cleaning up the area."

However, Tufton, who served as minister of agriculture and fisheries up until June 30, is going ahead with the refurbishing of the market. The project will be tackled in two phases, and will follow the soon-to-be completed $38-million fish market, which is adjacent to the market.

"The first phase of the market is expected to cost $45 million, and is being piloted by the parish council," Tufton said in an email response to Western Focus. "Cabinet is to consider the proposal and, once approved, construction will begin."

The move is in keeping with a vision to position Black River as a heritage and craft attraction. Wth the town already experiencing some amount of tourist visits, the market would enhance the package to the visitors.

"Improving the conditions for both vendors and customers will give our visitors an opportunity to experience a Jamaican marketplace, while supporting our local vendors," he added.

When completed, the Black River Market will consist of a haberdashery, food and meat section, while there will be improvement to the sanitary convenience, delivery and parking areas.