Martha Brae rafting resumes August 12

Rafting on the Martha Brae in Trelawny, which was prohibited in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, August 12.

It is unclear, however, if Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ warning about tougher coronavirus control measures might trigger the reimposition of an industry lockdown.

Florence Campbell, administrative assistant at River Rafting, said that several setbacks over compensation had delayed the restart of rafting by two weeks.

“The 80 raftsmen had requested a subsidy of $14,000 to rebuild rafts. River Rafting offered $10,000, which was refused,” Campbell told The Gleaner.

“That figure was up to $12,000, and this was accepted.”

Edgar Harrison, a raftsman with more than 30 years experience at the company, which started in 1970, is expressing disappointment about how raftsmen have been treated in relation to the Government’s COVID relief grants for workers in the tourism industry.

“All of us were promised, but not one of us has received anything. Everything which was required of us has been given – but not even one dollar,” said Harrison.

Campbell lamented the nondelivery of relief grants as “terrible” and “shameful”.

“I have been given the runaround by all who should give me information. River Rafting Authority has directed me to the Tourism Product Development Company,” said the administrative assistant.

“They have, in turn, directed me to the Ministry of Finance. There is an impenetrable wall around that ministry.”