Ocho Rios Transport Centre to get $7-million facelift
THE OCHO Rios Transportation Centre in St Ann is to get a major facelift funded by a $7-million injection through the Equalisation Fund. The announcement was made by Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie during a visit to the facility, a vital hub for public transportation and small businesses, on Friday, January 26.
He said the funding, derived from estimates prepared by the St Ann Municipal Corporation, will be used to initiate immediate remedial work, including painting, on the centre.
“The ministry is also going to be engaging the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in expanding the work that is taking place at the transportation centre, and to see how best we can improve the conditions,” McKenize outlined.
Repairs to the roads within the centre are under way, and the sewage system, which recently experienced problems, has been successfully corrected to prevent future incidents.
Additionally, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is actively involved in the area, conducting repairs and installing streetlights to improve overall safety and visibility.
“I want to commend the people who operate inside here. They are the ones who came forward and offered to undertake some of the remedial work. In fact, this (road patching) work that is being done currently, is by people who saw the need and have responded in a very positive way,” McKenize explained.
He emphasised the significance of the transportation centre, which serves as a lifeline for numerous transport operators, small business operators and the public, who rely on efficient public transportation services.
In the meantime, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda, underscored the importance of a coordinated effort among various agencies to bring about lasting results.
He expressed gratitude for the commitment of funds from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, while acknowledging the swift response of local officials and the business community.
“I thank the business community that assisted us to get the work started, while the proper governance processes are followed to [obtain the funds necessary for] repairing the transportation centre,” Samuda said.
“Ultimately, the business people and transport operators need a functional facility to operate and feed their families. Equally important, the functioning of the town at large requires this facility to function, so that traffic does not back up and disrupt public order,” he added.
General Manager of the UDC, L. Robert Honeyghan, affirmed the entity’s dedication to Ocho Rios and its residents.
He stated that the UDC will collaborate to explore opportunities for expanding and enhancing the overall infrastructure of the transportation centre.