Sugar Ray Thomas
The fears expressed over a year ago by vendors at the Faith’s Pen rest stop in St. Ann that there business would be hurt by the opening of the Linstead to Moneague leg of Highway 2000 have been realized. Since the highway opened last year August, sales have declined sharply as not many vehicles pass that way again.
Some vendors have left that spot and gone on to the western exit at the highway near Moneague. But they say they are being harassed and sales are not good. Besides, some motorists have been asking about the sanitation at those new vending spots.
Investigations by The Times reveals there is no concrete plans known to the vendors of any move to relocate even some of them, although officials suggest that a rest stop will be set up at Unity Valley along the highway.
It’s too early to say what will happen to traffic passing Faith’s Pen now that toll rates along the highway were increased, sharply, for most categories of vehicles, as of last Friday, September 11.However, even as vendors at Faith’s Pen complain about the loss of business, some feel that the highway alone cannot be blamed as the only reason for the decline in sales by the vendors. It is felt that extortion has also driven away some of the business.
The dying Faith Pen’s rest stop
When The Times visited the Faith’s Pen rest stop, it was a scene of desperation and loss of hope for those vendors. If any car passes by, the vendors are quick to signal to them, encouraging the occupants to stop.
The area has thirty shops, but not all shops are operating, as many vendors, who either pay rent or own the shops, have left out of frustration or have relocated to other areas near Ocho Rios.
A vendor at the rest stop since 1995, Nigel Wilson explained that he once earned between $20,000 and $30,000 a day by selling food items such as jerk chicken, roast breadfruit and yam, goat head soup and roast corn. However, his business has now declined significantly as few vehicles are stopping. “Sometime me haffi dump the things dem, because dem don’t sell none t’all. Business jus tuff because from morning a only two vehicle pass here,” he explained.
Tricia, who operates a business in the area for over 20 years, expressed sentiments that they have been forgotten and wants political representation. “The political representatives not backing anybody. If a even dat we could get. Red Stripe who use to be here supporting us gone long time. From morning a only two hundred dollar me mek, so nutten nah gwaan fi yah so,” explained Tricia.
Another vendor, who identified herself as Lisa, said she had heard plans of relocation, but she said she has yet to see anything.
There was some hope though, among the hopeless, as Nigel Wilson indicates that he is hoping that the Chinese will work together with other partners to develop Faith’s Pen and help the vendors. “I believe the Chinese and Alcan should come together to help Faith’s Pen. Is just like we lef inna a hole, because nobody nah drive pass yah so again like one time. Me believe di Chinese doing a good job, but dem need to do more to help the remaining vendors, because a just us young people carrying on.” Mr. Wilson told The Times.
Response of the Authorities: Next Week in The Times
