A REPORT HIGHLIGHTING THE DECLINE OF THE RESORT TOWN
OCHO RIOS, St Ann; Oct. 30, 2024
Ocho Rios Town, St Ann, which is less than one square mile in area, is becoming a really ugly, unkempt, and chaka chaka place.
Pictures taken for the North Coast Times show the results of failing systems. Some of its streets, once off-limit to illegal vending, now have several regular stalls. In some cases, the vending is from the back or top of vehicles. Some vending is from tents and in other cases people just set out their goods for display on the sidewalks.
(Inside Ochi bus park)
Goods on sale include fruits, haberdashery items, cooked meals, clothing and footwear.
Newlin Street and DaCosta Drive once off limits to vending are overtaken by activity. Parking spots are taken up by vending stalls, leaving motorists to park on private plazas or double park, resulting in congestion.
(Permanent stalls in the parking bay next to the Juci Patty store, across from Sagicor at Newlin Street)
One of the ugliest parts of the town is the area of the Transport Centre – 100 yards from the main Ocho Rios police station — across from the market. The entrance road is full of potholes. The centre itself is unkempt. Brush and grass grow in the actual bus lanes.
(At Bus Bay in Park)
The stalls are all over the place. Many are shuttered. As to the sanitary facilities – stay clear.
(Nearer exit. Closed shops)
The Transport centre was the scene of a demonstration in January early this year. This was followed by a tour and promises. Involved in the tour, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie, then JLP Caretaker candidate Matthew Samuda and Councillor for Ocho Rios Michael Belnavis.
PROTEST AT BUS PARK SPARKS MINISTERIAL TOUR
The streets and public places of the town were toured last year by a senior police official, Councillor for the area Michael Belnavis (now Mayor) and senior officials of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, including the CEO Jennifer Brown Cunningham and the Chief Engineering Officer (Works). Vendors were personally approached and warned of action to be taken against them should they continue the takeover of the town. Now, there are more vendors in more places than at that time.
(Pictures below — Just outside the entrance gate to the Bus Park)
J
