Everyday problems like non-use of bus park, political loyalty and smells of the town cited as obstacles
Port Maria is the capital town of St. Mary, located in the northeast section of Jamaica. The capital and the parish are steeped in rich history. However, some residents of the town are clamoring for a present day reality to hit officials, including politicians — there is no great development in Port Maria.
Several residents and vendors of the town who the The Times spoke to on Thursday, September 17, shared sentiments that while it is good to have a town that maybe rich in history, more infrastructural developments and opportunities were urgently needed. Problems raised by residents run from the stench in certain areas of the town, unemployment and scarce business opportunities to the lack of cooperation by bus and taxi operators to use the bus terminus.
PORT MARIA BUS PARK
Vendors of the Port Maria Transport Arcade spoke about the lack of business. Some vendors feel that at the heart of the problem is the lack of cooperation by bus and taxi operators who refuse to use the bus terminus. “Port Maria has a lot of problems but we as vendors here so nuting nah gwaan fi we. You have di bus dem weh fi a use the park out a road a hide from police and a load. Taxi man deh all bout a hide to and a load. If dem would a cooperate and use di park I feel business wud a likkle betta fi we,” explained one vendor, who did not wish to be identified.
“Weh di politicians a do fi Port Maria? Nuting. Is a damn dump and it stink! A so them treat we to as residents and me nuh care dat a just the reality,” explained another vendor.
One vendor, who identified herself as Titta, delved into the issue faced by young persons of the town and surrounding areas. “What I think about Port Maria? Port Maria is just the name and nothing else. Nuting nuh deh ya fi nobody. If you look at many of the young people a Ochi dem dey a work in hotel or who dun University stay a Kingston. Weh dem would a come do yah? Nuting nuh deh ya. We as vendors just haffi a try go on do what we can to survive, because you don’t want sit down and nah do anything,” explained Titta.
POLITICS AND WHO KNOWS WHO
Port Maria falls in the constituency of St. Mary Central, which has been led by Dr. Morais Guy of People’s National Party (PNP) for many years and by other PNP MPs. It’s a long time PNP safe seat.
Maxine Reid, who is a resident of Frontier, a community outside the town centre, explained that politics has severely affected the people of the parish in speaking out. “I’m sure many people have told you that oh the town stink and they want development, but are they speaking out to their representatives that they elect? If an election is called today, many people will forget about Port Maria and its state of depression, and go jump on a bus and take a few dollars. Politics and who knows who is what runs this town and to a wider extent the parish,” Ms Reid explained.
“Port Maria should be the business hub of the parish where you see a lot of business, investment opportunities for foreigners or local businesses, employment for young persons and a clean town. It really is depressing when you come here sometimes,” Ms Reid added.
Vendors of the Port Maria Transport Arcade like Titta, just want to see more opportunities for their business to grow and the town to be the hub of development in the parish. “Dem close down a lot of the factories dem dat was here. We want back some of those factories in the town to make people get employment,” Titta explained.
For Maxine Reid, she just wants to see the strides at development in the town being greatly increased. “We have Hi-Lo, KFC, Courts, the banks and HEART is also here that offers training. We just want to see more business come on board in make Port Maria the capital of the North Coast. The parish council needs to clean up the town of the stench and the residents likewise need to play their part at cleaning up the town.”
