Charles Gordon Market gets upgrade

Government representatives and corporate entities partnered to upgrade the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday.

The market was selected as the parish project for Labour Day by the St James Municipal Corporation (STJMC).

The scope of the work on the facility, which cost approximately $1 million, included the washing and sanitising of the market, repainting of the main market building, repainting of the car park, and a general clean-up of the market area.

Among the participants was Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon, who told JIS News that with the lessons gleaned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is deserving of the upgrade. He said that it is "the catalyst of health and a food-distribution point" in the municipality.

"We want to ensure that this area is sanitised, it is cleansed, and where necessary, we have to clean up the area and fix up the different sections of the market and facilities," he said.

Labour Day activities were in full swing across the parish's 17 local government divisions, with councillors collaborating with residents to beautify their communities.

"In each division, the councillors are carrying out different projects - at least one project in each division - from garbage skip repairs to the painting of classrooms,"Councillor Vernon shared.

Deputy Superintendent of Roads and Works at the STJMC Saad Campbell said work on the market would continue after Labour Day with the construction of sidewalks along Fustic Road, where the market is situated, to give ease of access to shoppers. He said that the work would "give some delineation to the areas that are drivable and walkable and ease pedestrian access" for the market facilities.

"In my estimation, that should be done within the next two weeks," Campbell stated. "We are looking to spend another $3 to $4 million to do the sidewalks."

Other projects across the parish included beautification of the Hill Top and Retirement Basic Schools, Gutters Square, and sections of the Irwin Community.

The theme for Labour Day 2022 was 'Reigniting a Nation for Greatness - Protect Our Heritage and Environment', with the mission to 'Mek Jamaica Criss an Clean'.