Fishing for Exclusive Management and Development
In an attempt to bring occupants of the shops in the Old Harbour Bay Market Complex to a place where they can be regularized and execute comfortable business, the management of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation hosted a formal meeting in Old Harbour Bay on Thursday, June 29, 2017.
Among those present was Acting Business Development Officer, Ms. Althea Matthews, Commercial Services Manager Mr. Upton Fisher, Councillor Lloyd Grant, Councillor for the Old Harbour South Division and Mr. Henley Banton, President of the Old Harbour Bay Fisher Folk Council.
According to the Business Development Officer, this official meeting has been in the pipeline for some time now. She said based on the fact that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Old Harbour Bay Fisher Folk Council had expired, the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation wants to review supervision of the market complex as it relates to formalization of occupancy,
and management and development of the area.
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The fact that there is no payment arrangement in place and occupants continue to erect structures without authorization, there is need for standardization. Lease Agreement Contracts will also be applied so occupants utilizing the space(s) can start paying some fees by August of this year, she said.
During the discussions, several issues affecting occupants were raised; among them were dust nuisance, settling of storm water on the premises whenever it rains, garbage disposal and collection and general sanitation.
The Councillor was of the view that because the building is the property of the Corporation, and once occupants have commenced payment; the Corporation should take on the responsibility of sanitation.
Others matters to be looked at from the Corporation’s perspective were aspects of lighting on the premises, selling advertising space on the walls, security, placing of drums for garbage the removal of the ‘Welcome to Old Harbour Bay Fishing Village” sign from its present location to another.
The meeting ended sometime after 2:00 p.m.
