Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Trident Castle. This magnificent edifice is a landmark in Port Antonio.Sonia Morgan, Staff Reporter
A SPECTACULAR view of Navy Island, right off the coast of Port Antonio, once owned by the late Errol Flynn and now in the hands of the Port Authority of Jamaica, greets you as you drive into the town's centre. The buildings in the town still stand as a relic of colonial times - some more aesthetically acceptable than others. The roads are so narrow that it would be impossible to widen them without demolishing parts of these old buildings. Parking is a problem. Like all other townships in the island, the number of vehicular traffic grows much faster than the construction of roads.
The coast is a beautiful sight and the parish is rich in vegetation. Tourists walk the busy streets of the towns, going about their business and there are a few 'mad men' around.
Impressive sights
One of the most impressive sights is the shopping mall, The Village of St. George, located on West Street. The architecture is a combination of British, French, Dutch and German. On entering this magnificent structure, you are transported back to a time when people travelled by horses. There are water-colour paintings showcasing Jamaica's lush tropical vegetation, a Tudor-style house, coloured marble and cobblestone floors. Stairs spiral upwards in wrought iron. Most impressive is that after parts of the original structure was destroyed, the rebuilding combined the old architecture with the new, without compromising quality.
President of the Chamber of Commerce (CC) Delaval Allen, said they are having several meetings to discuss the traffic problem.
Mr. Allen, who has been president for five years, anticipates the opening of the Ken Wright Pier and the wharf which are now completed. He spoke excitedly of the Pier and the revenue it could generate for Port Antonio. The pier is slated to be officially opened on September 12, the 14th anniversary of Hurricane Gilbert. He expects the development to change the face of tourism and bring tourists back to the 'cradle of tourism', Port Antonio.
Leo Mitchell, chairman of the Economic Committee, also seemed excited and optimistic about the development of the West Harbour. He said they were looking at a megaliner port where a maximum of 4,000 persons can visit and be brought to places such as the Folly Estate. He hopes that electronic museums and art and craft would be part of this new tourism effort.
Mr. Allen said they were building a craft village close to the East Harbour where there might be an amphitheatre and a place to stop for rest and relaxation. There is, however, the present state of the buildings in the town which need immediate attention. He said he was aware that the buildings need maintaining, so that they appear antique and not run-down. Many of these buildings boast that 18th century Georgian style architecture.
The development of the West Harbour has become the major source of income for many people in Port Antonio. Agriculture, which once held pride of place, has dwindled over the years. Coconut was one of the major staples but many farms have been wiped out by the dreaded Lethal Yellowing disease. "The coconut industry has suffered tremendously: the banana industry as well from the same disease. It's extremely costly," the Chamber president lamented. He said with NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement) banana trade problems with the US, "Either we produce more at a lesser cost or abandon the industry." The companies are losing economically and are now forced to employ less persons, leaving Portlanders unemployed.
Other staples include yam and dasheen for export. "We produce some of the finest yams," he boasted in spite of himself. One of the positive aspects is that the hotels buy from Port Antonio. "Dragon Bay is taken over by the Sandals Chain. They will buy (locally) produce they need in their operation - including seafood." Port Antonio has a wealth of opportunities, Mr. Allen said, but that is hindered by a limited cash flow.
Employment is nowhere near what it should be, he told Outlook. "We have to get into the business of helping ourselves. For Port Antonio to come on-line and to look like the West Harbour when it's finished, it won't take a year."
Education for the Port Antonio's population is not lacking, Mr. Allen said. However, he mentioned the overcrowding in classrooms was a real problem in the parish.
Many towns is Jamaica suffer from unplanned development. According to Mr. Allen, there was no such thing in Port Antonio. In fact, he said, "There is no unplanned construction in Portland as in other places. Port Antonio," Mr. Allen said, "has the first place in Jamaica that was built for the indigent - a place where they can be fed, given medicine."
He admitted that Port Antonio is just beginning to have a situation where public and private sectors come together to ensure economic development. Apart from the problem of disease (coconut) and unemployment, there are no real problems in the once booming resort town. Crime and violence is low there and the only thing they worry about is "stray cows that destroy property", according to Mr. Mitchell.
