By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
ONE YEAR after the Montego Bay Marine Park announced its intention to implement a multi-million dollar eco-tourism project for the Howard Cooke Boulevard Park and adjoining wetlands, the project remains in limbo.
The Marine Park blames the delay on the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) which it is accusing of foot-dragging.
The Marine Park says it has lost US$25,000 in international funding to kick-start the eco-programme, blaming the missed opportunity on the fact that it has not been able to secure a lease for the Howard Cooke Boulevard Park and adjoining wetlands.
During January 2003, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service had earmarked funding for the project dubbed 'The Howard Cooke Boulevard Wetland Walking Trail and Interpretative Centre' which the Marine Park hoped would have become operational within six months. However, the loan facility expired in July last year.
"We could not access the money because the US Fish and Wildlife Service could not make the money available to us until we had some security of tenure for the land slated for the venture," said Jill Williams, executive director of the Montego Bay Marine Park.
"Because the UDC is dragging its feet to give us the lease for the land, we missed the funding."
Officials of the Marine Park are still uncertain as to when the UDC will make good on its promise to lease them the land, although both parties agreed in principle to the lease a year ago.
"We are still waiting, I am reliably informed that the lease is ready, but we don't have it in our hands," Ms. Williams said Thursday.
However, UDC communications officer Lorna Clarke insisted that the lease agreement had been sent to the Marine Park for its signature. She said that until the document is endorsed by the Marine Park and returned to the UDC, the agreement could not become a reality.
The UDC is also knocking criticisms that there were undue delays in preparing the lease agreement, pointing out that there were negotiations before a formal request for the lease was made.
"Interest in managing the wetlands preceded a formal request to lease the property," said Ms. Clarke. "This may have contributed to the perception of delay in finalising the agreement which would have gone through a process of discussion/negotiation and finalisation."
On the matter of the terms of the agreement, the UDC said the lease should run for an initial 15 years, at a peppercorn rental of $10,000 per annum, paid in advance.
Meanwhile, the management of the Montego Bay Marine Park is of the view that at least US$50,000 would be needed to get the first phase of the Walking Trail operational. The group says it will approach international funding agencies for assistance, once the lease is finalised.
