TRADE UNIONIST, Norman DaCosta, has expressed fears about Jamaica's investment prospects in the wake of growing violence in the country, especially in the old capital, Spanish Town.
The violence in Spanish Town has also hit a number of industries hard, among them major bauxite player, Windalco Alumina, based in Ewarton, St. Catherine.
In a statement issued Sunday, Mr. DaCosta, who is vice-president and deputy island supervisor of the National Workers Union (NWU), said that fears about possible disruption from violence in Spanish Town recently resulted in the suspension of alumina exports at the Windalco plant.
CONCERNED
Alumina exports have since resumed, but Mr. DaCosta is concerned that the temporary suspension of alumina delivery by rail from some alumina refineries to Port Esquivel in St. Catherine for shipment to North America, was "a situation that could potentially harm Jamaica's investment prospects."
Spanish Town has been the scene of many shootings and deaths as a result of rival gangs fighting for control of the highly lucrative illegal extortion business which has overtaken the town. At the end of last week, police statistics counted 17 murders occurring in the past two weeks following the death of alleged leader of the 'One Order' Gang, Oliver 'Bubba' Smith.
DISRUPTION NOT SIGNIFICANT
Windalco's refinery plant, which is situated in northern St. Catherine, transports alumina by rail via Spanish Town to Port Esquivel in south western St. Catherine for export.
The NWU vice-president, who has oversight responsibilities for the bauxite industry, noted that "fortunately (the disruption) was not all that significant..." He said the transportation of alumina from Windalco's Ewarton Works was disrupted for just over a day.
The train has 16 carts attached, each carrying about 40 tonnes of alumina twice daily. Based on this information, it could be estimated that about 1,280 tonnes were affected by the delay. He said the management suspended delivery because "they couldn't take the risk in that kind of situation."
