Bogue lands to go on the market

Avia Collinder, Business Reporter

The St James Parish Council (StJPC) is indicating that some 19 businesses now operating within the Bogue Industrial Estate in capital city Montego Bay - several of which are not paying for occupancy - will soon be asked to regularise their position.

"There will also be the matter of interest on rent unpaid for as much as five years," said Winston Palmer, secretary manager of the council.

The StJPC is awaiting the transfer of titles for some of the Bogue lots from the Commissioner of Lands, at which point the land will be subdivided and offered for lease or sale at market value.

The current value of the total zone was not disclosed, but the estimated 10.5 acres of land was valued at J$75 million in 2002.

Requests to the National Land Agency for updated information were redirected to the StJPC, with Palmer stating that any reference to value would prejudice upcoming sales. Proposed rates of rental, he added, are to be "worked out".

The disposal of the lots, he said, would follow legal procedures which require advertisements to run for three consecutive days, and valuations by government and private assessors. The sale price cannot fall below the government valuation, Palmer said.

The council is currently in the middle of selling three lots - 28, 29 and 30 - for which it already obtained titles, but which is occupied by a distributorship.

Palmer said the occupant is welcome to make a competitive offer for the lots, noting as well that the process is being carefully scrutinised by the Office of the Contractor General.

Occupants of the estate will be offered the option to buy at market value.

The proceeds of the sale of Bogue and other properties are earmarked for capital development within the city of Montego Bay proper, said Palmer, including a multi-level car park for the downtown area to relieve congestion.

"The central government wants local government to be self-supporting and viable. We have to increase the potential of our own-source revenues," Palmer said.

The Bogue Industrial Estate, which sits adjacent the Fairview commercial complex in south eastern Montego Bay, was first developed as an automotive node for streetside garages, but with subdivision delayed, the land was taken over by commercial squatters.

The complex has been the subject of prolonged political infighting, with the Ministry of Local Government blocking an attempt by the StJPC in mid-2003 to subdivide and sell the property.

The businesses operating at Bogue Estate are said to employ an estimated 200 workers.

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