Portmore is a ‘country’ not a parish

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Portmore and adjoining ‘cities’ like Greater Portmore, Hellshire, among others, present a major challenge to the concept of Jamaica.

The ‘cross de waters’ communities have now morphed into superstars, with a population size that is perhaps larger than most rural parishes. Although on paper only a tenth of the Kingston population of approximately one million, Portmore is attracting a range of business and major capital. The dormitory dwellers are now in retirement age, but a new, vibrant cluster of baby boomers are now actively working in the region.

The location of Portmore, with its proximity to the sea, poises the area to be more than a parish, but, like Tobago, an island onto itself. Portmore is no longer the ‘backbencher’, but on the front page of what matters most to Jamaicans.

Portmore simply has a different energy. The rooftops have the potential to create solar millionaires. The housing model is successful and such planned development, although with infrastructural flaws, should be replicated islandwide. People own their own homes and have made massive improvements. It was not originally thought that persons would own cars in the Greater Portmore development; there were no driveways, just walkways.

Greater Portmore boasts a public library, courthouse, health centre, Institute of Jamaica offices, post office, community centre, shopping malls and mini-stadium, among other amenities. These facilities make the area attractive for investment at all levels, including health tourism, visits to beaches and natural science tours by students across Jamaica.

Those who have bought properties in Portmore are reaping an abundant harvest. It was the wild west, but all the major banks and businesses are now laying their nests in the goldmine. The political parties have a vested interest in wooing the Portmore ‘nation’, as ‘Portmorians’ have their tentacles in major businesses in the leading firms in Jamaica. They have overcome leaving home in the early morning, facing the narrow causeway, to now face the increasing tolls.

Once upon a time, Portmore depended on Jamaica. The reverse exists today. The public transportation system is now centred on delivering swift destination convoys for the Portmore populace, their chief income earner.

Portmore is there to show the world that the Jamaican citizen, given the opportunity to own land, will turn chalk into cheese.

It pays to own your own, even if you remain ‘unknown’. Parish title or not, business is booming and growing fast in the ‘country’ named Portmore.

CATHERINE NEIL

stcatherineneil22@

yahoo.com