Development in St Thomas at the cost of excluding people

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to express a concern that resonates deeply with many residents of St Thomas and, indeed, Jamaicans across the island. As we welcome the promise of development in this parish, an initiative long overdue, we must also demand clarity and commitment from the highest level of government on one critical issue: public access to our beaches.

In several other parishes, rapid coastal development has led to the effective privatisation of beachfronts, where local residents are often barred or restricted from accessing spaces that should remain public. This trend is deeply troubling, especially in a country where the beach has always been a part of our cultural and communal life.

We are calling on the prime minister to give a clear and unequivocal commitment that, in the course of developing St Thomas, his government will ensure that access to beaches remains open and protected for the people – both locals and visitors alike.

Development should not come at the cost of exclusion. The people of St Thomas deserve to benefit from the economic upliftment while retaining their rightful connection to the natural beauty of their coastlines.

We urge the government to put laws and protections in place to preserve public access, to engage communities in planning, and to lead this development with equity and respect.

MARK ROBINSON

Resident of the parish