StJMC to target derelict vehicles and illegal streetside businesses

WESTERN BUREAU:

Plans are currently being activated by the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), under its MoBay STEP-Up programme, to rid the streets of St James of unsightly derelict vehicles and other nuisances.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, in a recent interview with The Gleaner, says the plan will see the authorities targeting roadside businesses being operated across the parish.

According to Vernon, the St James Municipal Corporation, along with other state agencies, met with the business operators earlier in April, to share their goals for the programme. The business owners reportedly requested a two-month grace period, which was granted, to work towards becoming compliant.

“We outlined what we expected under the STEP-Up programme ... and we gave them a timeline based on consultation. They said that they needed two months to correct the wrongs and to straighten out their operations,” said Vernon.

However, the mayor stated that the timeline has now “expired and it is now time to start cleaning up the spaces”.

One of the main focuses of the STEP-Up programme is to foster a cleaner and organised space across Montego Bay. Vernon said that they will be removing all derelict vehicles, along with those illegally parked along the streets in the township.

“Those persons who are operating the sidewalk garages, we are going to now remove those cars if they are still there. The ones that we identified, we have served notices on them,” the mayor noted.

DISRUPTION OF BUSINESS

At the same time, Vernon pointed out that other roadside operators, such as those who own woodwork shops, scrap metal shops and repair shops, will have their businesses disrupted during this process. He also noted that, not only are residents complaining about these businesses being operated so closely to the roadway, but the illegal operations are also posing health risks to the population.

While pointing to a roadside operation on Perry Street, in Montego Bay, where refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances are being housed, Vernon stated that, “those are hazardous to the environment as they trap water and also cause mosquitoes to breed in the space”.

“I understand, based on the information from the St James Health Services, that we are still dealing with a dengue outbreak, so to reduce the likelihood of it being exacerbated, we need to take action and we will be moving to those areas, confiscating the items and we taking them to the dump,” Vernon told The Gleaner.

The mayor is also calling on residents to play their part in securing their personal items. He reiterated that all the items that are found at these businesses will be removed to the Retirement Dumping Facility or the pound.

“We urge those people who know they have left their appliances at workshops to check and ensure that the workshop operator is in compliance with the St James Municipal Corporation, and that their items are being properly stored. If it is that your item at that workshop is on the road reserve, it is going to the dump. We don’t have any more time to waste where these things are concerned,” Vernon stated.

The municipal corporation has reportedly been getting complaints about the operations on Perry Street, Paradise, Railway Lane, Cornaldi Avenue, Mount Salem, Tucker, and Granville.

“Persons have been calling and I just want to say to those persons that we hear them, we note their concerns, and we will be taking action,” Vernon pledged.

When asked if any fines will be imposed on the business operators who did not honour the two-month timeline, Vernon said “it depends on the type of breach”.

“If they are dumping stuff in the drain and it can be proven that the culprit is the person who is operating within the space, they will be charged,” he explained.

Vernon said the StJMC team will be accompanied by representatives from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, National Solid Waste Management Authority, St James Health Services and the National Environment and Planning Agency.

“If they identify any breaches from their standpoint, they will be taking the necessary action,” noted Vernon.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com