Falmouth eyes boom

Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator

"THE DEVELOPMENT of Trelawny cannot take place in a vacuum," says Roylan Barrett, custos of the parish.

The custos was responding to questions posed by Hospitality Jamaica regarding the economic and community development expected from the windfall being experienced by the parish. Predictions are that within the next five years, the parish is slated to boom, especially from the spin-off of Cricket World Cup 2007, some four hotels to be constructed, a 25,000-foot stadium, a museum at the Old Hampden Wharf, which will house a concert hall, restaurants and gift shops.

"The people of the parish have to be made aware of the opportunities and the obligations that these developments will impose on them," said the custos.

He noted that the citizens would be presented with employment opportunities in varying fields, especially in the service industry. "Their obligation is to now equip themselves so they can be employed in the jobs that will be made available," the custos added.

According to Custos Barrett, it is the duty of civil society to assist these people in being trained and educated. However, the major challenge the community faces is the lack of institutions to provide the training.

TRAINING FOR CITIZENS

As a result, the custos and the Trelawny Association of Voluntary Organisations (TAVO) have plans to create a volunteer centre in the town of Falmouth. The objective is to have the citizens trained at the centre, with the assistance of organisations such as the Friends of Trelawny Association (FOTA), the Montego Bay Community College (MBCC) and HEART Academy.

He said contact has already been made with MBCC Principal, Dr. Angella Samuels, FOTA's Patrick Beckford and HEART's Regional Director, George Coleman, and all parties are willing to assist the parish.

In addition a letter was sent to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on the subject, and he has already replied.

"The PM said he has directed that the sixth form at William Knibb remain open, until a tertiary level institution is established," said Custos Barrett.

The Ministry of Education ordered the discontinuation of the school's sixth form recently.