Site for agro-processing identified in Golden Grove, St Thomas—Shaw

ST THOMAS, Jamaica—Member of Parliament (MP) for St Thomas Eastern, Rosemarie Shaw, says a potential site for agro-processing has been identified in Golden Grove in the constituency, and investors have expressed interest. Shaw made the announcement on Tuesday in the House of Representatives during her maiden contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate. “Let us move responsibly from interest to feasibility, from feasibility to infrastructure, and from infrastructure to investment and jobs,” she remarked. She added that, “Golden Grove should not only grow produce. It should be able to process, package, add value and create employment. That opportunity must be connected to training, enterprise support and access to markets”. “I therefore ask for an Eastern St Thomas skills and employment pathway linked to agriculture, construction, tourism, healthcare, logistics, digital services, the creative industries and entrepreneurship,” said Shaw. She told the Parliament that young people should be prepared before the vacancy appears, not after opportunity has passed them by. On the matter of the Southern Coastal Highway, the first-term MP who served at the local level in St Thomas for 28 unbroken years as councillor and at one time mayor, described the highway as “a major public investment”. “We must protect it,” she said before pointing out that sections of the roadway at the intersection of Wharf Road in Morant Bay have reportedly collapsed twice. Shaw said that close to the police station on South Street, storm water crossing the roadway presents risks to motorists, pedestrians and businesses. “These are matters for engineering assessment and lasting correction: drainage, water diversion, slope and road-edge protection, and a clear maintenance plan,” she told Parliament. Additionally, she said the Morant Bay-to-Portland corridor also warrants review of its pavement, shoulders, intersections and drainage. Separately, the Opposition MP said flooding in Bath, Bamboo River and Port Morant demands urgent attention. She pointed out that five days of continuous rainfall caused the Plantain Garden and Island Rivers to overflow their banks, displacing families. Describing Bath as an established community, Shaw said river training works were undertaken there 20 years ago to mitigate flooding. But, following Hurricane Beryl in 2024, sediment has renewed the threat. “I have written to and remain in active dialogue with Minister [Robert] Morgan, requesting the expeditious deployment of a technical team to conduct an engineering assessment of the affected river channels, and recommend appropriate remedial works,” she said. Shaw also made the call for a central sewage solution for the town of Morant Bay. She said land was previously identified for that purpose, but she has since been advised that the site became unavailable. “The responsible agencies should clarify its status, assess alternatives, and set out a workable plan. A growing town cannot be expected to develop indefinitely without essential sanitation infrastructure,” said Shaw. The MP also described the condition of the Red Hill cemetery as “beyond disgraceful”, and stated that, “We must assess upgrades at Isaac Barrant Health Centre and expansion of the Paul Bogle vocational training school”. Shaw also disclosed that her office has identified two locations for proposed youth and adult reading classes, with volunteers ready to assist. “Education is not only a classroom issue: it is the foundation of opportunity,” she said. —Lynford Simpson