Construction of 170 vending stalls at the Black River Market in St. Elizabeth will commence shortly, subsequent to the signing of a $16.7 million contract, to undertake the project.
The contract was awarded to Tank-Weld Limited for the construction, transportation and installation of the market stalls.
Speaking at the contract signing Minister of Local Government Noel Arscott, announced that the Black River market is one of 25 key markets across the island that the government has identified for redevelopment, in partnership with the respective local authorities.
He asserted that the Black River market, upon completion, will be a state-of-the-art facility, adding that consumers are being given prime consideration as the aisles of the market will be well laid out with clearly identified areas, in addition to which, there will adequate parking, bathrooms, and food service facilities.
The signatories included: Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott; State Minister in the Ministry of Local Government, Colin Fagan; Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hugh Buchanan; Mayor of Black River and Chairman St. Elizabeth Parish Council, Councillor Everton Fisher; Director of Projects, TEF, Christopher Miller; and Director, Tank-Weld Limited, Louis Aiken.
The stalls will be designed to accommodate two or four vendors in one unit. They will be designated for the accommodation of haberdasheries, as well as ground provisions, and fruits and vegetables.
The remaining funds ($8.24 million) for the second phase of the Black River Market Rehabilitation Project will be used for colour coding and zoning the market area to identify the types of goods that will be allowed in specific locations; and for installing utilities such as electricity and water.
Mayor of Black River Councillor Fisher has expressed satisfaction that the project was now progressing, following delays.
The first phase of the project was completed in April 2013 at a cost of $31.5 million, and entailed the construction of a new open steel-framed structure.
At an overall cost of $68 million, the project is scheduled for completion by August of this year.
It is being financed by contributions from the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries; Local Government and Community Development; the Constituency Development Fund (CDF); and the TEF, as well as private donations.
Another $10 million is to come from the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) for the third phase of the project. This will include the construction of sanitary conveniences, and a meat shop.