GOVERNMENT WELCOMES DIGICEL'S $100M CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS REFURBISHING CORONATION MARKET

JUNE 16, 2010

GOVERNMENT WELCOMES DIGICEL'S $100M CONTRIBUTION

TOWARDS REFURBISHING CORONATION MARKET

Government has applauded Digicel for its contribution of $100-million of the estimated $1-billion that it will cost to refurbish the Coronation market in downtown Kingston.

Digicel's $100M  will kick start the refurbishing programme which will be undertaken in two phases- phase one of which will  begin  next week Monday. The first phase is expected to be completed in August and Phase two by October this year.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz told this morning's press briefing at Jamaica House that Digicel had previously made a pledge to contribute to the upgrading of the market but the company's commitment has been fast-tracked following the fire which caused further serious damage to the market.

Mr. Vaz said representatives of the government met this morning with the multi-laterals and members of the private sector to look at the requirements needed to upgrade the Coronation market facilities.

Immediate repairs he said, will  involve work on  the fire damaged structured steel members, installation of a new roof, new floor and new water system to collect rain water for re-use. This is a short term solution to allow for the vendors to operate inside the market. The other repairs will be dealt with in a comprehensive plan being put together by the government and the private sector.

Mr. Vaz expressed special appreciation to Digicel for fast tracking their commitment to enable work to begin and for the vendors to operate in a much more comfortable atmosphere before the end of the year.

‘Partnering with government and the private sector can result in significant benefits', Mr. Vaz said. He has appealed to the private sector and companies with technical  assistance  to come on board with the Coronation initiative to help raise the funds for the project and to play their role in the re-development of downtown Kingston.

Agriculture Minister Chris Tufton is chairing the Committee to raise the funds for the Coronation project. Other members will be drawn from the PSOJ while   Mr. Chris Zacca will represent the Office of the Prime Minister.