More questions than answers for Parottee

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The people of St Elizabeth would like some clarification from the government regarding two recent statements: one by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and the other by NaRRA CEO Antony Anderson.

Minister Bartlett was very clear in his assertion that Parottee to Black River would become Jamaica’s “South Beach”, a reference to the famous entertainment district in Miami, Florida. That did not go over well with residents of the area, particularly the people of Parottee, who felt that their plight as victims of Hurricane Melissa was being exploited and used as an excuse to gentrify the area and transform it into a resort destination for those who can afford it.

Then came Antony Anderson, who convened a meeting in Newell and chose the ruined Black River Parish Church as the backdrop for his social media video, seemingly attempting to soften the impact of Bartlett’s comments by proclaiming that some people wanted to move while others wanted to stay. I would love for Mr Anderson to identify publicly the people who told him they wanted to move. I doubt he would find even one. This certainly looks like the work of a “spin doctor”.

The people of Parottee have already held a public demonstration against the prime minister’s suggestion of relocation in the name of “resilience” — perhaps the most overused word in the country these days.

What I found particularly interesting in Mr Anderson’s video, however, was that while he promised to hold more meetings to listen to residents and hear their ideas, nowhere did he promise to help them re-establish their fishing businesses.

It is bad enough that the government is still holding on to donated funds that could be used to help rehabilitate these people. Instead, residents are being subjected to statements from two different government officials, the net effect of which has been to create even more uncertainty for those affected.

The government should stop talking and start doing the real work needed to help the people.

Shakey Williams