Plans to redevelop the Boundbrook Industrial Estate in Port Antonio, Portland has been described as a game changer, not just for residents of Port Antonio, but for the people of Portland. The Boundbrook redevelopment will see the amalgamation of services provided by government and private sector. The project is expected to boost the economy of Portland by creating job opportunities and attracting more investors.
Speaking at a Townhall meeting at the Port Antonio High School in Portland on Thursday, July 15, 2021, FCJ’s Chairman Lyttleton ‘Tanny’ Shirley explained that the integration of all the government agencies under one umbrella is called ‘link-up government’, for better efficiency in the provision of services.
“We then fuse that into private sector businesses to include BPO (business process outsourcing), to ensure that not only do we have government efficiency but economic opportunities for the young people, middle-aged and my age. For people in the parish to continue their lives and to be successful…We have a commitment to fuse government agencies to make people have proper parking, proper facilities and efficiency of government bodies to serve you better,” said the FCJ Chairman.
FCJ is an agency in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, where our mandate is to facilitate economic growth and job creation. It is that aspect of the development which excites Portland Eastern Member of Parliament, Mrs. Ann-Marie Vaz.
“It is the jobs that it’s going to bring to Portland. Not only East Portland but the entire Portland. It may spill over to St. Mary and also to St. Thomas. The BPO space is of the greatest importance to me, we have 65,000 sq. ft. for young people to be employed…this development will be the beginning of the stopping of the brain drain of the people that we need to fill the parish,” said Mrs. Vaz.
A concern for Minister of Science, Energy and Technology and MP for Portland Western Daryl Vaz is the migration of residents due to the lack of job opportunities in the parish.
According to Mr. Vaz, “this is a game changer for the people of Portland of all ages and stages…and if we are able to do that, as husband and wife, Members of Parliament team, I can retire from politics with a smile on my face knowing that I have delivered and made Portland better than when I came into representational politics and that is my aim and my goal”.
Mr. Vaz explained that the Boundbrook project is a legacy project that will prevent the sick and the elderly from having to stay outside buildings to conduct business; to provide better parking facilities which will reduce the congestion in the town and to return Port Antonio to its historical beauty and ambiance.
The project also has the support of Mayor of Port Antonio Paul Thompson, who has indicated his full commitment to ensure its successful implementation.
The Boundbrook Industrial Estate sits on 5.7 acres of land.
