Fire broke out on May 28, destroying Musgrave Market and damaging nearby businesses.
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Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie
By Lorraine Mendez
Investigators have concluded that the recent fire at Musgrave Market in Port Antonio, Portland was not deliberately set.
That announcement was made by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie.
Fire broke out on May 28, destroying the market and damaging nearby businesses.
Some 200 vendors have been displaced.
Since then, the each vendor has been presented with a cheque totalling $100,000 from Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, Ann-Marie Vaz, through her foundation.
Mrs Vaz has pledged to continue raising funds towards the rebuilding of the market, including donating money from her recent salary increase.
The Local Government Ministry had also committed $10 million towards market cleanup and other activities.
Speaking Wednesday morning at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister McKenzie rubbished suggestions that the government was planning to privatise the Musgrave Market.
He said the reconstruction of the market was the responsibility of his ministry and the Portland Municipal Corporation but the authorities would still welcome assistance from private interests.
"I want to put to rest the mischief that is being made about what will happen to the repairs and the future of the Musgrave Market in Portland. So let me state categorically that no decision has been taken to divest the interest of the Musgrave market to anybody," he declared.
He added that vendors will be included in the discussions towards rebuilding the market.
Mr. McKenzie said he will be touring the market this Friday for a first-hand look at the damage.
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