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Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness
By Clinton McGregor
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has disclosed that the government is working towards a September deadline for completion of repairs to the Ocho Rios Pier in St. Ann that was damaged last year during inclement weather.
In February 2024, the Carnival Magic cruise vessel damaged the breasting dolphins and the concrete berthing structure after a collision at the pier amid rough seas.
The vessel also sustained damage as its mooring ropes broke.
The damage to the main pier has caused a major set back to the local economy due to the redirection of cruise ships to other piers.
While he admitted that the damage to the main pier has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of craft vendors, taxi drivers and other traders, Dr. Holness said the negative impact has been "somewhat mitigated by the government's foresight in developing cruise-berthing facilities at the Reynolds pier in 2018".
The Prime Minister, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, said Cabinet had approved US$20 million to carry out the repairs to the Ocho Rios pier. The work is expected to be completed in September.
"Jamaica has not lost any vessel scheduled to dock at the islands' berths, as they have been accommodated, as I've said, either at Reynolds or in Falmouth or Montego Bay. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to have the Ocho Rios main terminal reopened by the start of the next cruise ship season in September 2025 to prevent any possible rescheduling of vessel itineraries," he noted.
Dr. Holness said the government will continue to invest in the development of the island's ports since it recognises that the "economic benefits they bring are vital, not only to our economy, but also to the growth and sustainability of our tourism products".
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