At the opening of the new multimillion-dollar Yallahs Fire Station on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Prime Minister Andrew Holness launched into a long diatribe against false prophets who are using poor people to stop development.
In his remarks, Holness stated that the government’s push for investment and development in St Thomas would benefit the people. Those who think otherwise are troublemakers.
He stated that the aim of the ongoing multibillion-dollar Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project and construction of an urban center at the old Goodyear factory lands is to unlock new economic opportunities and woo investors.
Holness said there are thousands of young men and women in the parish who want jobs, and the new developments will provide them with opportunities.
Here are some of what he said in his diatribe
Along the coast, we are seeing significant private sector interests in tourism development. I wanted to go and visit the Bob Marley Beach because I saw a social media post; I saw a video being circulated that Andrew Holness wants to take away poor people land,” Holness said before taking a long pause.
He continued: “I immediately saw through it, because all that Andrew Holness has ever done is to give poor people access to land and housing, but I took heart after I saw the video, because, immediately, a young lady called me and said to me, ‘Prime Minister, I hope you’re not going to stop the hotel development that is coming.'”
“How is the parish going to be developed without bringing in industry and commerce and housing? This politics of poverty is so dangerous, [they] use poor people to stop their own development. Can you imagine that?” Holness asked.
“Use poor people to stop development! … Don’t follow the false prophets who you see coming and talking. Don’t follow those people who are bent on creating mischief. I understand your frustration. I understand your fatigue and I want you to take the entire thing and put it into context,” he continued.
The PM addressed the ownership of the Bob Marley Beach by saying:
Just to be clear, the Bob Marley Beach is owned by the commissioner of lands and there is no intention whatsoever to sell the beach. In fact, government policy is that we do not sell beach land/beachfront. We want to make that clear So, if there were any concerns, please rest assured that’s not the case,” the prime minister said Wednesday.
This blog was source by the Jamaica Gleaner: PM: False prophets using poor people to stop development. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20221027/pm-false-prophets-using-poor-people-stop-development