Mayor seeking to restore order to St Mary capital’s streets
Published:Wednesday | October 15, 2025 | 12:09 AMGareth Davis Sr/Gleaner Writer
PORT MARIA, St Mary:
Port Maria Mayor Fitzroy Wilson has declared that no effort will be spared in restoring law and order on the streets, which are currently being overrun by illegal vending in the parish capital of St Mary.
Wilson’s comments come against the background of vendors refusing to occupy the recently constructed state-of-the art Port Maria Market, resulting in congestion along sidewalks in the town and parts of its environs. The situation is further compounded by traffic congestion throughout the town as a result of illegal parking.
“We have had several complaints about congestion in the town (Port Maria) and the problem of illegal vending on our streets,” said Wilson.
“We have been assessing all the issues in the town. We are going to find a way to ensure compliance in the town of Port Maria. There is also the problem with the sanitary convenience at the transportation centre in Port Maria. I have given the assurance that, within a month, they will have a brand-new refurbished facility for the travelling public at the transportation centre.”
According to Wilson, during a walk-through last week with the relevant state agencies, including the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the police, the fire department, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the St Mary Municipal Corporation, a decision was made to tackle the challenges via a multifaceted approach in order to guarantee success.
“We would have had communication with residents and business operators about the many challenges faced by them on a daily basis. The business community has given us a positive response, as they, too, are affected by illegal vending along their corridors. Law and order will be maintained, and those vendors plying their trade illegally, along the streets of Port Maria, will have to conform by occupying space at the newly built market.
“We are going to find a way that we can have compliance in the town and for the garbage to be collected. And so NEPM (North Eastern Parks and Markets) would have had some issues with businesses that are supposed to be contracted to them who are not paying and whose garbage is being stored in an unsafe and unsatisfactory manner. And, therefore, we are determined to ensure that the streets of Port Maria are kept clean and for law and order to be restored and maintained,” he concluded.