Government is committed to providing adequate space at Morris Bay beach to allow vendors to ply their trade in an environment that is aesthetically pleasing and which aligns with its stated policy of national beautification.
The announcement comes from Prime Minister Gaston Browne in reference to recent developments in the area. The government’s approach, he explained, is not to displace vendors but to regularize and legitimize their operations. Under the guidance of Minister Rawdon Turner, plans are underway to reorganize and properly site vendors along the beach, creating a structured layout with improved facilities, landscaping, and beautification.
He contrasted this with a small, Government tastefully designed fruit and vegetable stand that had existed earlier at Morris Bay, noting that its neat appearance and integration into the environment had never posed an issue.
The Prime Minister suggested that the current disorder stems from unchecked expansion and a belief by some — particularly MP Jamale Pringle — that political office grants authority to override planning laws, a notion he strongly rejected as he delved further into governance and accountability issues.
The Prime Minister continued by clarifying that no individual, including a parliamentarian, has the authority to grant permission for construction on public beaches. Such authority rests solely with the government. To address widespread misuse and inappropriate development, the administration has centralized approval powers, making Cabinet the only body authorized to grant permission for any construction on beaches.
He explained that in the past, informal arrangements sometimes allowed approvals to slip through various ministries, such as Agriculture, leading to unregulated and unsuitable beach development. Recognizing the long-term damage this caused, the government moved decisively to halt the practice and restore order.
Addressing concerns from other beachfront vendors, the Prime Minister reassured them that their situation is different. The DCA, together with the responsible minister, will meet with them early in the new year to discuss redesigning the area, upgrading facilities, and ensuring that everyone has a legitimate and properly planned space.
The government’s intention, he emphasized, is collaboration and improvement — not displacement.
