MONTEGO BAY, St. James (January 24, 2017): The St. James Municipal Corporation have summoned the occupants of its lands at Bogue Industrial Estate in Montego Bay to a meeting to finalise the sale of this property.
Chairman and Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, says the longstanding issue will be comprehensively discussed at the special sit-down scheduled for Monday, January 30, 2017 at the Municipal Building.
“The purpose of this meeting is to dialogue with the occupants as we work towards the sale of the property and the collection of monies for the use and occupation of the property,”” he explains.
“We are seeking now by this process to ensure that we get the best returns which will be applied to major capital projects for the benefit of the people of St. James.”
The special meeting is a directive of a policy decision from the Corporation’s Finance Committee meeting on January 11, 2017. Mayor Davis is adamant that the controversial matter will be completed during his tenure as Chairman.
"I am committing to you, the citizens of this parish, that I will conclude the sale of the Bogue Lands in my tenure as Mayor of this city," he charged during his inaugural presentation at the swearing-in ceremony for members of the St. James Municipal Corporation on December 8 last year.
According to the Mayor, the local authority has the registered certificate of title since December 2011, and the issue has gone through a raft of actions including a Commission of Enquiry and a Cabinet Decision for the sale of the lands.
“From then to 2016, there has been no meaningful advance of progress on the matter and the Corporation is going after what duly belongs to it,”” Mayor Davis states. "It is a prime piece of real estate, and the Corporation can realize some $500 million in revenue for its coffers.”
There are approximately 26 lots that have been occupied by commercial squatters on the Corporation’s lands at Bogue Industrial Estate.
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis (centre at head-table), makes a point to media personnel at a press brief on the status of the Bogue Lands. Sharing the moment are Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Leeroy Williams (left at head-table) and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Everes Coke.