Portland stakeholders, volunteers withstand heat for Labour Day
Published:Monday | May 26, 2025 | 12:07 AMGareth Davis Sr/Gleaner Writer
East and West Portland:
Portland’s parish Labour Day project, which involved the beautification of the approach into Port Antonio and the clearing of vegetation, has been deemed a success.
The project attracted teams from various state agencies, civil society groups, local volunteers, and individuals, who worked tirelessly amid the intense heat as they chopped down branches, cleared away vegetation, removed plastic material from a beach area, and placed refuse in garbage bags at Bryan’s Bay.
“It was a very hot day and I must commend all the participants for their gallant efforts in clearing the approach leading into Port Antonio, which was overrun with vegetation,” said Paul Thompson, mayor of Port Antonio, on Friday.
“We started pretty early and managed to get a lot of work done before lunchtime. The area now has a new look and the only thing that needs to done, going forward, is to ensure that it is maintained. It will therefore mean that the trees have to be pruned at regular intervals and the grass has to be cut. Anyone coming into the parish, once they have reached Bryan’s Bay, it will be easy for them to tell that they are entering the parish capital, Port Antonio.”
Meanwhile, over in West Portland, the Buff Bay and the Orange Bay post offices received well-needed facelifts from volunteers who repainted the walls of the building in the traditional blue and white. Additionally, a major clean-up of the Caenwood multi-purpose sports complex, involving repainting of the centre and clearing away of shrubbery and other forms of vegetation, was undertaken by volunteers.
“I think the spirit of Labour Day was quite evident today, and many groups and individuals turned out and participated,” said Daryl Vaz, member of parliament for West Portland.
“The humid condition was unbearable at times. However, the various teams, nevertheless, worked tirelessly, as they were determined that the work was going to be completed before the ending of the day. It is quite a challenge being able to motivate persons nowadays, but they really turned out to render their services, and I must commend those that were actively involved.”