Ready for take off! - St Thomas urged to get certified

Residents of St Thomas are being encouraged to prepare themselves to reap the benefits of the major economic developments by gaining the necessary skills and competencies.

The call comes from Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, who was speaking during the Legal Aid Council's Justice Fair at Rudolph Elder Park in the parish, on Friday.

"Many, many wonderful things are planned for St Thomas," said Chuck, adding that "there will be major economic developments" in the parish.

"Please be prepared; please make sure that you have the skills," he added.

Labelled at the forgotten parish, St Thomas has, for years, been bedevilled by underdevelopment. However, the construction of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project and the Morant Bay Urban Centre are expected to contribute to the economic transformation of the parish. Both projects are expected to drive significant investment and spur general growth in the parish.

"Tourism is slated to kick off in St Thomas because, with Portland and St Thomas, they intend to have high-class tourism in the eastern end [of the island] that will compare with Negril, Hanover, all those areas," Chuck said.