Fireworks exploding in the sky ringing in the new year at the Kingston Waterfront, downtown Kingston, on December 31, 2004. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Cautious of the growing malaria threat that has gripped the island, the organisers of Fireworks on the Waterfront, a major calendar event held to herald in the new year, has been postponed.

Francis Kennedy, chairman of the Fireworks Organising Committee and Kingston City Centre Improvement Company, said in a release issued yesterday that the decision came following public safety concerns.

"It is ... with much regret that Kingston City Centre Improvement Company, the Urban Development Corporation, GraceKennedy Limited, the Local Organising Committee for Cricket 2007, and members of the Fireworks Organising Committee have taken the decision to postpone the event, in light of the malaria threat," Mr. Kennedy said.

"Persons, including many of our sponsors and the community at large, have been calling to express their concern."

According to Mr. Kennedy, the event will now constitute a part of the welcome programme for the ICC Cricket World Cup fans and officials in March next year.

"Therefore, in the interest of public health and safety, the Fireworks Organising Committee, preferring to err on the side of caution, decided to postpone the event until March 2007.

"At that time Fireworks on the Waterfront will be part of the chorus welcoming visitors to the city of Kingston for Cricket World Cup 2007."

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health confirmed 128 reported cases of malaria, and is currently reviewing its stance of discouraging mass gatherings.

Kennedy