Garwin Davis, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Residents and business interests in Portland say the parish mainstay - tourism - has been dealt a cruel blow by "an uncaring government", adding that unemployment has now skyrocketed to an all-time high.

They point to the indefinite closure of the Dragon Bay Hotel and the Ken Jones Aerodrome as proof that "tourism is all but dead", noting that the economy of Portland could now well be ranked among the lowest in the country.

"Only a foolish man would want to part with his hard-earned money and open up a business in Portland today," commented Nathaniel Gordon, a local gas station owner. "Everything is at a standstill; the people have no money. Who in heavens name would you be selling to?"

His sentiments seem to be echoed everywhere. Others are bemoaning what they see as hotel mogul Gordon 'Butch' Stewart being forced to keep the Dragon Bay Hotel closed due to the poor infrastructure all around the parish capital of Port Antonio.

PRIORITIES

"Can you imagine Mr. Stewart wanting to spend some $US65 million to make Dragon Bay Hotel the envy of the Caribbean and can get no help whatsoever from the Government?" Morris Grant, a local villa owner asked. "Why would he want to spend that kind of money when everything is in a shambles - the roads, the attractions, and the aerodrome?"

Patrick Thompson, a local labourer, said it was hard to see why Portlanders have remained loyal to the governing People's National Party (PNP) for all these years. "Even when others have abandoned the cause, we have remained true to the PNP in both the Portland constituencies," he said.

"Why repay us with this shabbiness? For a youngster leaving school today there is hardly a chance at finding employment here in Portland. The youths are everywhere on the street corners, idling their lives away while the young girls are getting pregnant by the minute. This is what life is like in this parish."

Some are even taking issue with comments made by chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Airports Authority of Jamaica Mr. Dennis Morrison several weeks ago. Mr. Morrison, a Portlander, suggested that the Government's failure to rehabilitate the Ken Jones Aerodrome was due in large part to the closure of Dragon Bay.

"Comments like that make you wonder why these people have been given such important positions," noted Derron Woods, businessman and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councilor for the Draper's division.

"The Ken Jones Aerodrome is important to everything we do in this town and the Government's failure to see that only goes to show how much regard they have for the people of Portland."

Contacted on Friday, Mr. Stewart said it "pains me deeply" to see the suffering all throughout Portland. He prayed for the day when the Government would finally do the right thing.

"The original owners of the Dragon Bay Hotel closed the hotel because they had been suffering massive losses as a result of decreasing business related to the neglect and the poor condition of Port Antonio," Mr. Stewart said. "That's how I ended up buying it."

He said he had been waiting on the Government to carry out its plans to improve the infrastructure in and around Port Antonio so he could reopen Dragon Bay as "the most luxurious spa resort anywhere on this side of the Atlantic. With Blue Lagoon nearby this would be something to behold," he added.

Economic activity

Pressed as to whether he was running out of patience, Mr. Stewart said: "When it comes down to things I firmly believe in I am one of those who will stay the course.

"We have always been about generating economic activity and jobs for Jamaicans." He said the hotel would employ as many as 500 persons.

"As I said before, to operate a (top-) quality resort demands (top-) quality infrastructure. It's a crying shame that we don't have that in Port Antonio?easily one of the most beautiful places in all of Jamaica."