MINISTERS' NOTES: Today, The Gleaner begins a series highlighting the problems, projections and priorities in the various Government ministries.
published:
Sunday | September 7, 2008
Damion Mitchell, Assistant News Editor
Jamaica Defence members on the move. - file
THE GOVERNMENT is to relocate the Kingston-based headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to Vernamfield in Clarendon.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding confirmed the undertaking in an exclusive interview with The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre, saying it would not be immediate but would be pursued for the medium term.
"That would free up a significant amount of lands, perhaps as much as 200 acres," the prime minister said. According to Golding, there is consideration to include the Up Park Camp lands now used by the JDF in the plans for the redevelopment of downtown Kingston. However, he said a small portion of the JDF's operations would remain at Up Park Camp.
Golding has also reported that there are considerations to put up residential houses at Up Park Camp once the soldiers are removed. "We need some more open space where the residents of the city can live and come together," he said.
According to the prime minister, the relocation to Vernamfield would also facilitate the establishment of a proper air-wing unit for the JDF, which would be able to accommodate the landing and take off of fixed- wing aircraft, as well as improved training for the island's soldiers.
security boost
Golding also revealed that the relocation would help to boost the security of the proposed Vernam-field airport, for which plans are being advanced.
The Transport and Works Minister, Mike Henry, who is spearheading the Vernamfield development, told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that he has carried out a directive from the prime minister to secure sufficient lands at the Clarendon location to accommodate a new JDF headquarters.
"I am making the appropriate arrangements for 500 acres, to so accommodate them," Henry said.
"The security of the area is very important to the development of Vernamfield into the multi-modal transport and ultimately, passenger hub, for the southern hemisphere of the world."
The Vernamfield airport was part of the Newtown developments mooted while the People's National Party was in government. But Henry said instead of the Newtown development, the Jamaica Labour Party administration would be pressing ahead to improve the towns around Vernamfield.
TOMORROW: The Vernamfield development.
'Up Park Clarendon'
JDF to move, Camp Road base to facilitate housing and park
ABOUT UP PARK CAMP
In the late 18th century, the House of Assembly passed a resolution permitting the construction of suitable barracks for British troops posted in Jamaica after many of them were killed by the yellow fever disease.
In 1784, 156 acres of the estate known formerly as Up Park Pen was purchased by the British War Department for £350. Lathbury, Curphey and Harman Barracks and the Polo Grounds are the notable large-scale facilities now accommodated on this land.
In 1900, the camp was expanded with the purchase of 257 acres of adjoining land. (The Married Quarters, Briggs Park, the Bustamante Hospital for Children - formerly the British Military Hospital - and the National Stadium and Arena are now located on that property.)
In that same year, an additional 85 acres of land was purchased along the eastern side of Mountain View Avenue for the construction of a rifle range.
Between 1919 and 1922, an additional 112 acres to the north and south of the rifle range was purchased.
Today. Up Park Camp occupies a total of 90 hectares of land and houses all units of the JDF except the JDF Coast Guard.
