Minister of Energy and Mining, James Robertson, has disclosed that plans are in the making for the expansion and development of Reynolds Pier, in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Robertson made the disclosure on Thursday, following a tour of the cruise shipping facility and a meeting with representatives of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Carnival Cruise Lines and other key government stakeholders.

development plans

The minister said the groups would work together to develop the pier. He also pointed out that the results of the development plans should ensure future benefits to Ocho Rios, the parish of St Ann and Jamaica at large.

According to Robertson, the development plans had given rise to three tabled options and that the Port Authority of Jamaica had indicated that engineers would be put to work as early as Monday to look at those options and see which of the three could work best.

The engineers would also seek to look at the interim work that would have to be carried out, so as to ensure that the town of Ocho Rios is protected.

Meanwhile, member of parliament for North East St Ann, Shahine Robinson, said there were certain issues, such as the outside infrastructure, that would have to be taken into consideration when the work begins, adding that the development would impact positively on the town of Ocho Rios and its environs, as well as on the economy.