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Falmouth pier ready for business, but PNP raises concerns
2010-12-07 17:20:37 |
with audio | (2 Comments)
Peter Phillips- file
Opposition Member of Parliament for St.Andrew East Central, Dr. Peter Phillips, is worried that the new Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier could deprive Ochi Rios of business when it opens next year.
This afternoon in parliament, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, announced that construction is complete and that the facility is ready to accept its first cruise ship in January.
He also disclosed plans to partner with a major cruise linefor the expansion and redevelopment of the Ocho Rios Cruise ship pier.
But Dr. Phillips was not convinced the Ocho Rios pier would be upgraded soon enough to prevent diversion of visitors from that town to the more modern facility in Falmouth.
However, Golding said it was unlikely that such a fallout would happen as Ocho Rios has many of the major attractions cruise ship passengers wish to visit.
Dr. Phillips questioned whether the fact that the most attractive section of the Ocho Rios port was being used for bauxite export had anything to do with the slow pace of negotiations for the upgrade.
While conceding that the location of the Reynolds Pier was an issue of concern, the Prime Minister said a solution had been found.
Under the proposed agreement the cruise line will bear the expense of expanding the pier, recovering the cost through a waiver of the fees it would have paid to use the facility.
2010-12-07 17:20:37 |
with audio | (2 Comments) Peter Phillips- file
Opposition Member of Parliament for St.Andrew East Central, Dr. Peter Phillips, is worried that the new Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier could deprive Ochi Rios of business when it opens next year.
This afternoon in parliament, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, announced that construction is complete and that the facility is ready to accept its first cruise ship in January.
He also disclosed plans to partner with a major cruise linefor the expansion and redevelopment of the Ocho Rios Cruise ship pier.
But Dr. Phillips was not convinced the Ocho Rios pier would be upgraded soon enough to prevent diversion of visitors from that town to the more modern facility in Falmouth.
However, Golding said it was unlikely that such a fallout would happen as Ocho Rios has many of the major attractions cruise ship passengers wish to visit.
Dr. Phillips questioned whether the fact that the most attractive section of the Ocho Rios port was being used for bauxite export had anything to do with the slow pace of negotiations for the upgrade.
While conceding that the location of the Reynolds Pier was an issue of concern, the Prime Minister said a solution had been found.
Under the proposed agreement the cruise line will bear the expense of expanding the pier, recovering the cost through a waiver of the fees it would have paid to use the facility.
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