JET Asks the Jamaican Government for More Info on Cruise Pier

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is calling on the Government to provide more information on its plans for a cruise ship pier at Port Royal in Kingston.

JET, in a statement today, bemoaned what it said was the lack of detailed information in the public domain regarding the development, which is proposed to be constructed at the Old Coal Wharf in the Palisadoes Port Royal Protected Area (PPRPA) in Kingston.

The environmental organization noted that the area is a RAMSAR wetland of international importance, and meters away from a proposed World Heritage Site – Port Royal.

It said very little details have been forthcoming on the cruise port development despite requests for information from two state agencies — the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

As such, JET is urging the Government to present the public with a detailed description of what is planned for the Port Royal Cruise Port development, including an assessment of its potential impact on the environment and the activities of those who live, work and travel on the Palisadoes Strip in Kingston.

JET informed that following multiple Access to Information requests in 2018, last October it received copies of the PAJ's application for a beach license to NEPA to construct a SeaWalkTM floating cruise ship pier at the Old Coal Wharf in Port Royal.

The environmental trust also noted two recent news items referring to developments regarding the proposed Port Royal Cruise Ship Pier.

Source: The Jamaica Observer