Ian Hayles presses government on idle Westmoreland land, roads, water and Negril tourism

Opposition Member of Parliament Ian Hayles used parliamentary time to press the Government over more than 425 hectares of land under SCJ control in Westmoreland that he said remains largely idle, calling for licences to be freed so legal cannabis farmers can put the acreage to work.

Addressing the Speaker, Hayles argued that Jamaica's tourism pitch rests on sun, sea, reggae and cannabis, and that strong visitor arrival figures partly reflect demand linked to the herb. He said record tourism numbers should not distract from the need to support the local ganja sector.

Hayles also raised longstanding infrastructure complaints across Westmoreland Western communities including Sheffield, Kettering, Little London, Orange Hill, Brighton, Little Bay, Brown's Alma, Green Hill, Tollgate, Chigwell, Town Head, Blackness, Red Hills and Blue Hole, where residents continue to cry out for improved roads and water supply.

On employment, he noted that many constituents work daily in tourism but see uneven benefits. Multinational operators report excellent profit margins and high occupancy, he said, while frontline workers earn low wages that cannot be ignored. Small and medium-sized operators who helped build Negril and the wider tourism sector now need urgent government attention.

Hayles urged Cabinet ministers to develop a plan of action and to pick up the phone and call Negril stakeholders directly, naming Lee Issa, Daniel Grizzle, Linval Williams, Elaine Bradley, Richard Wallace and Damien Salmon for insight into conditions they face every day. As Mr Penny would say, he added, Westmoreland is tired of promises and fancy documents and wants action now.

In closing, Hayles thanked the people of Westmoreland Western for persevering one day at a time and for keeping hope alive through hardship, including those still without a roof and working to rebuild. He pledged to continue fighting on their behalf whether they voted PNP or JLP, saying that in the end every Jamaican shares the same national bond.