BY SHARIFA MEDFORD | APR 6, 2022 |
The newly refurbished jetty at Speightstown will present economic opportunities for all who occupy that area.
This was underscored by Acting Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Kirk Humphrey, as he addressed persons who gathered at the Speightstown Esplanade, for the commissioning of the jetty there.
Minister Humphrey pointed out that the jetty would present greater accessibility to Speightstown and the northern communities, and play a significant role in the tourism sector.
“[The jetty] holds the potential to bring new life to the community, with expanded opportunities for fisher folk, restaurants and bar, retail shops and for those in leisure and commercial sailing. It will bring increased human traffic that will enhance prospects for economic viability for this area, not only for large commercial spaces but also the vendors who occupy this space,” he affirmed.
His sentiments were shared by Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, and Member of Parliament for St. Peter, Colin Jordan, who emphasised that “the Speightstown jetty is not for any particular group or class; it is for the people of Speightstown, the people of St. Peter and the people of Barbados”.
Minister Jordan pointed out that the refurbishment of the jetty was one step towards the revival of Speightstown and noted that there would be great benefits for residents and businesses of the town.
“We expect that just like the jetties from the 17th and 18th century provided that economic activity … the jetty, now being recommissioned, will also bring business possibilities, business benefits, commercial benefits, to all stakeholders who are associated with Speightstown,” he stated.
The Speightstown jetty, which now spans 380 feet long and 14 feet wide, underwent a number of repairs, including work done to the deck and lower level platform, general concrete repairs, and installation of services and lighting, at a cost of $1.2 million.
Acting Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Kirk Humphrey; Senior Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. William Duguid; and Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan, take a walk down the newly refurbished jetty in Speightstown yesterday. 
Acting Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Kirk Humphrey ( extreme left ); Senior Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. William Duguid ( second from right at front ) ; and Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan ( second from right ), chatting with some of the invited guest and fisherfolk. 
