Groundbreaking for Michael Finnegan Market
It’s the place where people meet on Saturday morning either for an early morning gossip or best deals on fresh produce, or both. But the Queen’s Square Market was temporarily relocated in July for the construction of a bigger, better facility through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank. Marion Ali was there for the ground breaking this morning and files this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
With ground just broken today, Belize City residents will have to gather their produce at the temporary Pound Yard open lot for the next seven months until the new market facility is completed. But if everything goes according to plan, the wait should be well worth it for vendors and buyers alike.
Zenaida Moya Flowers, Belize City Mayor
“We can expect some new stalls that will really be cleaner, will really be in a state whereby they won’t be attracting or be conducive to holding rats and it will be something whereby it can withstand the rains. You do not have to worry that at any given time you will be stepping into puddles or twisting your feet. Clearly we’ll have clean toilet facilities as well.”
But coming along with the new and improved features of the market, will also be a new title. It will be renamed after the U.D.P. Mesopotamia Area Representative who has served that electoral division where the market is located for close to two decades. Minister of Housing, Michael Finnegan says it is quite an honour.
Michael Finnegan, Area Representative, Mesopotamia
“Noh much people eena any country get something name after them. There are very few people and I am honored that they saw it fit that they decided to name the market after me. I cud neva imagine eena my wildest dream that this mi wah turn round years after my bwayhood running around yah get name afta me.”
And while Finnegan took pride in the recognition he says ensuring that the facility continues to be affordable for the vendors is equally important. He wants outstanding rent owed to be cancelled. It’s an idea the Mayor supports but will need consensus on.
Michael Finnegan
“Gi di people dehn wah lee run man. Weh dehn mi owe just mek dehn owe and just mek we start ova again.”
Zenaida Moya Flowers
“It is a matter for the Council but I do take his recommendation seriously but it is a matter ultimately for the Council.”
Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.
The new facility will be able to accommodate more than ninety vendors in concrete stalls. And just in case you were wondering if the price of the new stalls will convert to a higher price for the goods, Mayor Moya-Flowers said that her council will not levy any drastic increase.
