Apr 23, 1999
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Apr 23, 1999 |
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NORMALITY RETURNS
THE COUNTRY began gathering momentum yesterday in its return to normality after three days of islandwide protests against increased gas prices which resulted in the virtual shutting down of the country. With the state-owned oil refinery Petrojam open for business yesterday, gas tankers rolled again and service stations in the Corporate Area and Western Jamaica that were running low on fuel were able to top up their reserves. The clean-up process also began for owners of businesses looted and razed by criminal elements who used the demonstrations as a guise to loot and pillage. Trucks belonging to Metropolitan Parks and Markets and Central Parks and Markets were busy clearing roadblocks and other debris in the Corporate Area and parts of St. Catherine. Heavy equipment was provided by the Public Works Department and private contractors. It was business as usual for the island's commercial banks, many of which were packed with customers carrying out various transactions. But it is not known if public sector workers will be joining the bank queues today. Some have complained to The Gleaner that they should have been paid yesterday, but are yet to be told when their cheques will be ready. Work was in progress yesterday at major companies such as Wray and Nephew, Desnoes and Geddes and Grace Kennedy. There was also some activity along Marcus Garvey Drive. The commercial districts of downtown Kingston, New Kingston as well as the Portmore Mall and the old capital, Spanish Town, all experienced some level of business although the crowds were not visible. Many supermarkets and retail outlets were also open and some have begun to receive goods. Not many buses were seen on the roadways and those that were out ran near empty as many persons opted to remain at home. Taxi operators were however out in their numbers. In regards to air transport, reports are that most flights into and out of the island are back on schedule. The education sector has still not recovered. Most schools, both public and private, remained closed. Although most are expected to be open today, some have advised their students not to turn up for classes before Monday. Both the University of the West Indies and University of Technology, from where a joint delegation of students marched on Jamaica House and were granted audience with Prime Minister P. J. Patterson on Tuesday, were in full swing when The Gleaner visited yesterday as students prepared for exams. With the roadblocks out of the way, passage for motorists was relatively smooth on most roadways. |
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