By Simone Morgan-Lindo – STAR Writer—
Ifari Thomas, who for years has been living and earning from the Bob Marley Beach in Nine Miles, Bull Bay, St Andrew, is welcoming infrastructure work being done on the roadway that bypasses the spot.
The work is part of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, which will entail the rehabilitation of approximately 110 kilometres of roadway between Harbor View in St Andrew and Port Antonio in Portland. A concrete sign that sits at the entrance to the beach has been demolished as the contractors prepare to expand the existing two-lane road into a four-lane highway.
Thomas, who cleans the beach and provides chill spots, including cabanas and thatch huts, says the infrastructure work does not affect the daily visits from beachgoers.
“The roadwork nah stop anyone from coming here, not even the tourist. The worker dem lick down the sign, but nobody nah get lost or anything. Right now we have the cleanest beach in Jamaica, and it safe. This is the only beach where the mountains meet the sea, and we have one a the ‘boasiest’ sunset a evening time. Every evening, it’s a different view,” Thomas said.
ALL ABOUT UPLIFTMENT
He stated that he and his family are anticipating the completion of the project. He said that the highway will add “pure beauty” to the area, and they are all about upliftment.
“Di highway a go help the entire place, and mi give thanks. We don’t like how dem a deal with it, because dem a mash down the place before dem start fix, and mi nuh think dat right. But mi happy fi di upliftment weh dem a go give di place,” Thomas said.
Thomas, who said that the spot is a haven for tourists and locals, especially on the weekends, is looking to add live performances to the entertainment package with the start of Sunset Sundayz, which he hopes with become a monthly event.
“This Sunday, we will have Leroy Sibbles in performance, along with a host of young talents and this is something that is highly anticipated, especially with it being free. People love the vibes here,” he said.
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