Junction gets public toilet - Govt cuts ribbon to bathroom facilities in key battleground seat

After 15 years in the making, the town of Junction, St Elizabeth, can finally boast its own public sanitary facility -- a development residents are calling one of the biggest achievements in the town's history.

So significant was the achievement that Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, left his offices in Kingston to participate in a ribbon-cutting exercise to mark the opening on Thursday.

"I make no apology for coming here today to open this facility," said McKenzie, whose presence also helped to drum up support among supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as the general election approaches.

On Thursday, scores of people -- many dressed in green, the colour of the JLP -- gathered in the town centre to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the public restrooms. The facility, featuring one stall for the disabled, two male stalls, two female stalls, two urinals, and a storage/attendant area, was built to serve commuters, vendors, and especially public transport operators who, for years, had no proper place to relieve themselves.

McKenzie said the announcement of his attendance at the ribbon-cutting had been met with ridicule in some quarters.

"Last week, someone who is a stranger in this town, sent me a WhatsApp picture of a notice put out as it relates to the opening of the facility. The big headline was 'All bathroom dem a guh cut ribbon for'. I find it disturbing because those who are promoting this nonsense ought to know better," McKenzie said. He stressed that the provision of public sanitary conveniences falls squarely under his ministry's mandate.

Junction, considered one of Jamaica's fastest growing towns, is part of the constituency of St Elizabeth South Eastern, has consistently gone with the party that forms the government since 1972. Member of Parliament Franklyn Witter, who is seeking a third consecutive term in office, said the building of the sanitary convenience was years in the making, tracing its roots back to 2010, when he was councillor for the Junction division.

"I think this is one of the greatest partnerships in terms of community, government and the business community. Many people would have doubted over the years that we would not have been able to reach this milestone," Witter said.

For residents, it's more than a convenience; it's a sign that Junction is moving forward. Some JLP supporters expressed strong views about who should have access to the new facility.

"If a did me alone, no PNP would use it, and mi nuh wah see no other people a go or come out deh. Mi nuh business weh nobody wah say, because a our government build it," one woman was overheard saying.

Others saw the development in more practical terms.

"Down here suh sometimes, the taxi man dem smell renk. Sometimes dem smell like rammy, but a because dem never have anywhere decent to go pee pee, so dem just find di nearest light post or wall," said a woman, clad in green.

The woman, who gave her name as Carol, said that without public sanitary conveniences, cabbies would fly their zipper anywhere, and very often do not take care to ensure they do not get urine on their clothes.

"Dem toilet here a guh help everybody," the woman said.

Another resident, Gary Pryce, said the facility's opening was further proof that the Dr Andrew Holness-led government has brought prosperity to Jamaicans.

"A lot of times vendors and other people have to go in the store and buy something in order to use their bathrooms. Some people use the market as well, while others use the roadside, but thank God, all of dat over now," Pryce said.

"This is a good development for the town. All I am asking is that the public use it and keep it clean... this is just a very good look for South East St Elizabeth," Pryce said.