WHEN most Jamaicans hear of St. Thomas today, what comes to mind is the rapid development taking place there.

Once the “forgotten parish”, St Thomas is now awash with new infrastructure development and major economic growth plans – take the old Good Year factory development as an indication.

It seems that the sun really does rise in the east at last; however, for the people of Westmoreland, a different story unfolds. With crumbling roads, limited modern infrastructure and reduced affordable housing, Westmoreland is fast becoming what St Thomas used to be: an overlooked, underdeveloped area where residents feel the rest of Jamaica has left them behind.

Driving through Westmoreland, especially the once bustling main road that connects Savanna-la-Mar to Negril, is a painful experience for locals and visitors alike. Potholes that could double as small craters are scattered along most roads, forcing drivers to swerve and navigate as if it were an obstacle course. The vehicles take an almost constant beating, leading to higher maintenance costs for residents.

The situation is frustrating, especially considering how essential Westmoreland is to Jamaica’s tourism industry. Home to Negril’s famous beaches and resorts, the condition of the roads is in stark contrast to the image of paradise that the Government loves to promote. However, we are planning to build a new international airport in this area.

St Thomas, once famous for its poor roads, is now seeing improvements, so it’s only natural to ask: when will Westmoreland get the same attention?

In terms of infrastructure development, Westmoreland lags painfully behind. Savanna-la-Mar, the capital of the parish, has barely grown beyond its colonial-era appearance. Many residents complain about the lack of significant development. Instead of parks, green spaces and modernized public facilities, the city is flooded with new markets and supermarkets – many of them Chinese-owned.

Each market appears seemingly overnight, but adds little to the quality of life for Westmorelanders. While there is no objection to economic activity, this type of development raises questions about long-term planning. Where is the spirit of Vision 2030 that promises Jamaicans a place to live, work, raise families and do business?

The limited availability of housing through the National Housing Trust (NHT) is another issue that deeply affects Westmorelanders. For the average Jamaican working in Westmoreland, home ownership seems like a distant dream. The focus of the NHT appears to be elsewhere as the parish has only seen sporadic housing developments. Affordable housing projects are few and far between, with land and housing opportunities either blocked with red tape or left untouched.

For years, residents have watched the property boom in St Catherine, Kingston and St Elizabeth with a mixture of admiration and frustration. Meanwhile, St Thomas has been marked for numerous new developments, presenting a model that Westmorelanders can only wish for. Shouldn’t Westmorelanders graduate from the infamous boarding houses?

The condition of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital provides another painful reminder of Westmoreland’s negligence. The hospital is notorious for its inadequate facilities, long waiting times and lack of medical staff. Locals can only laugh at the idea of ​​receiving “state-of-the-art care”, as even basic medical resources seem to be insufficient. However, there is no urgency on the part of policy makers to upgrade facilities to suit the needs of the population. It is ironic that Vision 2030 aims to make Jamaica “the place of choice to live” but essential services such as health care remain so underdeveloped in Westmoreland.

The contrast between the aspirations of Vision 2030 and the reality of Westmoreland is hard to ignore. A plan that emphasizes “creating the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business” seems hollow when the parish is left without adequate long-term development and sustainable public infrastructure.

Vision 2030 talks about green spaces, cultural preservation and sustainable growth, yet the focus in Westmoreland is overwhelmingly short-term. One square after another, urban sprawl continues, filling every available space with concrete, without a trace of greenery or public recreational spaces in sight. How can we raise families in an environment so detached from the very essence of “quality living”?

So what will it take for Westmoreland to get the same attention as St Thomas? How much longer do residents have to deal with poor infrastructure, inadequate housing options and inadequate health care? Will it take a similar campaign, similar protests, or a strong political push? Or will the parish continue to be the forgotten land of markets, pits and promises?

The people of Westmoreland deserve a vision that includes them. They deserve a parish that grows not only in business but also in quality of life. People want modern roads, access to affordable housing, well-equipped hospitals and green spaces for their children. They want what was promised in Vision 2030. It’s time for policymakers to stop focusing on short-term solutions and start investing in the long-term prosperity of Westmoreland.

The Government now has the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of Westmoreland residents. They have the chance to step up, prioritize and give this parish the same attention and investment that St. Thomas is currently receiving.

But this moment won’t last forever. The people of Westmoreland are losing patience and are tired of feeling like they live in the forgotten parish. If this Administration doesn’t act, they may never get another chance.

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