WHEN most Jamaicans hear of St Thomas today, the rapid development happening there comes to mind.

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

It seems that, finally, the sun is truly rising from the east; however, for the people of Westmoreland, a different story is unfolding. With crumbling roads, limited modern infrastructure, and scarce affordable housing, Westmoreland is quickly becoming what St Thomas used to be: an overlooked, underdeveloped area where residents feel that the rest of Jamaica has left them behind.

The drive through Westmoreland, especially on the once-bustling main road connecting 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 roadways, forcing drivers to swerve and navigate as if it were an obstacle course. Vehicles endure a near-constant beating, leading to higher maintenance costs for residents.

The situation is frustrating, especially considering how pivotal Westmoreland is to Jamaica’s tourism industry. As home to Negril’s famous beaches and resorts, the state of the roads stands in stark contrast to the image of paradise that the Government loves to promote. Yet still, we plan on building a new international airport in this area.

St Thomas, once infamous 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 infrastructural development, Westmoreland lags painfully behind. Savanna-la-Mar, the parish capital, has scarcely grown beyond its colonial-era layout. Many residents complain about the lack of meaningful development. Instead of parks, green spaces, and modernised public amenities, the town is flooded with new plazas and supermarkets — many of them Chinese-owned.

Each plaza seemingly appears overnight, but they add little to the quality of life for Westmorelanders. While there’s no objection to economic activity, this kind of development raises questions about long-term planning. Where is the Vision 2030 spirit 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 impacts Westmorelanders. For the average working Jamaican in Westmoreland, home ownership feels like a distant dream. The NHT’s focus seems to be elsewhere, as the parish has seen only sporadic housing developments. Affordable housing projects are few and far between, with land and opportunities for housing either tied up in red tape or left untouched.

For years residents have watched the housing 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, showcasing a model that Westmorelanders can only wish for. Should Westmorelanders not graduate from the infamous board houses?

The condition of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital offers another painful reminder of Westmoreland’s neglect. The hospital is notorious for its inadequate facilities, long wait times, and shortage of medical staff. The locals can only laugh at the idea of receiving “state-of-the-art care”, because even basic medical resources seem to be in short supply. Yet there is no urgency from policymakers to upgrade the facilities to match the population’s needs. It’s ironic that Vision 2030 aims to make Jamaica “the place of choice to live”, yet essential services, like health care, remain so critically 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 remains without proper long-term development and sustainable public infrastructure.

Vision 2030 speaks of green spaces, cultural preservation, and sustainable growth, yet the focus in Westmoreland is overwhelmingly short term. One plaza after another, the urban sprawl continues, filling every available space with concrete without a hint of greenery or public recreation 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 receive the same attention as St Thomas? How much longer must residents deal with the poor infrastructure, substandard 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 plazas, potholes, and promises?

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

The Government now has an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Westmoreland’s residents. They have the chance to step up, prioritise, and provide this parish with the same attention and investment that St Thomas is currently receiving.

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

keenolee@gmail.com