Clarke answers Protoje’s call for 24-hour reggae

Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke has answered Protoje’s call for ‘more reggae music in Kingston’, as he promised to make the busy city a 24/7 entertainment zone.

Clarke was opening the Budget Debate on Tuesday in the House of Representatives.

“Fort Rocky is in Kingston and I want to humbly tell Protoje that this government of Prime Minister Holness, listens and we hear you. Tell Protoje that with this Government, reggae music will play in Kingston, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Clarke, adding that the Government plans to “leverage the economic stability in the people’s benefit”.

Protoje had vented his frustration following the abrupt ending of his Lost In Time Festival recently.

“Yow Jamaica, dem seh no more, mek sure unu government know seh wi need reggae music fi play inna Kingston,” the upset Kingston Be Wise singer said before throwing his microphone in the air and exiting the stage, following the lawmen’s order to end the concert.

Fort Rocky was selected as Jamaica’s first entertainment zone which would allow for the hosting of events and free, unimpeded playing of music. But in the seven years following that announcement, the works for the entertainment hub has been moving at a slow pace. However, Entertainment Minister Oliver Grange had asked Clarke for a section of the budget to be allocated to the completion of the entertainment hubs.

“[Grange] asked me specifically to tell all Jamaicans that the necessary funding of $120 million has been included in the budget to complete the rehabilitation of JamWorld [in Portmore, St Catherine] and Fort Rocky as fully functional 24/7 entertainment zones,” Clarke shared.

He added, “Minister Grange is a strong advocate and wants musicians to have spaces where they can earn their livelihood in peace. And where Jamaicans have the opportunity to enjoy reggae music in peace.”

Recently Grange told THE STAR that “a majority of the necessary work” has been completed at Fort Rocky.

“Work on the development of the Port Royal Entertainment Zone — which includes Fort Rocky, the lighthouse, cruise ship pier, old naval hospital and Fort Charles — is on track. We have done interior refurbishment, landscaping, some roadworks, erection of signage and fencing along the shoreline,” said Grange.

She noted that since the development in the area, Fort Rocky continues to be a popular location for film-makers. “Scenes from the TV series Get Mille Black and several music videos have been shot there. It’s also being used for all kinds of photography, including weddings and editorial,”Grange shared.

In delivering the Throne Speech, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen also announced that JamWorld Entertainment Complex will also become Jamaica’s first 24-hour entertainment zone.

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