Life 10 years after the shutdown of Kirkvine plant - Residents still feeling the burden

October 30, 2019
Sherine Parker turned to chicken rearing after her child’s father lost his job when Kirkvine closed 10 years ago.
Sherine Parker turned to chicken rearing after her child’s father lost his job when Kirkvine closed 10 years ago.
Cary Plunkett
Cary Plunkett
Marlon Wilkinson
Marlon Wilkinson
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Residents of Kendal, Manchester, are singing the sad song that life after bauxite is financially stressing. They are adamant the the bauxite plants propelled cash flow in the community.

Sherine Parker told CENTRAL STAR that even though she didn't work at any of the plants, she has been feeling the burden to make ends meet since they were shut down.

"Me have people weh use to work there, and it nuh only a affect dem, it a affect me because we did a benefit from it too. Family, friend, all type of people. Like all me daughter fada now, him use to work there, and up to right now him nuh have nuh job so a me alone. Right now me a tek care a chicken fi help me family," Parker said.

Marlon Wilkinson, a shopkeeper, said the community paid a hefty price after the shutdown of the bauxite plant in Kirkvine, Manchester.

"It affect the community a lot because a lot of people nah work. We use to have the plant and things up and running, but now nothing nah gwaan. If me did a work a di bauxite plant it woulda much better. Now me afi a try a likkle business and nothing nuh really a gwane. People caah come and support mi business because most a dem nuh have no work. Most a dem have some likkle jobs but it nah work out.," Wilkinson said.

The Kirkvine plant was set up almost as a pilot plant more than 70 years ago. The closure of the plant in 2009 brought sadness, despair and hopelessness to persons in the communities that surrounds the facility.

Cary Plunkett's business is among those that have suffered.

"From the bauxite shut dung it send back a impact pon the entire community. Man woulda buy dem likkle car but dem cah buy nuh car again, suh my business drop. I run a tyre shop and if people nuh have nuh work, tyre nah go well. Young yute coulda own dem vehicle, and from a man own him vehicle, him affi use tyre. Me still a hope and pray dat betta might come," he said.

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