The municipal corporation in the western parish of St James Parish has approved a resolution to erect a statue of late reggae icon Jimmy Cliff at the entrance to Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in the resort city of Montego Bay.
The resolution, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport for review, was presented and unanimously approved by councillors at a recent meeting of the municipal body.
The move comes two months after Government Senator Charles Sinclair called for Cliff’s home in Somerton, also in St James, to be converted into a museum and for a statue of the celebrated entertainer to be installed along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.
Presenting the resolution, Councillor Damion Brown of the Montego Bay West division cited previous efforts to honour Cliff’s contribution to the parish and Jamaica, including the March 2019 renaming of Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, formerly Gloucester Avenue.
“Whereas Jimmy Cliff has, in his chosen vocation, achieved local, regional, and international acclaim, and has contributed to the recognition and development of Brand Jamaica, and has done so in a manner which has been inspirational and dignified… be it resolved that this honourable council collaborate
with the honourable Minister of Sport, Entertainment, and Gender to commission and erect a statue at a suitable location at the entrance to Jimmy Cliff Boulevard,” Brown said while reading the resolution.
He added that the council also intends to work with Cliff’s family to establish a museum in his honour at an appropriate location in St James.
“Be it further resolved that this council, in collaboration with the family of Jimmy Cliff, establish a museum in his honour at an appropriate place in the parish of St James. Be it further resolved that the resolution be sent to the honourable Minister of Culture and to the municipal corporations, for action and support,” Brown said.
