Hope, scepticism as Obama lands in Jamaica : JAMAICANS yesterday expressed mixed feelings about whether the current visit of United States President Barack Obama to Jamaica will be the start of a chain of positive developments for the island and the wider region.

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Thursday, April 09, 2015   

JAMAICANS yesterday expressed mixed feelings about whether the current visit of United States President Barack Obama to Jamaica will be the start of a chain of positive developments for the island and the wider region.

(L-R) FISHER... the fact that him choose to come here,
 we are very happy. HUSSEY... not a lot can be done in the
 short space of time. BAYLE... with such a short visit, we are not
 going to see a lot of changes (PHOTOS: KARL MCLARTY)

Obama touched down at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) at minutes to eight last night, marking the second visit of a sitting US president to Jamaica.

"We know that the visit is going to be short, but the fact that him choose to come here, we are very happy," remarked Neville Fisher, a farmer in Caymanas Bay, St Catherine.

"This is history in the making," another man interjected.

But others were more sceptical.

"I believe that, with such a short visit, we are not going to see a lot of changes," said Christian Bayle, who was conducting business in Half-Way-Tree, the capital of St Andrew.

Gisele Hussey, who was seen on South Camp Road, shared similar sentiments.

"I believe that not a lot can be done in the short space of time. I believe it may fast-track some roadworks," Hussey quipped.

Soldiers man a section of Oxford Road, in the vicinity of
the National Housing Trust in St Andrew, yesterday.
(PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

Marcia Henry agreed. "I believe the time is too short to bring about the changes many people were hoping for," she told the Jamaica Observer.

Henry made the comment as members of the Jamaica Defence Force carried out last-minute preparations to beautify the surroundings of Up Park Camp, which was expected to be the president's first stop after leaving NMIA.

Further away, near New Kingston, a large contingent of police and soldiers were seen monitoring areas such as Knutsford and other areas of New Kingston, where businesses were forced to shutter early as a result of access restrictions to the area. more