Local Government Minister Desmond Mckenzie says financial assistance will be provided to small business owners in Port Maria, St. Mary, whose businesses were badly affected by recent flooding

Floodwaters caused severe damage to homes and businesses, with many people losing all their goods.

The Minister toured the affected areas last week and returned to the parish this week.

He met with the affected business people yesterday.

The assistance will be for those registered with the Municipal Corporation. He said the amount has not yet been determined.

Mr. Mckenzie has requested that market fees for vendors in Port Maria be suspended for three months.

This is part of efforts to help the small business people in the St Mary parish capital recover from the flooding which occurred at the start of the month.