Jamaica road to be renamed for world's oldest living person

The minister of local government and community development has announced plans to spend JM$3 million repairing a road leading to the house of Violet Mosse-Brown, who recently became the world's oldest living person.

Mosse-Brown, 117, took the title after the previous holder, Italy's Emma Morano, died last month. Morano was the last known living person to be born in the 19th century.

Minister Desmond McKenzie, who also announced that the Duanvale road would be renamed after her, said that the heavy traffic caused by people attempting to see Mosse-Brown made "this gesture a necessity”.

He said: “Not only are we going to repave the road, but we are going to put in the necessary street lights to recognise an outstanding Jamaican."

He pointed out that Mosse-Brown, in her younger days, was a part of the local government fraternity, having served as a cemetery keeper in the parish.

“She was responsible for maintaining a public cemetery here in Trelawny. So not only are we going to fix the road and install the lights, but I have asked the Trelawny Municipal Corporation to do the necessary resolution to rename the road in her name, in honour of her outstanding achievements."

Reacting to the announcement, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said it is both timely and necessary, adding that the international attention Mosse-Brown’s story has been getting is nothing short of phenomenal.

“She is now a major attraction in the strictest sense of the word. Her story has attracted almost every reputable mainstream news organisation globally and has really portrayed Jamaica once again in a very positive light," he said.

"When you package her story along with Usain Bolt and Bob Marley, what you have is something that will separate us from the rest of the competition."

“She is a global treasure, as her experiences are nothing to scoff at. This is a woman who is a witness to history and no amount of money or accolades can add up to her value to humanity."