By IANTHIA SMITH,Guardian Junior Staff Reporter

Government officials are not forthcoming about the progress toward the construction of a new straw market, as they remain tight-lipped about its future.

According to the Director of Works in the Ministry of Works and Utilities, Melanie Roach, revealing any plans for the new straw market at this time will be "premature", as the Cabinet has not yet approved the design.

"Once the final design has been approved, we will do a budget estimate then all of that information will be released," she said.

Ms Roach added that the final design for the new straw market will be completed by the end of the month, and ground breaking for the actual construction will begin early in 2006 and will be carried out for 18 months.

She further stated that previous plans for the new straw market have gone through many changes, making it difficult to give official information about its development. She added that until the final design is completed and approved "everything is just speculation."

" All I can say is we are progressing," she said.

This new position did not sit well with former president of the Straw Market Youth Movement, Luke Small. He told The Guardian on Thursday that the many promises made by the government to have a new straw market built have only been piling up and issues relating to the market are not of "top priority to the government".

"It's another promise. They need to do a lot more than that to convince the people that they're serious, cause it's been four years," he said.

According to Mr Small, the most "unique" aspect of the straw market issue is the support he has shown the government in previous years.

"It was this particular government that came to me saying; 'we need assistance with our election campaign, can you please stick posters in the straw market and give out T shirts on our behalf.' So my first question was; what about my girls?"

He continued that since then the government has been making promises to make major changes to the straw market.

Mr Small, leaning on the words of former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling, said that the straw market plays a major part in the tourism industry and should be taken into greater consideration.

"This is the backbone of the nation. Is this how you are going to treat the backbone of the nation?," he asked.

Although there are many people who agree with Mr Small, some vendors said that they will continue to wait on the government, adding that everything takes time.

Veteran straw vendor, Vernetta Armbrister said that she is quite comfortable with the promises the government has made, adding that she has "much faith" in them and believes they will do everything they say they will.

Mrs Armbrister added that many of the vendors should appreciate the efforts the government has made this far, saying, "we just can't do it by ourselves."

She further noted that she will continue to hold on to to whatever promises the government makes, as she is satisfied with what has been done and she is sure "they will live up to them."

"Mama is quite happy," she said.

A fire ripped through the straw market on September 4th, 2001, dislocating hundreds of vendors who depended on the market for a living.

Previous dates announced for the construction of the new straw market were June, July and August (2003) and January (2004).