2,945 Employed Under JEEP

A total of 2,945 persons have been employed through the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) across 25 constituencies, since the start of the initiative in March.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, provided an update on the programme on May 2 Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minster.

She informed that 788 persons are employed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; 47 under the Ministry of Education; 10 under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; and 2,100 through the National Works Agency (Ministry of Transport Works and Housing).

“Forty nine constituencies have submitted and developed projects, and works have started in 29 – these projects range from bushing, drain formation, cleaning of earth drains, gully repairs, repairs to school roofs and retaining walls,” she outlined.

The Minister noted that the NWA has indicated that work has started in North West Clarendon, Northern Clarendon, North West Manchester, South Manchester, North East St. Elizabeth, South West St. Elizabeth, South East St. Mary, Western St. Mary, Central St. Mary, North East Manchester, East Portland, Western St. Thomas, South West St. Ann, North West St. Ann, South East St. Ann, North West St. James, Central St. James, East Central St. James, South St. James.

She noted that the JEEP Secretariat reviews all projects that are submitted by Members of Parliament (MPs), and conducts site inspections before approval.

MPs are mandated to submit projects up to a maximum of $10 million from their constituencies for JEEP. Under this first phase of the programme, the target is to employ 5,000 persons by June.

By Alphea Saunders, JIS Senior Reporter