$1.2 Billion Invested in West Under Sugar Transformation Programme

Approximately $1.2 billion has been invested to date, under the European Union (EU) funded Sugar Transformation Programme, in western Jamaica.

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said the investments have been made across the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Trelawny.

Giving an update on the programme at the Jamaica House media briefing, held on February 5 at the Office of the Prime Minister’s western office in Montego Bay, St. James, Minister Kellier reported that an estimated 32 kilometres of road have been improved at a cost of $138 million under the Cane Roads Rehabilitation Programme, while $35.85 million has been spent to clean four drainage systems.

He further informed that a total of 56 construction and improvement projects costing $608 million were executed on schools, clinics and libraries in these sugar dependent areas. Work valuing $86.5 million was also undertaken on six sporting facilities.

The Minister said approval has been given for the planting of 5,325 hectares of cane valued at $846 million under the Cane Expansion Fund, while nine applications for equipment costing $61 million have been approved.

The Sugar Transformation Programme aims to develop a sustainable private sector- led sugar cane industry by 2015; strengthen the economic diversification, social resilience and environmental sustainability of sugar dependent areas; and maintain progress towards macro-economic goals.