$60 Million Contract Signed for Relocation of Sugar Workers

A $60 million contract has been signed and ground broken for infrastructure works at Steel Field Sugar Estate Barracks relocation sites in Spicy Hill, Trelawny.

This is to facilitate the resettlement of some 97 persons to 39 housing solutions in ultra-modern communities, under the Sugar Area Development Programme, supported by the European Union (EU).

The contract was signed on November 16 by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, in Trelawny.

The Government has made provisions to resettle some 876 residents of sugar estate barracks islandwide, in about 400 housing solutions at seven relocation sites in four sugar parishes, at an estimated cost of $1.4 billion.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Mr. Clarke said that the establishment of new housing solutions in ultra-modern communities is expected to add value and improvements to the lives of beneficiaries and the selected communities.

“This is only one of the seven re-settlement projects planned by the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, which will allow for an upgrade of the quality of life of persons living in sugar estate barracks,” the Minister said.

He pointed out that in all of government’s efforts to reform the sugar industry and improve the lives of all persons living in sugar-dependent communities; sterling support has been consistently received from the European Union, through the Sugar Accompanying Measures Programme.

Highlighting the Ministry’s two-pronged approach to development of these communities, the Minister informed that an “ambitious raft of projects” to support improvement to social economic well-being such as, cane roads rehabilitation, regional drainage projects,  and programmes to improve clinics, schools and sporting facilities, were being rolled out.

"The new settlements to be developed for relocation of residents are expected to support social services.  Infrastructure, such as schools, shops, markets, post offices, churches, playfields, industrial areas, community centres and police stations are to be put in, where necessary,” the Minister pointed out.