Cabinet to Receive Contract for Infrastructure Improvement Project in Denham Town

Cabinet is to receive the contract for implementation of the Infrastructure Improvement Project in Denham Town and surrounding communities in St. Andrew South, by July 2018.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, as he addressed the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 12).

The Infrastructure Improvement Project, which will include the provision of water, sewerage and road improvement works, is be undertaken as part of social intervention activities of the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO).

“We are expecting that the contract for those civil works to do the infrastructure improvement will be with the Cabinet by July 2018. And we expect to execute those works over a nine-month period, after approval from Cabinet,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Holness also spoke of a ‘Safe Passages Programme’, which involves improvements in infrastructure, such as the upgrading of roads, sidewalks and the clearing of open lots.

“The effect of this strategy is that we are facilitating the movement of over 1,000 students within that area (Denham Town) and we want the students to be able to move freely in the community, unimpeded, but also there shouldn’t be any infrastructure in place where someone could hide,” he said.

The Prime Minister also noted that a school-wide behaviour-modification programme is to be implemented at the St. Anne’s, St. Alban’s and Denham Town Primary and Denham Town High schools.

“This will address the issues of truancy and behaviour modification among youth and adolescents,” he explained.

He said the programme is a collaboration of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF); Ministry of Education, Youth and Information; and the Safe Schools Programme of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The Prime Minister pointed out that this intervention will be implemented in the new school year.

The House approved two Resolutions extending the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in Mount Salem, St. James and Denham Town in West Kingston by a further 60 days.

The Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act gives the Prime Minister power to declare an area a ZOSO in order to tackle increased crime and volatility.

This is in consultation with the National Security Council. The Zone can only be established after the Police Commissioner and the Chief of Defence Staff make a request for such a declaration in writing to the Prime Minister.