Gov’t Working Towards Completing the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project This Year

The Government is working towards completing the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) by the end of fiscal year 2024/25.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, who toured the Harbour View, St. Andrew to Golden Grove, St. Thomas segment on Friday (June 7), said he was pleased with the progress of the work.

“We hope that we will be able to complete this project before the beginning of the next financial year, because we understand the significant economic impact that it is to have on the residents of St. Thomas and Portland, as well as an improvement of their lives, bringing them better water supply, bringing them better Internet and, also, better roads,” he stated.

Minister Morgan said he will continue to monitor the project and work with the contractors as well as the National Works Agency (NWA) to see to it that the development is completed as quickly as possible.

“We did identify some issues but we’re happy that the team is very responsive in resolving those issues,” he pointed out.

During the tour, Minister Morgan also visited the $6-billion Morant Bay Urban Centre in St. Thomas, which is under construction.

“We’re very happy with the progress that is taking place there and we know that that will also be of significant benefit to the people,” he said of the 436,000 sq. ft. development.

The new Centre will see more than 50 public and private-sector entities erecting structures and creating an estimated 3,000 new jobs for residents.

Among the entities that will be occupying the town centre are the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, St. Thomas Parish Court and all other government agencies located in Morant Bay.

Several private-sector entities, including banks, business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and quick-service enterprises, will also take up space at the facility.