JEEP Delivers
By: , January 26, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Garwin Davis
State Minister in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan (3rd left), prepares to cut the ribbon to open a roadway in the community of Keith in St. Ann, which was repaired under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP). Others (from left) are: Deputy Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Delroy Redway; State Minister for Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan; Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, Dayton Campbell; Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill; and children of the community.The Facts
- Mr. Azan said the programme has made good on the commitment given by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, at its launch four years ago, that JEEP would make a difference, particularly in the lives of those at the lower socio-economic level.
- JEEP, which was officially launched on March 22, 2012, was conceptualised to provide short-term employment, particularly for persons at the lower socio-economic level.
The Full Story
Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan, said the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) has been impacting positively on the lives of many Jamaicans, through the delivery of houses, roads, schools and other basic infrastructure, while creating employment.
He was addressing a meeting at the Discovery Bay community centre on January 22, after a tour of JEEP projects in North West St. Ann.
Mr. Azan said the programme has made good on the commitment given by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, at its launch four years ago, that JEEP would make a difference, particularly in the lives of those at the lower socio-economic level.
“We have visited a number of communities in North West St. Ann today and in every community, we can feel the presence of JEEP. A number of communities have benefited from having basic schools, from having better roads and where persons have been the beneficiaries of new homes,” he pointed out.
He noted that a number of community centres have also been built across the island, giving young people a chance to do something more meaningful with their lives.
The State Minister said he is delighted to see the smiles on the faces of many Jamaicans, resulting from the work being done by JEEP.
Over $47 million has been spent in the North West St. Ann where several roads have been rehabilitated.
Mr. Azan noted that extensive work is being carried out on the Addison Park roadway, a major thoroughfare leading to the Addison Park Housing Scheme, and the project is almost complete.
“The same with the Chester to Spicey Grove roads, the road in Keith and also the Runaway Bay All-Age and Runaway Bay Basic schools, and the refurbishing of the Discovery Bay Community Centre,” he informed.
JEEP, which was officially launched on March 22, 2012, was conceptualised to provide short-term employment, particularly for persons at the lower socio-economic level.
It is not intended to be a permanent fix to the country’s unemployment challenge.