NHT Requested to Address Housing in Barbican, St. Andrew
By: , September 23, 2017The Key Point:
Photo: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness right), listens to Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang centre), at a town hall meeting in Barbican Square, St. Andrew, on September 21. At left is Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, who is also Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), listens to Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (centre), at a town hall meeting in Barbican Square, St. Andrew, on September 21. At left is Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, who is also Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew.The Facts
- The Prime Minister said with the US$4.4-million road improvement project now under way in the area, the housing needs of the residents must be advanced, stressing that Barbican has potential for “significant economic expansion”, but it has been stagnated by inadequate infrastructure.
- The Prime Minister, who was addressing a town hall meeting in the Barbican Square on September 22, said action must be taken so that everybody can see their house as a prized possession, noting that there are many persons in the communities who are contributing to the NHT, as well as potential contributors.
The Full Story
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has instructed the National Housing Trust (NHT), to give attention to housing in communities around Barbican in St. Andrew.
He said with the US$4.4-million road improvement project now under way in the area, the housing needs of the residents must be advanced, stressing that Barbican has potential for “significant economic expansion”, but it has been stagnated by inadequate infrastructure.
The Prime Minister, who was addressing a town hall meeting in the Barbican Square on September 22, said action must be taken so that everybody can see their house as a prized possession, noting that there are many persons in the communities who are contributing to the NHT, as well as potential contributors.
“I believe that it is now time, with the massive development that we are putting in for the road, for us to spend the time to improve housing. We need to find land in the area and build proper housing, so that the people here can become formal homeowners through the NHT,” Mr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister noted that some 26,000 motor vehicles pass through Barbican daily, hence the investment to free up traffic, to entice investments, and to facilitate more productive time.
According to the Prime Minister, the present configuration of the roadway does not allow for traffic to flow easily.
When completed, the widened roadway will include four lanes running from the intersection with the Russell Heights main road to Jacks Hill Road, as well as converting the one-way section of Barbican Road and the one-way southbound section of East Kings House Road to two-way traffic.
Traffic lights will be installed at Birdsucker Lane, East King’s House Lane and the Jacks Hill Road intersection. Pedestrians will have use of 1.5 metre-wide sidewalks and the roadway will be illuminated by LED lighting, with thermoplastic road markings and raised pavement markers.
“When all this is done, you will spend less time in traffic, which will flow much more easily,” Mr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister added that the Government is also executing projects to ease traffic and promote investments in a number of similar areas across the island, including Manor Park and Montego Bay.