NWA To Continue Buildout Of Fibre-Optic Network

The National Works Agency (NWA) will continue its programme of building out its fibre-optic network to connect key sections of its infrastructure, such as the traffic signals and its intelligent Traffic Management Centre.

“The NWA has been at the forefront of building out a Public Safety Network for the Government and people of Jamaica. This is part of the Agency’s push to deliver services in real time with tangible benefits to the travelling public,” said Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Everald Warmington.

Making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representation, on May 11, Mr. Warmington, who has responsibility for Works, said other government ministries, departments and agencies are also benefiting.

He informed that during the fiscal year 2021/22, the NWA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, provided broadband connectivity to nine Jamaican Courts.

“An additional 13 courts are now being connected. Similar to the buildout of the parish courts on to the NWA’s fibre-optic cable infrastructure, same was executed for the municipal corporations islandwide,” he said.

The Minister added that, to date, nine municipal corporations are connected to the fibre backbone infrastructure.

Mr. Warmington said owing to the impact of COVID-19 on the education system, the NWA has been integral in the buildout of fibre-optic cable infrastructure to schools within Kingston and St. Andrew.

“This is in support of the Education Ministry’s push to provide stable Internet access to schools with the demand for high bandwidth usage due to large student populations,” he said.