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Road Development Projects to Spur Jobs, Investments – PM

By: , July 22, 2019

The Key Point:

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says that the major road improvement projects being undertaken across the Corporate Area have the potential to spur new investment and job opportunities.
Road Development Projects to Spur Jobs, Investments – PM
Photo: Adrian Walker
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left foreground), walks along the overpass at Three Miles/Portia Simpson Miller Square in St. Andrew, during a tour of the major road improvement projects in the Corporate Area on Sunday (July 21). He is accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency (NWA), E.G. Hunter (centre); and Senior Director for Project Implementation at the NWA, Varden Downer.
Road Development Projects to Spur Jobs, Investments – PM
Photo: Adrian Walker
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second right) speaks with Senior Director for Project Implementation at the National Works Agency (NWA), Varden Downer (right), during a tour of the Mandela Highway road improvement project on Sunday (July 21). Others pictured (from left) are Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency (NWA), E.G. Hunter, and Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Audrey Sewell.
Road Development Projects to Spur Jobs, Investments – PM
Photo: Adrian Walker
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), is in conversation with Senior Director for Project Implementation at the National Works Agency (NWA), Varden Downer (centre), and NWA Chief Executive Officer, E.G. Hunter, while on a tour of the Hagley Park Road improvement project in St. Andrew on Sunday (July 21).
Road Development Projects to Spur Jobs, Investments – PM
Photo: Adrian Walker
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), makes a point to Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency (NWA), E.G. Hunter (right), while on a tour of the Constant Spring Road improvement project in St. Andrew on Sunday (July 21). Looking on are Senior Director for Project Implementation at the NWA, Varden Downer (third left); and other officials at the agency

The Facts

  • Citing data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), which shows that the unemployment rate fell to a new record low of 7.8 per cent at the end of April, he said that the achievement was not by accident, but resulted from the Government’s “very proactive approach in investing in infrastructure”, among other things.
  • “This is the largest infrastructure project that this country has ever seen. An entire market force has now been unleashed by these developments and you are going to see the transformation happen.

The Full Story

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says that the major road improvement projects being undertaken across the Corporate Area have the potential to spur new investment and job opportunities.

Citing data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), which shows that the unemployment rate fell to a new record low of 7.8 per cent at the end of April, he said that the achievement was not by accident, but resulted from the Government’s “very proactive approach in investing in infrastructure”, among other things.

“This is the largest infrastructure project that this country has ever seen. An entire market force has now been unleashed by these developments and you are going to see the transformation happen.

“Very soon, we are going to see people making greater (business) investments – to expand, improve, and new industries taking a keener look at Jamaica. These kinds of infrastructure will actually improve Jamaica’s attractiveness as a place for doing business,” he said, during a tour of the projects on Sunday (July 21).

He noted that the Constant Spring Road improvement in St. Andrew is “a gold mine for development”.

“This development alone has increased property values. It has created massive capital gains, it has given people the opportunity to look at how they can develop the area, and in developing the lands that means more employment, people getting more income, and less people involved in crime,” Mr. Holness said.

He said that the Hagley Park Road project, which includes an overpass at Three Miles, has “significant strategic value”, noting that in addition to improving traffic flow, it will allow for more efficient operation of the Port of Kingston.

Mr. Holness said that while the road construction projects have resulted in some disruption “the gains to come shortly will be beneficial to all”.

He said it is the duty of the Government to make sure that everyone benefits from the developments.

In addition to Constant Spring Road and Hagley Park, the Prime Minister also toured Mandela Highway, Barbican, and South Camp Road.

He was accompanied by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Audrey Sewell; Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency (NWA), E.G. Hunter and other officials from the agency as well as personnel from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC).

Last Updated: July 22, 2019

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