JSIF road construction projects fully on stream

KINGSTON: April 8, 2009 

A JSIF funded road under construction. 

Despite the slumping economy and the government’s announced reduction in capital spending, the rehabilitation of the Spring Bank to Stony Hill Road in Eastern Portland is fully on stream. Consequently, the approximately 4200 persons residing in the communities of Stony Hill, Shotover, Ranch Hill, Spring Bank and Light House will soon see marked improvements in road conditions.

The J$23 million road project which recently got the go ahead from the National Contracts Commission was awarded to Contraxx Enterprises Limited and is slated for completion within four months. The works that will be carried out will involve the scarification and reshaping of 2.785 km of road surface.

Scarlette Gillings, Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, emphasized that, “notwithstanding the current economic downturn, the Fund will be moving speedily to implement well-needed infrastructure projects in the country’s poorest communities.” She noted that the organization will re-double its efforts to carry out its mandate of poverty alleviation, thereby helping the country to get through these difficult times.

The Hon. Audley Shaw, Minister of Finance and the Public Service and Pamela Cox, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean cutting the ribbon to the Ticky Ticky while (center) Scarlette Gillings, JSIF Managing Director looks on. 

The project which is being financed by the Government of Jamaica will also receive the support of LORBS Benevolent Society which is an amalgamation of four Community Based Organisations (CBOs) located in the Norwich/Boundbrook area in East Portland. Through their collaborative efforts, they will contribute 11 per cent of the total project cost in cash and kind, thereby highlighting the importance of interaction and interdependence between government and citizens in making the community development process work.

The community residents will also be trained in basic maintenance techniques to support efforts from the local authorities to ensure that the road will be properly maintained after it is completed.