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News Detail
The long awaited rehabilitation of the Richmond Vale to Richmond Gap roadway in Western St. Thomas is to commence in July of this year, with the signing of a contract between community sponsors and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) on Wednesday July 3, 2013.
Bethel Gap to Richmond Vale Road is the main access roadway serving the Bethel Gap, Mango Row, Cabbage Hill, Richmond Gap and Richmond Vale communities. The condition of the road has contributed to spoilage of valuable produce and has also increased travel time of children and persons employed outside of the community.
The methodology will involve two approaches; one which will see the community being mobilized to manage a contract for a portion of the road works, while under traditional contracting arrangements, the rehabilitation of 2km will be undertaken to include: Culverts, Road Base, Road Surfacing with the overall cost being $26.90 million. Of that amount, the JSIF cost is $ 23.79 million and the community will contribute $ 3.105 million.
Under the CBC model V Drains, U Drains and Gabion walls will be constructed at an overall cost of $ 9 631 800. The JSIF cost is $ 8 461 000 while the community contribution is $1.17 million. The community has commenced the procurement of a contractor. Bids were opened on Tuesday May 21, 2013.
Financing for the effort is being provided under the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the government of Jamaica funded, Community Investment Project (CIP) which aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of poor rural communities by increasing their access to basic services.
For residents of Richmond Vale and surrounding communities, completion of the road has been a goal greatly longed for in an area where farmers are still being forced to carry their produce on the backs of donkeys.
Scarlette Gillings, managing director of JSIF notes that the community is heavily dependent on agriculture and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) reports that there is potential for diversifying some 120 hectares of agricultural production if the road and water problem is addressed.
In fulfilling its mandate, the JSIF seeks to facilitate the empowerment of communities. Notably, for over twenty years, the Richmond Gap benevolent society has been trying its best to attract funding for the rehabilitation of the roadway. “We have not ignored these efforts. Despite the many challenges over the period, our interventions have been aimed at reaching this single goal,” the Managing Director noted.
The drainage, gabion wall as well as the laying of pipes to address the current water challenges in the community will be completed by the community using the Community Based Contracting (CBC) approach.
“The CBC methodology will also help to build community capacity to manage other development initiatives,” Mrs. Gillings states. The project is expected to end in December 2013. Approximately 250 households in Richmond Gap are expected to benefit.
“A consistent water supply and good road network are critical for maximizing economic viability of farming activities. We are pleased today to see that all elements have been pulled together and that the project can go forward after contract signing,” noted the MD.