Lisia Lynch and Devon Evans, Gleaner Writers
This section of the main road leading to Port Maria, in Whitehall, St. Mary, collapsed over a week ago after heavy rains in the parish. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has given instructions for the rehabilitation of the roadway from Port Maria to Oracabessa in St. Mary to be done before any portions of segment III of the Northern Coastal Highway Improvement programme can be completed.
He was speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony for segment III of the Ocho Rios to Port Antonio highway, at Llanrumney in St. Mary, yesterday.
Mr. Patterson said the Government was preparing a comprehensive plan for the development of lands along the corridor in anticipation of the benefits to be derived from the construction of the roadway. He said it will also facilitate the diversification of the economy of the affected parishes, given the projected fallout from the production of sugar cane and bananas.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
"It will open up the north-eastern section of the country, thereby fostering long-term economic diversification and growth in the tourism sector. Port Antonio, the cradle of Jamaican tourism, will become even more attractive as a tourist destination," the Prime Minister said.
Funding for the project will be provided through a grant of $80 million euros from the European Union, with the Jamaican government providing the remaining $25 million euros to cover the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and the construction of three bridges. Segment III of the highway covers 96 kilometres of roadway between St. Ann and Portland. The project is slated for completion in 2008.
The function was well supported by various Members of Parliament and members of the political directorate. Several vociferous supporters of the People's National Party, who were brightly clad in party colours, were also present, and at times the event had a festive undertone which would not have been out of place at a political rally.
During his address, Ambassador Gerd Jarchow, head of delegations for the European Commission in Jamaica, stressed the importance and relevance of the project, and hailed it as a "catalyst for business creation, especially in the tourism sector."
Also speaking at the function were Raymond Silvera, who represented the Danish Consulate, and Paul Bodtker, project manager for the con-tractors, E. Pihl and Sons.
Although the event was largely incident-free, some disgruntled Jamaica Labour Party councillors in St. Mary were peeved that they had not been invited to the event.
"This project affects the people of St. Mary, yet it would appear that it is only geared towards or involves only PNP officials," Councillor Belnavis from the Boscobel division said.
