Gov’t developing a $5 billion programme to improve communities under an Infrastructure Works Project

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said that the Government is developing a five billion dollar programme to improve communities under an Infrastructure Works Project.

Speaking at the Contract Signing and Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Spicy Grove Infrastructure Works Project in Oracabessa, St. Mary on September 25, the Prime Minister said, “The Government is developing a programme where we will allocate $5 billion for the next three years, to improve communities, just like Spicy Grove”.

He explained that “where the communities need roads, water, and other infrastructure, and some restructuring to get titles, we will be doing this sort of intervention”.

In 2019, the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation declared the Spicy Grove community a Special Improvements (Infrastructure) area under the Local Improvements (Community Amenities) Act (LICA). This declaration was due to the informal land occupation by approximately 65 households and inadequate roadways and water supply.

“People had already made their investment in the land. So, we took the view that it would be better to support the community, to regularise the community. On your behalf, the Government of Jamaica will be investing in road development. One of the reasons I’m very happy to be here is that I’m not just signing the contract, because as I entered the community, I saw the land surveyors with their equipment already doing the work”, Prime Minister Holness said.

The Prime Minister noted that while the improvement works are ongoing, the residents will be consulted.

“This is not just a promise. This is a reality…we will also put in the water supply, which is very important for any community, and all the other amenities will follow once your road and your water are in place”, he said.

Prime Minister Holness also added that 70 lots will be surveyed and titled.

“The public would be happy to know that there will be 70 lots surveyed and titled so, in addition to the road and the water and what we paid for the land on your behalf, you will also get your title. In effect, if there ever was an example of a community that will be transformed, regularised, Spicy Grove would be that community”, he ended.

The Spicy Grove development is a MEGJC-led initiative and will take up to six months. Southland Construction Limited is contracted to carry out the works at a projected cost of $56.9 million. The project is aimed at the regularisation of the informal settlement and will improve living conditions, enhance infrastructure, and formalise the settlement for sustainable development.