Above: Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s Emergency Employment Programme is now underway, with patching, drain cleaning and river training work having commenced in several communities.

The projects have begun in Cow Pen, Windsor Road, Thompson Town Road, Alston to Balliston and Bog Walk. Several other programmes, including retaining wall work and curb repair, have also launched.

The government has asked all 63 Members of Parliament to submit proposed projects of no more than $115,300.

The management of the so-called JEEP programme has been brought under the supervisor of Quantity Surveyor Lucille Brodber, who will implement accountability systems.

The JEEP programme, a major prong of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s election campaign in December, had seen questions arise over funding for the programme, which is provided by the controversial Jamaica Developent Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

The JDIP is funded by a loan facility from China. According to a statement by Works Minister Dr Omar Davies in January, however, $398 of the $400 million allocated to the JDIP had already been spent.

The government said at the time that JEEP would move forward nonetheless.

JEEP will officially launch in a ceremony in Kingston on Thursday.