Above: Negril
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Jamaica’s government has set aside just under $26 million (J$2.25 billion) for a group of projects aimed at improving the infrastructure on the country’s northern coast.
The allocation will be executed through the Northern Jamaica Development Project, an initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing and funded by entities including the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank, among others.
The NJDP began in October 1991.
The allocations in the 2012/2013 budget, which is now before the House of Representatives, will go towards acquiring lands including some from Negril to Montego Bay, Greenside to Ocho Rios and Ocho rios to Port Antonio.
Since its inception, the project has completed 100 percent of road surfaces under the Negril to Montego Bay segment, as well as ongoing payments for 220 parcels of lands acquired.
From Greenside to Ocho Rios, utility poles have been relocated, and 203 parcels of land have been acquired.
The government has also constructed 69.7 kilometres of highway in that area.
