MINISTRY SIGNS MOU WITH TPDCO UNDER "TREE-MENDOUS" PROGRAMME

On Thursday August 18, 2005 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) for the beautification and maintenance of all round-a-bouts/intersections, verges and median strips, in tourist resort areas. The signing was held in TPDCo's conference room at the Tourism Centre, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5. The MOU was sign under the "Tree-mendous Beautification" Adopt-a-Roadway programme, introduced by the NWA in 2002.

Minister of Transport and Works, the honourable Robert Pickersgill "eagerly embraced" the proposal to partner with TPDCo. This, as similar partnerships under the Adopt-a-Roadway programme has blossomed beautifully. He made special mention of the partnerships between the NWA and, National Commercial Bank, Life of Jamaica, Jamaica National Real Estate, Guardian Life and Jamaica Mortgage Bank. The Minister said that the fact that Trafalgar Road is now one of the most scenic examples of Jamaica's main roads is a tribute to the work of these five entities. Mr. Pickersgill also said he expected that the synergy between the Minister of Transport and Works/NWA and the Ministry of Industry and Tourism/TPDCo would serve to improve the cleanliness and tranquillity of roadways in Tourist Resort Areas.

Also speaking at the signing, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Wykeham McNeil said that TPDCo would be identifying private sector companies and community-based organizations and groups to adopt these round-a-bouts and verges. He said that "the agency had some very exciting and innovative, high-impact beautification plans". TPDCO operates in a facilitatory mode ensuring that the physical, social and environmental aspects of the Resort Areas and their offerings are of a standard conducive to a great vacation experience. Additionally, TPDCo supports and enhances the development of community-based tourism related projects through its entrepreneurship programmes and through its Tourism for Prosperity Programme. The State Minister pointed out that the agency's efforts at beautification started eight years ago when the Adopt-an-Area in Lititz, St. Elizabeth was initiated. He said that this initiative with the NWA would facilitate greater linkages between governmental agencies and private sector entities contributing to the beautification and upkeep of round-a-bouts, verges and median in all our Resort Areas.

Transport Minister, Robert Pickersgill expressed his belief that through this programme, the Ministry of Transport and Works and the National Works Agency, together with the combined alliance of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Tourism Product Development.

The gathering was addressed by the Minister of Industry and Tourism and the Minister and Junior Minister of Transport and Works.