WORKS CONTRACTS SIGNED IN WESTMORELAND

Minister of State in the Ministry, Dr. Fenton Ferguson signed contracts amounting to some $J126M for road repairs to be done in the parish of Westmoreland. The signing took place at the New Roads All Age School in Westmoreland on Friday, November 19.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Ferguson said that ‘the Ministry is resolute in pursuing activities to improve the main road network’ He highlighted the fact that the Ministry had driven the process to identify and address the poor condition of main road in ‘every nook and cranny of the island.’

Districts that will benefit from the road repairs include New Roads, Darliston, New Market, Carmel and Woodstock. The signing meant that completion of the Chester Castle to Jacks Gate and Darliston to Carmel main roads would now be possible. It also meant that in excess of $J134M would be spent to rehabilitate on rehabilitative works from Woodstock to New Market and Darliston to New Market.

The Road section from Woodstock to Darliston will see significant improvement in the drainage system and asphaltic concrete will be used for the driving surface. This asphaltic surface will cover a distance of 14.25km. The other section for improvement, Darliston to Carmel to New Market covers a distance of 15.9km and will cost over $J26M. Double surface dressing (DSD) will be utilized in the rehabilitative process.

The contracts are expected to run for a period of four months and work is expected to be completed on time and within budget. Survey Paving and Aggregates Ltd. and General Paving Company have been awarded the contracts.

Minister Feguson used the opportunity to warn contractors not to facilitate extortionists. He said. ‘I will not tolerate it, the NWA will not tolerate it and by extension the government of which I am a part will not tolerate it.’