KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Mike Henry, has hailed the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for earmarking a number of Clarendon communities for assistance.

The communities will be receiving development support to lessen the impact of climate change, increase access to water supply, improve agricultural output, and upgrade educational institutions.

“For this, I say a big thank you,” Minister Henry said, while delivering the keynote address at the launch of the 2016 Human Development Report on Tuesday at the Wembley Centre in Hayes.

He told the gathering that the support from the UNDP will go a far way to uplift and build the communities along sustainable paths.

Meanwhile, Henry, who is also the Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, said the Government is looking at putting a bus system in place to serve Clarendon and other rural communities.

This, he said, would ensure a safer and more reliable transport system and reduce travel costs, particularly for students.

Henry further informed that the nearby Jamalco plant will be adding some 600 new jobs, through a major energy project under way.