WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — Prime Minster Portia Simpson Miller has appealed to supporters of the ruling People's National Party (PNP) to desist from sporting orange, the party colour to government functions. She said the colours should instead be reserved for party functions.

"I want to indicate that for us, whether it is JEEP or any work programme this Government, after an election, only party functions we are to be in orange. I just want to make it quite clear," the prime minister insisted.

At the same time, in rebuttal of criticisms levelled by the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party alleging the misuse of national symbols by the ruling PNP, Simpson Miller pointed out that it should also be noted the gold in the flag is frequently substituted by yellow.

"For people making reference to our symbols and flags, I had to point out yesterday (Thursday) that while we talk about the flag, we are not recognising that the flag is black, green and gold. But most of the flags we have right now the Jamaica are black, green and yellow. So when we are talking about protection of our symbols, let us get everything right, not just some," Simpson Miller said.

She was speaking at the $497-million contract — signing ceremony for the rehabilitation of over 22 kilometres of roadway between Ferris Cross and Belmont in Whitehouse, Westmoreland last Friday.

The project is being financed by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank under the Transportation Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme.

Simpson Miller credited the former JLP administration for initiating the project, stating that it forms part of the steps being taken by Government to spark the development of the south coast.

The work will include reconstruction, rehabilitation and resurfacing of the roadway, drainage improvement work and the construction of pedestrian access points.

Meanwhile, according to Minister of Transport, Work and Housing Dr Omar Davies, the rehabilitation of the road will compliment a $280-million project intended to address water problems in the area.

During the contract-signing ceremony, which was held at the Culloden Vocational Training Centre in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, Dr Davies promised to personally monitor the project to ensure that contractors, Asphaltic Concrete Enterprise, deliver it on time and within budget.