MANDEVILLE, Manchester – Chinese construction giant,  China Harbour Engineering Company is reportedly playing down an assault on one of its employees by a man seeking work on the site of the Christiana bypass road on May 4.

The Manchester police confirmed yesterday that a man has been detained in connection with the incident. Police say the Chinese employee of China Harbour – contractor for the billion-dollar road project – received “grievous bodily harm” when he was hit by a man wielding a spade as he and others sought in vain to get work on the site.

A source close to China Harbour said the company was treating the matter as “an isolated incident” and was pressing ahead with the Christiana project now said to be “nearing completion” as well as other projects across the island.

“It was an unfortunate incident but they (China Harbour) have moved on,” the source said.

He said the company’s attitude had been influenced by a “recognition” that “these kinds of incidents flare up at times when work is winding down on a construction project and people who use to have an income from the project or are hoping for an income become frustrated and tempers flare…”

Police say the assault occurred when men approached the Chinese employee – who is an engineer – seeking work. One worker reportedly became incensed when their requests was refused. He allegedly attacked the engineer with a spade.

Reports say the engineer suffered an injury to the head and was taken to hospital for observation and a scan, before being released.

“He (the injured man) is fine, he is out of hospital,” the source said yesterday.  

The Christiana road project, developed by the previous Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as part of the China loan-funded multi-billion dollar Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) was heavily criticised last year by the then opposition People’s National Party (PNP) because it said the billion dollar price tag was too high.

The then JLP government said the one kilometre roadway would not only serve to ease congestion in Christiana but would function as a “development road” opening up the northern Manchester town and its environs to increased investment.

– Garfield Myers