KINGSTON, Jamaica  (JIS) — Transport and Mining Minister Mike Henry says a need of the motoring public has been filled, with the construction of a new Island Traffic Authority (ITA) administrative building in May Pen, Clarendon.

Henry noted that the new building, which was constructed at a cost of $29.2 million by the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), will be able to provide services to the public, without requiring them to travel long distances to neighbouring parishes.

“The building will enable speedy delivery of service to persons when the (previous) facility couldn’t accommodate them fully. You will (also) be saving time and money,” Henry said, in a JIS News interview, at the official opening of the building on Trenton Road yesterday.

Some of the services to be offered to customers visiting the facility will include the testing of applicants for driver’s licences and the granting of certificates of fitness among others.

The new building, which is an amalgamation of two 40ft containers and a 20ft container, took approximately 14 weeks to complete.

It boasts two offices, an examination room, reception area, filling room and kitchenette, external flood lights built also by the staff and students at CMI and a paved driving surface to conduct driver’s tests, among other features.

Henry noted that the building’s construction represents the power of collaboration and innovation.

“It also represents a model for building innovation and developing ways to re-use materials to create a beautiful structure and comfortable working and business space,” he said.

Last week, the Transport and Mining Minister broke ground for the construction of a new ITA and Transport Authority Office in Savanna-La- Mar, Westmoreland.

At that function, Henry stated that the facility would deliver high-quality service to all Jamaicans, with greater levels of accountability, transparency, efficiency and management for the public.