WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Everald Warmington, opened the Retrieve to Marchmount roadway in Western Jamaica, which was rehabilitated at a cost of $75,391,300.

The 3.87-kilometre roadway, which spans three parishes, St Elizabeth, St James and Westmoreland, was repaired following representation to the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation through the National Works Agency.

The scope of work included demolition and site clearance, cleaning of side drains, earth drains, outlets and culverts, construction of catch basins, concrete U & V drains, pavement works, patching and repairing of potholes, construction of kerbs and guard rails and installation of road markers and pedestrian crossing.

Another $42 million was allocated to the project for the construction of retaining walls.

The minister said the project was completed on time and within budget.

Warmington, during a river cutting exercise on Wednesday, noted that the roadway is vital to the economic activities of lower St James, Westmoreland Eastern, and North Western St Elizabeth, as it provides access to schools, churches, farms and attractions.

He added that over time the road had disintegrated into a deplorable state and “the National Works Agency had indicated that the alternative routes which span from Cambridge through Ducketts, Lambs River, Seaford Town to Marchmount square was not safe as the Ducketts to Lambs River Road eroded to a gravel track filled with mud holes and dangerous breakaways, the route is also very lonely.”

The minister also congratulated the three Members of Parliament in Westmoreland; Daniel Lawrence, Westmoreland Eastern, and Morland Wilson, Westmoreland Western of the Governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The other MP is George Wright, Westmoreland Central, who won the seat on a JLP ticket and is now an independent representative. Warmington noted that the parish has been neglected for years, and the Government is currently working to correct the injustice.

“Minister [Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Matthew] Samuda was here recently and he announced a water supply scheme for over $400 million for Westmoreland. So, I will say without any contradiction that Westmoreland is no longer abandoned. Westmoreland is now recognised and will be taken care of by this caring Government,” stated Warmington.

Warmington was making reference to the commissioning of the $475 million Whitehall water pumping station in Negril last week Thursday.

Anthony Lewis