KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) Thursday aborted work to improve the section of the Mandela Highway through Central Village, due to the actions of criminals.

The work crew carrying out the preparatory works for the patching of the road left the corridor after criminals sought to extort the contractor.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Robert Morgan is, however, adamant that the work will be done, and that the Government will not be prevented from making the Mandela Highway safer for road users.

Morgan told Observer Online that he has been in touch with the police high command and that the security forces will be mobilised for the works to continue and be completed.

The work being done along the Mandela Highway forms part of the Government’s push to improve corridors impacted by Hurricane Beryl and subsequent rains. The work is being done under the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) Programme, which is valued at $3 billion.

Morgan said the Government intends for Jamaicans to receive the full benefits under the programme and that no act of criminality will prevent this from happening.