JDIP St James leg behind schedule

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER of the National Works Agency (NWA), Orville Reynolds, has said work on sections of the St James leg of the multimillion-dollar Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) is behind schedule.

Reynolds attributed the delay, in part, to a series of reviews and further consultations with residents of the affected communities on the drainage work to be done in areas.

"Some of the workers had to come in and participate in orientation. We are also getting more knowledge about the communities, especially about the drainage works to be carried out, and these are under constant review."

However, Reynolds, who was addressing the regular monthly meeting of the St James Parish Council last Thursday, indicated there should be tangible evidence of the work being undertaken on eight roads under the project within another two months.

"What we expect to see in that time is the advanced progress on the projects to bring them within completion, within the timeline."

benefiting roads

The eight roads to benefit under JDIP are Palmyra to Cornwall, Hatfield South, Norwood to Ironshore, King Street to Green Pond, Dumfries to Canaan, Rosemount Crescent, Granville to Retirement and Springmount to Sunderland.

Rehabilitation work began on the roadways from February 17 through contractors China Harbour Engineering Company, along with sub-contractor YP Seaton and Associates, and has a 12-month completion timeline.

Questioned about the inadequacy of Gutters drain by Councillor Homer Davis, who also pointed to the constant flooding of the thoroughfare, Reynolds indicated the drainage system has been reviewed and relevant reports submitted to the National Works Agency's technical team.

"The capacity of the drainage system there now is inadequate. We have done some review and have forwarded the recommendations to our director, so he will have to approve all changes on the project."