385 Houses Provided for Sugar Workers in 2012

The Government provided some 385 houses for sugar workers in various sections of the island in 2012.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, during a national broadcast on Sunday (January 6) in which she highlighted the achievements of her administration’s first year in office.

The houses were constructed in Westmoreland; St. Thomas; Trelawny; and Clarendon.

Providing a breakdown, Mrs. Simpson Miller informed that 145 houses were built in Stokes Hall, St. Thomas; 88 in Springfield, Clarendon; 80 in Hampton Court,

St. Thomas; 39 in Spicy Hill, Trelawny; 22 in Masemure and 11 in Bahram, Westmoreland.

In the meantime, Mrs. Simpson Miller said some 66 kilometres of roads in sugar dependent areas were rehabilitated at a cost of $765 million.

In addition, 13 projects, valued at $213 million, were implemented to upgrade sports facilities in sugar dependent areas in St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Hanover,

St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Clarendon and Trelawny.

Turning to labour, the Prime Minister said the nation experienced one of the most stable periods in its industrial history.

“This is a credit to the maturity and understanding of our worker representatives, the unions and employers.  I wish to commend all who have been involved for putting the interest of Jamaica first,” she said.

As it relates to education, she informed that 8,000 teachers from the early childhood to secondary levels received professional development training last year.

She stated that the Government remained true to its commitment to having discussions with the people.

“Through the Social Development Commission, a series of parish fora was launched with sessions already held in St. Catherine, St. James and Clarendon,” she said.