NWA halts work on Mandela Highway due to criminal threat

The National Works Agency (NWA) was forced to temporarily halt work on the rehabilitation of a section of the Mandela Highway through Central Village in St Catherine on Thursday due to the actions of criminals.

“The work team carrying out the preparatory work for the road improvement left the corridor after criminals attempted to extort the contractor,” said a statement from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC).

However, MEGJC Minister without Portfolio for Works Robert Morgan insists the work will be completed and that the Government will not be prevented from making the Mandela Highway safer for road users.

According to the press release, Morgan said he had contacted the police high command and security forces were being mobilized so that the work could continue and be completed.

The work along the road is part of the government’s efforts to improve corridors affected by Hurricane Beryl and the subsequent rains.

It falls under the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) program, which is valued at $3 billion.

The press release said Morgan stated that no criminal act will prevent Jamaicans from receiving the full benefits of the program.