Friday, November 24, 2006

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): The European Commission and the Government of Jamaica on Wednesday signed a JA$165 million (two million euros) financial agreement to provide funding for the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 30 rural and parochial roads.

“This is a very important signing ceremony as it reflects continuation of the European Union’s support for the Government of Jamaica, directed specifically through works being conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Environment,” Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Omar Davies said at the signing ceremony.

The objective of the rural and parochial roads rehabilitation and maintenance project is the sustainable development of rural communities in Jamaica. The project, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Environment, will address problems such as inadequate road transport conditions in rural areas.

Head of Delegation for the European Commission in Jamaica, Gerd Jarchow said the agreement was aimed at “providing technical assistance for finalising the design and the tender document, and providing supervision for the works and financing the individual works contract”.

“The project aims to rehabilitate and maintain over 30 rural and parochial roads identified by the Ministry of Local Government and Environment. The roads were prioritised on the basis of the importance of the road, the road condition, previous road interventions and the required budget,” Jarchow said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Environment, Dean Peart said he was grateful for the assistance provided by the European Commission to rehabilitate these roads.

“I have been assured by my technical people that the roads will be done properly and proper drainage will be put in. Any assistance coming from the European Union or from anywhere would help (in assisting to fix the roads),” Peart said.

Since 1976, the European Commission has committed more than 700 million euro in projects covering key areas such as poverty reduction, private sector development, and infrastructure improvement. This financial agreement is funded under the ninth European Development Fund.

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