Holness launches $25 billion SPARK road programme and hands over NHT homes

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has pressed ahead with the main roads component of the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) programme, a $25 billion initiative unveiled last week that will upgrade 37 of the island's busiest corridors.

More than 900,000 residents in St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. James, St. Ann, St. Mary, Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland are set to benefit. Work orders have already been issued for 31 projects, allowing main contractor China Harbour Engineering Company to start pre-construction activities. Among the early schemes is the Washington Boulevard Improvement Project, which will include a grade-separated crossing at Molynes Road to ease congestion. A major new link between Constant Spring Road and East King's House Road is also planned as part of the Dunrobin Avenue extension to King's House Road via Sandy Gully.

Housing featured prominently on the Prime Minister's schedule. On Wednesday, he took part in handing over 14 apartments at the National Housing Trust's Vineyard Town development in Kingston. Dr. Holness said the project shows how the NHT turns contributors' payments into secure homes, stronger communities and lasting assets for working families. Each unit offers roughly 430 square feet of living space with a fitted kitchen, bathroom and balcony, along with communal areas including a gazebo. New homeowner Shane Henry, who qualified under the NHT's Parent Assist policy, said, "I'm very happy to be a owner. I work really hard for this. I was something I wanted to do when I was 12 years old. Before I'm 30 or 40 years old. I made it happen, so I'm really happy."

On Friday in Kenwood, Portland, a family received keys to a home under the new National Social Housing Programme. One beneficiary said, "People who walk past me always telling me they can't see me in there. And I'm out in the street, how embarrassing that is. So, I appreciate this beautiful house that I think when I live down in it, I'll be so comfortable. Nobody can pass and peep in from me again." Dr. Holness also officially opened the rehabilitated Kenwood Road under SPARK, noting it is designed to last at least seven years without further rehabilitation. He toured the Bond Urban Centre, now 57 per cent complete, and said the facility would change the character of Portland.

The Prime Minister used the occasion to firmly dismiss false claims that Jamaica would accept criminals under a third-country nationals agreement with the United States. "Let me be clear. The government of Jamaica has invested too much. The people of Jamaica have paid a very high price to reduce the level of crime in Jamaica. So, why would I then agree to take criminals here? Why would I put in peril all of that hard work of the police force and the military? It's nonsense. And we have been very clear. And there is no country that could force me to take criminals having gone through what we have gone through," he said.

Other engagements included welcoming the World Bank's new Caribbean country director on Monday, meeting the Factories Corporation of Jamaica on Tuesday, and holding talks on Thursday with the CEO of Cemex and the Port Authority of Jamaica on investment and infrastructure. Dr. Holness also congratulated Frazer's Whip on winning a fourth consecutive Women's Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over Arnett Gardens.

He expressed sadness at the death of track and field coach Vincent Stephen Francis, who passed away on 4 July at age 64. The Prime Minister praised Mr. Francis' contribution to building Brand Jamaica and noted that the Government bestowed on him the Order of Jamaica in 2017.