SPARK road upgrades, NHT housing and peace ranking lead government update

Government has launched the $25 billion main roads arm of the SPARK programme to upgrade 37 corridors. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and Works Minister Robert Morgan said over 900,000 people in St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. James, St. Ann, St. Mary, Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland should benefit. The works include drainage, slope stabilisation, retaining walls, bridges, culverts, signage, road markings and pedestrian safety features, including tactile aids for visually impaired users. Work orders are out for 31 projects, with China Harbour Engineering Company beginning pre-construction work. Flagship jobs are Washington Boulevard, with a grade-separated crossing at Molynes Road, and the Dunrobin Avenue extension linking Constant Spring Road and East Kings House Road.

Holness also handed over 14 National Housing Trust apartments in Vineyard Town, Kingston, on Wednesday: eight at 2A Central Avenue and six at neighbouring 7 Third Avenue. The project, started in 2017, was temporarily halted by extortion and worker safety concerns. Each unit has about 430 square feet, a fitted kitchen, bathroom, balcony and shared amenities including a gazebo. Holness also urged private developers to use the NHT small developers programme for projects of five to 25 units, or up to 50 rooms, to expand affordable housing and lower prices through scale.

On security, Holness said Jamaica's ranking as the Caribbean's most peaceful country in the 2026 Global Peace Index reflects stronger investment in security and peace. The Institute for Economics and Peace placed Jamaica third in North and Central America and 70th globally out of 163 countries, using 23 indicators on safety, conflict and militarisation. Jamaica performed well on low internal and external conflict, though localised crime remains an issue. Between January and June, major crimes fell 19.5 per cent and murders 23 per cent. Dr. Horace Chang said 2025 ended with 674 murders, the first annual total below 700 in more than 32 years, while the homicide rate fell from 40 to 24 per 100,000 residents.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister Floyd Green said India is donating 20 fishing boats and engines under a hurricane recovery programme for fisherfolk affected by recent weather events. Announcing the support at International Fishermen's Day in Colonel's Cove, Morant Bay, St. Thomas, he said it will add to grants, boats, engines and gear already being given to fishers who lost equipment during Hurricane Melissa. Green said the vessels are being shipped. He also said minor fisheries breaches are to be handled through the Traffic Information Management System, allowing fines without a court appearance.

The National Irrigation Commission said it has strengthened infrastructure and emergency systems for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. Rowan Stewart, director of engineering and technical services, said lessons from Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and Hurricane Melissa in 2025 have informed more maintenance and upgrades. About $108 million has gone into generators and variable frequency drives, alongside a 150-kilowatt solar system in the Duff House Irrigation District, rehabilitation of 700 metres of canals and replacement of 1,400 metres of pipeline.