WESTERN BUREAU:
THE SIGNING of the multi-million dollar road patching contract for the Western Region, which should have taken place in Montego Bay last Thursday did not go ahead as planned, as a contractor who should have been a part of the process, fainted minutes before the signing should have taken place.
D. R. Foote, of D. R. Foote Construction Company, fell ill and fainted just before the start of the signing ceremony. He was revived a few seconds after the incident but was nevertheless rushed off to get medical attention.
Communication Manager with the National Works Agency (NWA), Vando Palmer told journalists that even though the contractor said he was feeling alright after the incident, he was encouraged to see the doctor immediately. The Gleaner subsequently learnt that Mr. Foote was seen by a doctor and sent home.
According to Chief Executive Officer of the NWA, Ivan Anderson, the contract for $190 million, which should have been signed between the Government and D. R. Foote Construction Company, will be signed in another 10 days. He further stated that the programme should start before the end of April.
In making the announcement of the new road venture for western parishes, Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill disclosed that 25 roads covering 254 kilometres would undergo improvement. This means western Jamaica is getting the "Lion share" of the $750 million dollars allocated for the National Road Patching Programme.
Roads to be targeted in the project, which is slated to last for 30 weeks, includes Sign to Virgin Valley, Montpellier to Mafoota, Orange Hill to Stonehedge and Anchovy to Mount Horeb in St. James.
In Hanover, Riley (via Dais) to Glasgow and Lethe to Burnt Ground are among the thoroughfares which are to benefit, while in Westmoreland, Grange Hill to Little London, Hertford to Flowerville and Torrington to Pennycooke are to come in for attention.
The Transport Ministry indicates that Stewart Town to Rock, Rio Bueno to Jackson Town, Martha Brae to Kinloss and Deeside to Dromily in Trelawny are in line for the major patching venture.
