A section of the crowd which turned out at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay on Sunday, to hear Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, as the People's National Party took its general election campaign to the western end of the island on the weekend. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Three new major government projects were announced for Montego Bay on Sunday night, when Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller ended her three-day campaign swing through western Jamaica, with a massive rally at Sam Sharpe Square.

The Prime Minister, who used the rally to introduce the ruling People's National Party's (PNP) slate of candidates for Region Six, which comprises St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, announced plans for the dualisation of the problematic Bogue road, the upgrading of the flood-prone North Gully and new traffic plans for downtown Montego Bay.

Dualisation of road

"We are going to be going ahead with the dualisation of the Bogue road," said Mrs. Simpson Miller, in announcing the plans to reduce the daily congestion along that roadway. "We have instructed that the design work be finalised so the single lane in each direction will become two lanes in each direction."

In regards to the North Gully, the source of a long-standing dispute between the National Works Agency (NWA) and the St. James Parish Council over who has responsibility for its maintenance, Mrs. Simpson Miller said that it has been officially placed under the portfolio of the NWA and plans are now under way for its upgrade.

The Prime Minister used the opportunity to reiterate government's plans for a new children's hospital for western Jamaica, the construction of a new multimillion-dollar convention centre for Rose Hall, a major drain now under construction in Flankers and a review of the road and traffic lights system, which is designed to improve traffic management in Montego Bay.

Unique caregiving facility

In relation to to the new children's hospital which is to be sited on the grounds of the Cornwall Regional Hospital, Mrs. Simpson Miller said it would be unique in that provisions are to be made to have the parents of very young children overnight at the facility to assist with the caregiving.

Insofar as the upcoming general election is concerned, the Prime Minister said the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party was now feeling the strength of the PNP on the campaign trail and urged her supporters to be a little more patient, noting that she will soon announce the election date.

"When you hear them telling you about wanting a change, tell them Portia is the change," she said. "If you want me to remain as the Prime Minister you must support the party's candidates."