Transport Minister Mike Henry

If things go as planned, in another eight months or less, the more than 100 fisherfolk who operate along the Portmore Causeway will finally be relocated to a newly constructed fishing village near the JamWorld property at Dyke Road, St Catherine.

Representatives from the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC) and contractors from M&M Jamaica Limited on Thursday signed a contract for the construction of the new complex.

Transport Minister Mike Henry was also present for the signing and said he expected that the facility could be completed in as little as six months.

The roads and support infrastructure for the complex have already been installed. The entire project is estimated to cost more than $83 million, a huge leap from the previously proposed $11 million in 2005.

The facility is to consist of a vending block capable of accommodating 36 vendors, storage units for 110 fisher folk and supporting bathroom facilities.

Though a contentious issue in the past, Henry said the relocation exercise would better suit the needs of the fisher folk who have been inconvenienced by the construction of Highway 2000.

"[This] will allow them to enhance their economic viability," said Henry.

He said that, at the moment, individuals who would like to access the services offered by the fisher folk are finding it difficult as they are on the opposite side of the toll road.

Motorists would therefore have to drive all the way to Kingston and back and pay a toll twice in order to gain access to them.