Maxwell

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

Residents of Asia are celebrating the joy of having their main road finally repaired thanks to mining company Jamalco.

Asia, a small farming community nearly 20 miles to the south of Mandeville, has been suffering from a lack of water, telephone service and a good road for many years.

The residents claim that because of the bad roads, it was difficult to get water trucked to the area and other service providers were reluctant to go into the community.

Jamalco undertook the repair of the main road leading from Asia to Mount Oliphant, a distance of 4,823 metres at a cost of $72 million.

According to Jamalco's Managing Director, Jerome Maxwell, the work which started on February 4, was completed on time and within budget.

He added that the repair of the road was the first of many projects the company intends to be involved in.

Scope of the work

He said the scope of the work included grading, levelling and widening the existing road bed, the installation of soak pits, curbs and channels for water run-off.

The parking lots of two community churches were also paved during the process as a good-will gesture. Thirty persons were employed from the community to assist with the project, a situation the managing director said he was extremely pleased with.

In 2007, Jamalco spent US$76 million with local contractors and suppliers, US$26.3 million in taxes and US$25 million in salaries and benefits.

Health care

ALCOA Foundation contributed US$400,000 to improve health care, assist farmers and fund vocational training within its operating belt.

During a brief ceremony last Friday, responsibility for the road was handed over to the Manchester Parish Council.

The council will be responsible for the road's maintenance.