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Citizens reminded to notify NWA before installing pedestrian crossings

Published:Saturday | May 17, 2014 | 12:00 AM
From left: Daniel Howell, Aldene Hall-Dixon and Racquel Gibson, employees of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Duke Street Branch and members of the JNBS Foundation's Action Jamaica Volunteer Corps, repaint the pedestrian crossing at the Alpha Primary School in Kingston on November 24, 2012. -File

Persons are being reminded to seek permission from the National Works Agency (NWA) before proceeding with the installation of pedestrian crossings on Labour Day, Friday, May 23.

Chairperson of the National Workers' Week Labour Day Core Committee, Dahlia Harris, emphasised this point while speaking at a Jamaica Information Service 'Think Tank' on May 15, at the agency's head office in Kingston.

Harris, who is also the principal director of culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, said it is important to notify the NWA in order to prevent the installation of these crossings at unsafe and unauthorised locations.

"Some people in communities may feel that the primary school or the high school really needs a pedestrian crossing and then they take that on by themselves without considering other things," she said.

Miss Harris noted that there are legal requirements and specifications to be followed when installing pedestrian crossings.

THIS YEAR'S THEME

Workers' Week and Labour Day 2014 is being observed under the theme: 'Take a Stand ... Beautify Our Land'.

On Labour Day, citizens are encouraged to identify and participate in work projects across the island. Several police stations have been selected as parish Labour Day projects, while the National Project is the Portmore Climate Change Park.

Harris said the police should also be notified with regards to any activity that involves working on the road and likely to affect the free flow of traffic.

"We have to let the police know, so they can help you and make it safe for you. We do not want people in the middle of the road putting cones where they shouldn't and then things happen on Labour Day," she said.

Meanwhile, Harris is encouraging citizens to register their projects by calling 978-7654, Ext. 5135 at the National Labour Day Secretariat or by email: labourday2014@myc.gov.jm. Persons can also access information about Labour Day by logging on to http://labourday2014.wix.com/labourdayja2014 or to Twitter - @moycja and Facebook - Ministry of Youth and Culture Jamaica.

Labour Day activities are being coordinated by the Ministry of Youth and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

- JIS