Under the project, which was undertaken by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) through funding from the World Bank, some 2.52 kilometres of roadway was asphalted, with concrete cross drains and retaining walls constructed. It will directly benefit more than 500 residents in the community and surrounding areas.

Minister of finance and the public service and member of parliament for North Eastern Manchester, Audley Shaw, has urged the residents to take care of the roadway.

Great cost

"This road has come at a great cost; let's take care of it. This is a vital infrastructure for the farmers and other users, and I will be very upset with anyone who seeks to destroy it," he stated.

Managing director of JSIF, Scarlette Gillings, said the rehabilitation of the road will improve access by farmers to markets and enable the community to benefit from development projects. She commended the cooperative partnership between citizens and the funding organisations in undertaking the project.

Resident Loraine Gayle expressed gratitude on behalf of the community.

"For many years we suffered with taxis not wanting to drive in this area because of the condition of the road. Now that it is fixed, we will do our best so that it can be in a good condition for a long time," Gayle said.