Work crews from the National Works Agency (NWA) had to halt repair efforts on the Mandela Highway in Central Village due to extortion attempts against the contractor on October 10.

Robert Morgan, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, emphasized the government’s commitment to continuing these repairs, insisting that safety for road users must prevail.

The repairs are part of the $3 billion Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programme, which aims to restore roadways impacted by Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

Morgan affirmed that the government is determined to ensure Jamaicans benefit fully from this initiative, stating that criminal actions will not impede its progress.