Addressing the $2.2-billion contract-signing ceremony for the construction of the St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Prime Minister, the Most Andrew Holness stated that the Government, through his leadership, is determined to take back Spanish Town, St Catherine from thugs who have, over the years, taken control of the nation’s former capital.
He reminded those in attendance that his roots are from the area.
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“I am from Spanish Town. I was born in Spanish Town. I love Spanish Town. It is a place of such great history and it pains my heart to see the buildings deteriorating; the Georgian buildings just disappearing, so much history and culture there… but the town [albeit] historic for a long time, has been overrun by criminal gangs that are really strangling the town of its true potential.”
He also said the undertaking forms a significant part of the continued transformation of the JCF, as well as enhancing community safety.
A contract was signed on July 23 The contract was signed between the Government and West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) Limited.
The modern fit-for-purpose three-storey building, which will span approximately 43,000 square feet, is being executed under the National Security Ministry’s Project Rebuild, Overhaul, and Construct (ROC) initiative.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to modernize and transform the organization through continued investments, noting that since 2016, the Government has invested in the human, physical and technological transformation of the JCF.
“Today marks a significant step in the ongoing journey towards a safer, more secure Jamaica and as we gather to sign this contract, we also bear in mind that there are several other projects of this nature, of this magnitude, which we have already signed contracts for… and there are several other projects to come,” Mr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister said no society can grow and prosper without established law and order, noting that the JCF is the first and last bulwark in ensuring the rule of law and public order in Jamaica.
“There will always be questions about the social context in which the JCF operates; there will always be questions about the fairness, the respect for human rights, the application of the best practices, and these are legitimate questions but it doesn’t mean that we must dismiss the JCF, because without the JCF you are looking at chaos; so, what we must all do as citizens of Jamaica is invest in the JCF. The men and women of the JCF were not imported, they were not recruited from abroad; they are from your communities… and every day, they put their lives on the line for your safety and security,” he argued.
The Prime Minister used the opportunity to offer deep and sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Sergeant Kevin Mayne, who was fatally shot in the line of duty at the Half-Way Tree Police Station, in St. Andrew, on July 22.
Meanwhile, Mr. Holness said the National Security Council and Plan Secure Jamaica continue to play an integral role in addressing violence in the country.
“We have established to monitor this broad approach to national security, a national security council, with an office of the national council, for which we will shortly present a national security act, and that looks at security from a comprehensive point of view,” the Prime Minister said.
“So, we look at security from Customs, we look at security from the anti-corruption perspective, we look at security from cyber, we look at security from telecommunications, finance – all elements that could threaten the safety and security of the State – and we meet every month and we go through it and that is how we manage Plan Secure Jamaica,” he added.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the Government is committed to providing the police with the requisite tools and transforming their working conditions.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Central, Hon. Olivia Grange, described the undertaking as an impactful investment in the safety and security of the people of Central St. Catherine and the more than 30 communities within the St. Catherine North Police Division.
Commissioner of Police, Dr. Kevin Blake, said the project supports the transformation and renewal of the JCF.
He argued that a transformed and modern JCF is essential in tackling the challenges associated with ensuring public safety and citizen security.
Dr. Blake informed that the necessary preconstruction activities have been completed, noting that “this is more than just a construction project; it is a tangible step in the ongoing transformation and modernisation of the JCF”.
Chairman, WIHCON, Peter Melhado, said he believes the project will have a significant effect on the parish and beyond.
“We will apply our many years of construction experience to this task to ensure we do justice to the striking aesthetics of the headquarters building,” he said.
The objective of Project ROC is to convert all police stations into modern, citizen-friendly workspaces, provide officers with a comfortable environment conducive to work, while creating the ambience for citizens to engage the police willingly and comfortably.
