ICT Project could soon provide thousands of jobs for Jamaicans
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Central Manchester Member of Parliament Peter Bunting says “hundreds, if not thousands” could be employed here by next year in an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) project now being developed.
The MP told Comrades at a Central Manchester constituency conference recently that preparatory work is in progress at a Black Brothers Incorporated-owned property on Ward Avenue. Bunting, who is also minister of national security, said the project is being funded through the facilitation of a loan by the Development Bank of Jamaica.
“Work is underway; Tank-Weld is the main contractor. It is due for completion by December and I anticipate that hundreds, if not thousands could be employed there by 2015,” Bunting told his audience at Manchester High School.
Bunting said completion of the project would be fulfilment of a 2011 election promise made by the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) that Mandeville would be targeted for ICT growth.
Two years ago, during a tour of Manchester to assess the ICT potential, technology minister Phillip Pauwell declared that “Mandeville creates real opportunity for Jamaica, especially at the upper end of the ICT spectrum”. He spoke at the time of “very positive feedback we have received from investors who now accept that Mandeville has a tremendous number of capable human resources. We have a critical ICT infrastructure, telecommunications is available and it’s competitive…”
Mandeville’s promotion as a potential ICT hub has gathered momentum since the downturn of the bauxite/alumina industry which, for decades, had spurred economic growth.
Source: Jamaica Observer
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