Falmouth to Springvale road being repaired #

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The main road from Falmouth to Springvale in Trelawny is undergoing major repairs. The first phase of the works commenced this week, with focus on the section from Wakefield to Deeside.

The four-kilometre section of road is to be rehabilitated through a contract valued at just over $145 million. The project is being implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA), under its Maintenance of Secondary Roads Programme.

Janel Ricketts, community relations officer for the NWA’s Western Region, said that the project involves drainage and base improvements, resurfacing of the roadway, sidewalk construction and installation of a pedestrian crossing and road markings. The project will target the section of road between the Wakefield Police Station and the Hastings Baptist Church.

The new works will complement the recent improvements along the stretch from Dromily to Deeside. These works were completed at a cost of $17 million. The project involved drainage improvement works and the reshaping and asphalting of the targeted sections of the road.

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Kingston man charged for Love Lane murder #

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Fifty-six-year-old Clive Lawrence, a vehicle inspector of Love Lane, Kingston, has been charged for the murder of Anton Stephens, which occurred at Charles Street, Kingston, on April 30.

Reports from the Central Police are that about 8:10 p.m. Lawrence and a woman – who is a relative of Stephens – were involved in a dispute while travelling in a Toyota Probox motor car. The pair reportedly arrived at Charles Street, where the woman allegedly exited the vehicle and ran into the yard. Lawrence allegedly chased her with a knife. Stephens, who was in the yard at the time, intervened and insisted that Lawrence leave his premises.

Lawrence then allegedly stabbed Stephens several times. Another man who came to the assistance of Stephens also received stab wounds.

The police said that Lawrence escaped from the scene in the Toyota Probox motor car and was on the run until July 19 when he turned himself over to the police in the company of his attorney.

He was charged with murder and wounding with intent after a question-and-answer interview.

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Gov’t waves licence fees for electric vehicles #

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The import duty on electric vehicles has been reduced from 30 per cent to 10 per cent, and purchasers of those vehicles will not have to pay licence fees over the next five years.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke, said that the lower duty rates and the elimination of the licence fee requirement apply to electric vehicles that are three years old or less at the time of importation.

He said that the measures, which took effect on July 14, are supporting the country’s transition from a high dependence on petroleum for motor vehicles by making it more affordable for Jamaicans to acquire electric vehicles.

He said that the Government is serious about ensuring a clean energy future.

“The electric vehicle technologies are undergoing rapid change, and so the public interest is best served by ensuring that the latest technologies are preferred over older technologies. Having 10-year-old electric vehicles in the country doesn’t help anybody; we need the latest electric vehicles at any point in time,” Clarke contended.

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