ROSE HALL, St James — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has sought to reassure the people of Montego Bay here that his Government is working hard to make the long-awaited bypass for the second city a reality.

“The thrust behind this bypass for Montego Bay actually emanated with Montegonions, but Horace Chang (Member of Parliament for St James North West) has been very influential in getting this done. And indeed, myself and Minister Chang have been working very hard to ensure that we can start the Montego Bay bypass in short order,” assured Holness.

The prime minister was addressing the opening ceremony of Build Expo and Conference 2017, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on Friday.

This was held under the theme: 'Build the future today'.

Holness also disclosed that Dr Chang, who is also the minister without portfolio with responsibility for water, works and housing in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, recently returned from a trip to China where he had sought to secure financing for the project.

“Indeed, Minister Chang is in China..., he has returned, trying to secure the financing to do that bypass,” revealed Holness.

In May, Dr Chang had stated that the Government was working on having a complex financial arrangement for the periphery roadway in place by the end of the year.

At the time, Dr Chang had also disclosed that by the end of June, a route for the bypass road will be signed off.

The Prime Minister's reassurance came minutes following a plea by the newly installed President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, T'Shura Gibbs for Montego Bay which has been growing by up to six per cent annually to be rewarded with the bypass road.

“The city has registered annualised growth of approximately six per cent and will continue to pursue and support opportunities and initiatives in the drive for continue growth and expansion in Montego Bay. The focus of this expo is quite timely, as the need for additional housing and commercial space becomes more evident,” stated Gibbs.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company Limited Western Region executive continued: “Mr Prime Minister, not providing the proper infrastructure to support the economic and population growth is punishing us for a job well done. But, I know you are not that kind of Prime Minister. So, I look forward to your continued support in the construction of the Montego Bay bypass road which is urgently needed to support the continued growth and development of Montego Bay.”

Holness agreed in full with Gibbs analysis and statement.

“Montego Bay is the growing city in Jamaica. You feel the sense of a booming economy in Montego Bay. And we acknowledging, we agree, the city has outgrown the infrastructure and it is becoming a limiting factor now ... the infrastructure. We expect that building the road will free up Montego Bay, make it far more easier for citizens to navigate the city and open up new corridors for residential and commercial building,” stated Holness.

The three-day Expo which ends today will see over 120 booths on display.