Several infrastructural projects are in progress across the island, with many being undertaken through the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).

These projects include, but are not limited to: road repairs; bushing of roads; bridge repairs; and the cleaning and maintenance of drains and gullies.

The National Works Agency (NWA) has been instrumental in overseeing the projects and has employed numerous persons in various capacities, among them 35 individuals who have gained employment as supervisors.

Director, Regional Implementation and Special Projects, NWA, George Knight, said the supervisors ensure that the work being implemented is done to the agency's specification.

He said based on the nature of the projects, most persons have received short-term employment, although some have had the opportunity to work for more than three months.

"In terms of the National Works Agency, we employ people on a short-term basis and we employ people on a long-term basis, in that we may employ people for a contract that could last three months, six months or a year, depending on the size and complexity of the job," he pointed out.

Knight said given the fact that JEEP is under way in all parishes, employment opportunities have been provided in several areas, especially to oversee the jobs at hand.

The JEEP is one of the strategies of the Government to respond to chronic unemployment among some Jamaicans, particularly those in lower socio-economic groups, persons with special needs, as well as those with low skill levels.