Extortionists staying away from Spanish Town Hospital redevelopment project

 

Fears of disruption by potential extortionists at a hospital construction site in Spanish Town, St. Catherine have not materialised.

 

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton provided that update on Wednesday as he toured the project sites for the Spanish Town Hospital and St. Jago Park Health Centre in the old capital.

 

"Maybe I should commend the citizens in and around St. Catherine and Spanish Town in particular because there was that fear in the initial stages. But the team is reporting that that is not the case. You do recall that we had established a police post here for added security. But we also have community relations officers and there is a programme to interact with the community so that they appreciate and understand what is happening and why it's in their best interests to support it. So I'm happy to announce that up to this point we have not had any incidents. So let's hope that it stays that way," said Dr. Tufton. 

 

Spanish Town has long been on the police radar for extortion rackets, with gangs frequently clashing over control of the illegal proceeds.

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, who broke ground for the redevelopment project in January 2024, had issued a stern warning that the authorities would adopt a zero-tolerance approach to extortion.

 

Construction on the $5.5 billion Spanish Town Hospital redevelopment project is expected to run for 24 months. It involves construction of a six-storey building that will allow the hospital to offer expanded treatment and diagnostic services.

 

Meanwhile, the St. Jago Park Health Centre is being expanded and refurbished at a cost of $704 million.