A critical component of the undertaking by the government to bolster its broadband network is slated for completion by the end of the year. The work which is being done in phases include the laying of some 32 kilometers of fibre optic cables along nine corridors in Kingston and St. Andrew that will link the government’s four core sites. The core sites are the National Works Agency (NWA), The Ministry of Finance, e-Gov and the Jamaica Urban Transport Company (JUTC) at Ashenheim Road.
The work is being done through a collaborative effort between the NWA and e-Gov Jamaica.
Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says that the current phase of works will see the completion of the pipelaying works across nine corridors. The work is being done at a cost of over 130 million dollars.
Mr. Shaw says that the scope of the project involves trenching and laying of pipes along several major roadways including Hope Road, Old Hope Road, Wellington Drive, Tom Redcam Drive and Spanish Town Road. He says reinstatement of some critical corridors such as Hope Road and Old Hope Road has already begun.
The work now being done comes against the background of the Covid Pandemic where several government institutions were either closed or had their operations significantly reduced. The network is expected to make the work of government easier and to ensure connectivity during cases of emergency.
GovNet is the platform that will provide a secure network for all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). It will also support the provision of shared corporate services as well as enable data sharing and online communication among government entities. The initiative forms part of the Government’s resilience plan and will seek to ensure connectivity where rapid response and reliable connection will be paramount.
