Government Invests $76 Million in Tree-Relocator Equipment to Champion Sustainable Development
The Holness administration has moved decisively to protect the environment while advancing national infrastructure.
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness officially commissioned a $76 million investment in specialized tree-relocator equipment.
The investment underscores the Government’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday (June 9) held at Jamaica House, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
The new machinery, now housed at the Forestry Department, will support roadworks under the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Programme, including the expansion of Arthur Wint Drive, Lady Musgrave Road, and Hellshire Road.
The acquisition aligns with the government’s broader “Greening Jamaica” initiative, which resulted in the planting of more than three million trees in five years. The project is now in its next phase.
“You can’t see development as a trade-off between the built environment and the natural environment. So, we have to figure out ways in which each reinforces development. The built environment reinforces the natural environment. And we use the natural environment to reinforce and support the built environment,” said Prime Minister Holness.
The equipment allows for a 90% success rate when transplanting trees, marking a major advancement in the country’s ability to preserve its green spaces while expanding critical infrastructure.
“76 million dollars in this equipment that is going to ensure that as we now widen our roads, we can do two things. We can make our roads not only a corridor for traffic, [but also] a corridor for trees. So, all the roads that we’re going to be doing now, we’re going to ensure that we have enough reservations to have a cooling effect of trees being planted along our corridors. That cooling effect is good from an environmental standpoint,” stated Prime Minister Holness.
The equipment will play a critical role in upcoming infrastructure works and provide long-term benefits as the government integrates green planning into urban design.
In the meantime, citizens are urged to support the national vision for sustainability.