Minister of Local Government Desmond Mckenzie is assuring residents of Portmore, St. Catherine that the government will do whatever is possible to ensure that the dyke road is safe for use.

He was speaking to reporters while observing a major de–bushing exercise along the roadway, this morning (August 11).

The Dyke Road has been the scene of a number of criminal activities in recent weeks.

Last week, gunmen engaged the police in a shoot-out along the roadway.

One of the alleged gunmen was fatally shot during the incident.

Several firearms were also found in the highly vegetated area, which investigators claimed was being uses as a hide out for alleged criminals.

Mr. Mckenzie said the de–bushing exercise will help prevent criminal activities in the area.

He said the government is working to ensure the safety of citizens.

This morning’s de–bushing exercise marked the beginning of the ‘Clean Jamaica

Campaign’, which will see major roadways islandwide being cleared of overgrown vegetation.

The Dyke Road project is expected to be completed within a week.