Finance Minister, Dr. Nigel Clarke has expressed concern that only an estimated 862 engineers are registered with the Jamaica Institute of Engineers (JIE) and the Professional Engineers Registration Board.

Dr. Clarke was speaking at the opening ceremony for Engineers’ Week at the JIE in Kingston on Monday (September 18).

Noting the Government’s plan to build out the country’s social and physical infrastructure, Dr. Clarke said the number of registered engineers has to be vastly improved to meet the demand of future projects.

At the opening ceremony for the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that fewer than 20 Jamaican engineers were employed to the project.

This, he said was due to a limited number of professionals within that group.

Like Dr. Clarke, the Prime Minister stressed the need for more engineers in the country.