$49 Million Set Aside for Poverty Reduction Programme

A sum of $49 million has been set aside for the Poverty Reduction Programme II in the Ministry of National Security.

This has been outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project, which is being financed by the European Union, seeks to contribute to poverty alleviation through sustainable growth with emphasis on the promotion of community safety and the reduction of criminal behaviour in volatile and vulnerable communities.

Activities to be undertaken this financial year include: renovation of the Tivoli Gardens, Hunts Bay and Spanish Town Police Stations; provision of furniture and equipment for all three stations; and furnishing and equipping the community rooms of the Half-Way Tree and Hunts Bay Police Stations.

Achievements up to March 2013 include completion of drawings and Bills of quantities for the Tivoli Gardens Police Station.

The project which commenced in April 2009 is slated to end in May 2014, following a number of extensions.

By Chris Patterson, JIS Reporter