Gov’t Allocates $4b for Major Gully Repairs in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. James

The Government has allocated $4 billion to rehabilitate the Sandy Gully and other major infrastructure in Kingston and St. Andrew, as well as the North and South Gullies in St. James.

This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, during a tour of Sandy Gully on Wednesday (October 22).

The Minister noted that the multibillion-dollar rehabilitation initiative is currently undergoing review within the Public Investment Management System (PIMS), which evaluates major capital projects.

The funds allocated for Sandy Gully will address long-standing structural issues, including deterioration of the invert and side walls along the primary water conveyance channel.

“There are other sections of the gully that span different constituencies… that are seeing the undermining of the gully and the collapsing of the gully wall. We’re very much aware of these issues,” Minister Morgan stated, noting that the National Works Agency (NWA) has conducted a comprehensive assessment of the gully.

He pointed out that the Sandy Gully, which spans over 100 kilometres and serves multiple communities, frequently experiences silt and debris accumulation near the terminus of the channel.

“The sad thing is that, over the years, we have not had the resources to properly clean the gully, which is why we have allocated about several billion dollars to ensure that that happens… not only cleaning it but also fixing the invert and fixing the sidewalls,” Mr. Morgan stated.

Communication and Customer Services Manager at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, noted that the lower section of the Sandy Gully will require special attention to ensure proper rehabilitation of the waterway.

During Wednesday’s site visit, as the NWA undertook desilting operations in anticipation of Tropical Storm Melissa, Minister Morgan underscored the vulnerability of the Sandy Gully Bridge – a critical link for motorists and pedestrians accessing Kingston.

“We were very aware of the risk to the bridge, which is why we have to find emergency funding to ensure that the water and the debris can move under the bridge. Because if this bridge goes, then it’s going to be a significant challenge to us, not just in terms of people traversing to and from Kingston or even to the ports but also the economic damage that it will cause to the country,” he stated.

Mr. Morgan noted that, in addition to the major capital project, remedial works will be undertaken in the most vulnerable sections of the Sandy Gully currently facing structural threats.

Jamaica is currently under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning as Tropical Storm Melissa advances across the Caribbean Sea.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, with hurricane conditions likely within 48 hours.