CSJP Constructs Modern Multi-Purpose Centre In Waterhouse

Residents of  Waterhouse and surrounding communities in St. Andrew now have access to a $50.6 million, fully solarised multi-purpose centre.

The Citizen Security & Justice Programme III (CSJP III), in partnership with the Environmental Health Foundation (EHF), the Universal Service Fund (UAF) and the Waterhouse Community Development Committee (CDC) Benevolent Society, constructed and furbished the Waterhouse Community Multi-purpose Centre.

The centre will serve as a medium to provide additional CSJP services to the community, through its outreach activities, and also act as a resource centre for the community to further push its development agenda.

Speaking at the official opening of the centre at 10 Batra Road, on September 24, Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to partner with the community to create an  environment that encourages lawful behaviour.

“This is an excellent example of the type of partnership for development that we are seeking to build at the Ministry. The impact and value of this approach to fighting the epidemic of crime and violence is beginning to create a positive shift in the social norms in many of the 50 communities that we have targeted through CSJP,” Mr. Bunting highlighted.

The  Minister outlined that strong communities committed to lawfulness and good citizenship are essential in the Ministry’s efforts to reduce crime and violence in Jamaica.

“As we do our social intervention programmes, coupled with smart policing, we have to rely on our community partners to ultimately ensure our long term success,” Mr. Bunting said.

He also used the opportunity to express gratitude to all the international partners who support the CSJP projects, UK AID, IDB and the Government of Canada.

The EHF provided solar equipment and the USF outfitted the centre with a computer lab with Wi-Fi accessibility, while Flow Jamaica will be providing one year free internet service. It is envisaged that the centre will host a recording studio and a boxing ring in the near future.

The centre, which is powered by a 10-kilowatt grid tiled solar energy system, also has furnished classrooms, restrooms, kitchen and an administrative area.

CSJP III is a multi-faceted crime and violence prevention initiative, focusing on building community safety, security and reducing risk factors leading to crime and violence.