Drainage Improvements Planned for Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth
By: , October 11, 2026
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), greets a vendor as he tours the Santa Cruz Market in St. Elizabeth on Friday (October 9). He is accompanied by Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Dwight Wilson (second right).
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (third left), engages members of his team as they assess a section of roadway that has broken away on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, during a tour of the parish on Friday (October 9).
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), assesses the condition of the main road in Top Burnt Ground, St. Elizabeth, on Friday (October 9), where plans are being considered for the construction of a retaining wall to improve road stability and safety. He is joined by (from second left) Councillor for the Santa Cruz Division, Christopher Williams; Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Dwight Wilson; and Superintendent of Roads and Works at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Kenneth Brown.The Full Story
The Government is set to undertake drainage improvement works in sections of Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, as part of efforts to reduce flood risks and safeguard livelihoods following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last October.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, gave this assurance during a tour of communities in and around Santa Cruz on Friday (October 9), where he assessed recovery efforts and infrastructure needs.
“One of the things that we are going to be doing is to work closely with the National Works Agency (NWA) around the drainage situation in sections of Santa Cruz. I am proposing to engage in further discussions on that, because it is important that some serious attention be given to the drainage problem within the area, because this area carries a lot of water,” Mr. McKenzie stated.
The Minister also visited the Santa Cruz Market, where he noted improvements to Market Street, which had previously been in a state of disrepair, making it difficult for motorists to navigate.
He said road-expansion and paving works had improved traffic flow and helped relocate vendors from the roadway, making the area more accessible to shoppers and businesses.
Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie advised that additional work is needed at the market and assured that the Government would honour its commitment to carrying out further improvements.
He urged vendors to protect the facility, which attracts traders from across Jamaica and serves as a major commercial centre for the parish.
Mr. McKenzie said St. Elizabeth is among the parishes receiving attention as the Government continues to review recovery priorities, with further visits to Westmoreland and Trelawny planned in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Solomon, expressed gratitude to the Minister for providing resources for the rehabilitation of Market Street.
He indicated that the Corporation collaborated with the National Water Commission (NWC) to install pipelines before completing the roadworks, thereby eliminating the need to excavate the roadway at a later date.
Mr. McKenzie commended the Municipal Corporation for the progress made despite the challenges facing the parish and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting recovery efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.
The tour also took the team to New River, Top Burnt Ground, Lower Prosper, Seven Corners and Waterloo, where Mr. McKenzie assessed conditions and identified outstanding needs.
