GOJ and IBRD Undertake New Agreement for Inner City Basic Services Project

The Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) have entered into a new arrangement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), to fund the Inner City Basic Services Project (ICBSP).
Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan who was speaking at yesterday’s (July 2), weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House explained that under this new agreement the IBRD will provide a US$29.30 million loan to fund the project, while the government will contribute a further US$3.5 million to the project.
Mr. Buchanan said the project is expected to benefit some 13,300 residents from the more vulnerable communities across the parishes of St. Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, and St. James.
The objectives of the Inner City Basic Services Project are to improve access in targeted poor inner-city communities to basic services including reliable potable water, sanitation, solid waste management, road infrastructure, and related community-based services.
According to information made available by the JSIF, the project will also seek to reduce the incidence of crime and violence and to strengthen community capacity to develop, manage and maintain basic infrastructure.
To achieve these objectives, the project will upgrade and improve water supply distribution systems, sanitation, solid waste collection systems, regularization of electricity, street lighting, drainage, secondary and tertiary roads, and construction of community multi-purpose and recreational facilities.
Additionally, through partnership with existing micro-financing entities, the JSIF will facilitate access to micro-financing for community members wishing to engage in economic ventures or to expand existing businesses. At a later stage, this component will also provide funding for incremental home improvement for residents.
The objectives of the project will also be accomplished through the enhancement of public safety through mediation and conflict resolution, vocational and skills training, job placement, youth programmes and family support programmes including parenting, life skills, drug-abuse and domestic violence prevention.
The Inner City Basic Services Project is scheduled for completion by 2011.