Govt to Invest $1 Billion on Development Projects in West Kingston

The Government is to invest close to $1 billion on development projects in the Denham Town, Hannah Town and Tivoli Gardens communities in western Kingston.

This is under the Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP), which is being undertaken through a loan of $4.8 billion (US$42 million) from the World Bank.

Being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the five-year project aims to promote public safety and transformation through the delivery of basic infrastructure and social services in 18 communities across the island.

It further seeks to elevate educational outcomes, as well as improve sanitary conveniences and security.

Speaking at the launch at the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre on April 23, Managing Director at JSIF, Omar Sweeney, noted that ICDP will address critical needs.

“This will see close to $1 billion being invested in this community. We expect to meet communities where they are, whether it is utilities, educational services or parenting support. I am here to say to you that we are here and we will be coming where you are,” Mr. Sweeney said.

He also encouraged the community members to participate fully in all the initiatives that will take place under the programme.

“I look forward to working with you over the next four to five years …and to talk about the specifics of the programme and I look forward to your comments and feedback and I look forward to you supporting all our partners that will help us in this endeavour,” Mr. Sweeney said.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, noted that as part of the ICDP, houses will be properly wired to allow for regularisation of electricity.

“There are 2000 homes that we are targeting and we are going to do a number of things. First, we are going to deal with the issue of the wiring of the houses because, apart from the fact that the houses won’t be passed by the Government inspector, we don’t want you to stay in a house where you steal light and it is not safe. So, part of this project is to wire homes,” he said.

Mr. Robinsons informed that focus will also be placed on educating the communities on energy conservation.

“We are also looking at the installation of prepaid metres. We don’t want you to run up a $50,000 bill and then you can’t pay it and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has to cut (the electricity). So, you will have a prepaid metre where you can add as you go along, and you will have an opportunity to manage your electricity (usage),” he said. Persons will also be trained in electrical installation.

Member of Parliament for West Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, welcomed the programme, noting that the initiatives to be undertaken will improve the lives of the people of the constituency.

“We are going to ensure that we utilise the funds to the best of our ability and the communities will have to display that discipline, because the success of this programme is predicated on how we, in West Kingston, respond to the programme,” Mr. McKenzie said.

The ICDP will also see the creation of recreational spaces and community parks as well as a partnership with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to clean-up and beautify the local environment. Environmental wardens will be trained and employed to assist in the clean up process.

The programme will also include interventions to reduce violence, such as mediation and counselling services and trauma response; the training of community mediators; and the creation of mobile mediation posts in addition to violence prevention programmes in schools.

Some of the major partners include the Ministries of National Security, Health and Education as well as the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), NSWMA, HEART/Trust NTA and the Social Development Commission (SDC). The project is scheduled to end in 2020.