JSIF to Remove Zinc Fences In Mount Salem
By: , June 2, 2018The Key Point:
The Facts
- Mr. Sweeney said JSIF is committed to the complete removal of zinc fences in vulnerable communities across the island as part of an overall strategy aimed at neighbourhood improvement.
- The law seeks to contain crime while safeguarding the human rights of residents and promote community development through social intervention initiatives.
The Full Story
Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, says some $27 million will be spent on the Mount Salem Zinc Fence Substitution Project to greatly improve the aesthetics of the St. James community.
He noted that the Government, through the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, is providing $26 million for the undertaking with contribution of $1 million from the community.
Mr. Sweeney, who was addressing a meeting at the Mount Salem Primary and Junior High School on Thursday (May 31), informed that 1,000 metres of corrugated zinc fences within the Mount Salem Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) will be removed and replaced with reinforced concrete walls.
He said that the project will be implemented over a nine-month period utilising the Community-based Contracting (CBC) methodology, which will see the Mount Salem Benevolent Society acting as project managers.
“This approach will help to strengthen community leadership and empower community members to have a stake in maintaining the infrastructure of their community,” he pointed out, noting that approximately 100 persons will benefit from employment.
He noted that upon completion, the project will have a positive impact on over 4,000 residents.
Mr. Sweeney said JSIF is committed to the complete removal of zinc fences in vulnerable communities across the island as part of an overall strategy aimed at neighbourhood improvement.
Beneficiaries of the programme include: Hannah Town, Denham Town, Rose Town, Greenwich Town and Maxfield Park in Kingston and St. Andrew; Canaan Heights and York Town in Clarendon, Steer Town in St. Ann; Barrett Town and Granville in St. James and Russia, Westmoreland.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, declared Mount Salem as the first ZOSO on September 1 under the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act.
The law seeks to contain crime while safeguarding the human rights of residents and promote community development through social intervention initiatives.