KSAC reports revised damage estimates at $3.3 billion

Chairman of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), Mayor Desmond McKenzie, says estimates of the damage to the Corporate Area roads and other infrastructure caused by recent heavy rains, have been revised to over $3.3 billion.
Speaking at the KSAC’s monthly meeting at the Council’s offices, Church Street, downtown Kingston, last week, he said damaged infrastructure include several facilities operated by that body.
Mayor McKenzie, who is also a Government Senator, pointed out that while the Council has been “getting some assistance” in terms of initiating repairs and rehabilitation where possible, the KSAC’s capacity to respond to the varying challenges posed by the recent weather systems impacting the island, has been limited.
Senator McKenzie commended the staff and Councillors for what he described as the high level of leadership and commitment shown in initiating the necessary responses and actions during the passage of Tropical Storm Nicole, the threat posed by Hurricane Tomas, and the effects of other severe weather systems.
He noted that Councillors displayed a level of pro-activity which saw them mobilising activities in their divisions to ensure that the “limited” resources that the Council was able to allocate, were maximised to protect life and property.
The Mayor also commended staff of the KSAC, who demonstrated unquestionable commitment in ensuring that the Council’s emergency centre was adequately manned and able to respond to the needs of persons accessing its services.
“I looked at the KSAC’s staff during this period and I said to myself that, despite the challenges we faced, monetary challenges, challenges in terms of having the right kind of facility to deliver the job based on their performance, we can boast that we have some of the finest set of staff in the local government system anywhere in Jamaica,” Senator McKenzie said.