Marcus Garvey drive adopted for beautification

National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Sampars Cash & Carry and the Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) signed a 2-year contract to landscape, beautify and maintain a section of Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston, Monday (March 7).

The project costs $4.17 million, of which approximately $1 million is start up capital. The remaining funds will be allocated over a 2-year period for project maintenance, with $1.6 million to be spent in the first year and the remaining $1.4 million in the second year.

Executive Director of the NSWMA, Joan Gordon Webley, said work will begin at the intersection of the Portia Simpson Miller Square, continue in a southerly direction along Marcus Garvey Drive and end at the Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC), Darling Street.

“We are going to be maintaining it for two full years, and I am sure that after that we are going to maintain it for many ‘twos’ after that and so we are extremely happy,” Mrs. Gordon Webley told a press briefing Monday at the NSWMA office, Half Way Tree Road, Kingston.

The NSWMA, through its Parks and Gardens Division, will employ workers, provide plants and materials and carry out repairs and maintenance work over the 2-year period.

Chairman and Managing Director of Sampars Cash & Carry, Derrick Cottrell, noted that the company was “very happy” to be involved in the initiative.

“We are also the first private sector company to be involved and we are very happy to be the pioneers. I would want to encourage my private sector colleagues to get involved,” Mr. Cottrell said.   

The project falls under the Adopt-A-Roadway Programme, and offers corporate entities the opportunity to participate in the national beautification effort, islandwide. By identifying and pledging to sponsor specified areas for landscaping and regular maintenance, corporate entities can show support for initiatives to maintain a cleaner and more beautiful environment.

Companies wishing to participate in the Adopt–A-Roadway programme can contact the NSWMA at 926-3988/8559 for further information.

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON