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More Funds Donated to Restore May Pen Cemetery

March 25, 2004

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The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has donated $5 million towards the May Pen Cemetery Restoration Fund.Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie, commended the entity for its continued support of the improvement drive. He was speaking on Wednesday (March 24) at the bank’s headquarters on Trafalgar Road in Kingston.
He noted that the donation would go a “far way” toward the restoration effort, which was estimated at $40 million.
The Mayor said in spearheading the initiative and trying to garner the support of corporate Jamaica and nationals abroad, the intention was to restore the facility to its former glory.
He noted that the cemetery, in its present state, could only be classified as a “national disgrace” despite the fact that it was the largest public cemetery in the English-speaking Caribbean, the only such public cemetery in the capital and was still the most inexpensive burial facility in the island.
Mayor McKenzie noted that following his recent participation in a United States radio programme where he appealed to Jamaican nationals in the tri-state area for support, many persons have been sending donations.
Furthermore, Life of Jamaica has committed $1 million while YP Seaton and Associates will supply all the sand and gravel required; Tools Hardware and Supplies Limited will supply all bathroom and toilet fixtures, Brighton Engineering Limited will supply all electrical repairs and fixtures. In addition Tankweld Jamaica Limited has donated $150,000 worth of steel and Asphalted Concrete and General Roads Paving Company has donated 180 tonnes of asphalt. More recently the Canadian High Commission has committed to providing funds for the drive.
He further divulged that in April, he would be attending a function in Fort Lauderdale where the Jamaican community would be hosting an event to support the rehabilitation drive.
Mayor McKenzie assured that all cash or kind donated for the rehabilitation of the cemetery would be used accordingly. He noted that the KSAC had solicited the help of the Auditor General to monitor all contributions received for the restoration of the facility.
Chairman of NCB, Michael Lee-Chin, in his remarks said the bank’s definitive purpose was to play its part in building a better Jamaica and “help by leading by example,” the contribution to the upgrading of the cemetery being just one of several such leading roles, among them a $150 million Jamaica Education initiative and the construction of a convalescence home in Black River, St. Elizabeth for police officers who got injured on the job.
The National Commercial Bank has further committed to open an account at its branch located at the corner of Duke and Barry streets downtown Kingston. Persons wishing to contribute can do so at any branch of the NCB across the island to account number 101008037.

Last Updated: March 25, 2004

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