KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government has approved a J$1.4 billion (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.08 cents) constituency-based mitigation and cleaning program.
Under the project, J$22 million will be allocated to each constituency to undertake minor civil works and public sanitation, which becomes necessary at the end of the hurricane season in November and coincident with Christmas.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a statement to Parliament detailing the likely impact of potential Tropical Cyclone 22, said the program will implement targeted interventions such as the reopening of blocked roads, cleaning of critical drains that are now heavily silted, patching of main thoroughfares that have been scoured, construction of new structures such as retaining walls, and river training as funds become available.
He said that letters have already been sent to all Members of Parliament (MPs) explaining how the program would work with the Prime Minister, indicating that J$10 million has been earmarked for road rehabilitation.
“No reallocation is permitted from this category. However, a maximum of $5 million may be transferred from other areas to road rehabilitation, allowing for a total maximum utilization of up to $15 million,” Holness said, adding that a total of six million dollars has been allocated towards de-bushing and up to three million dollars from this provision may be reallocated to other areas.
“A minimum of three million dollars must be dedicated to de-bushing, and a maximum of $2 million may be transferred from other areas to de-bushing, allowing for a maximum of $8 million permissible for this purpose.
“This flexibility in reallocation is in recognition of the variation between urban and rural constituencies in terms of what is required de-bushing,” Prime Minister Holness said, adding that funds had also been allocated for drain cleaning and garbage collection with the program being implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA) and National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
“I have directed the NWA to collaborate with all relevant entities, including Municipal Corporations, to conclude detailed designs and final estimates for any substantial repairs. I anticipate that work will begin as early as possible and continue into the festive season,” Holness stated.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved a J$330-million particular housing-related response program to assist persons in undertaking minor house repairs.
“The idea behind this is to target those households that are vulnerable to weather, particularly leaking roofs or compromised wooden structures, to assist with replacing compromised zinc sheets, windows or ply sidings,” he said.
“This program is not designed to build or rebuild a new house. It is minimal housing grants/assistance,” said Holness, noting each constituency will be allocated five million dollars.
He urged legislators to utilize the funds to assist as many households as possible, targeting 100 households per constituency.
“This program will be administered through the Ministry of Housing. We are going through the Ministry of Housing because there has to be some amount of inspection… verification of need, and the entity that has the staffing for that is the Ministry of Housing,” Holness said.
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