Work commences under gov'ts Urban Renewal Programme

Phase one of the Urban Renewal and Development Programme is now under way across the island.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness told JIS News that the initiative serves a dual purpose of improving the urban environment, as well as the living conditions of citizens.

“The Government of Jamaica last year made an allocation per constituency of approximately between $2 to $4 million to do urban renewal projects… So right across Jamaica, I expect that Members of Parliament are doing similar programmes,” he said.

The Prime Minister was conducting a tour of Morgans Place in Olympic Way, located in the constituency of West Central St Andrew, on March 28 where work is now under way.

“What I have decided to do in my constituency is to concentrate on one of the five or six informal settlements that we have to help to improve not just the aesthetics, but also the functionality of the space that the residents occupy,” he informed.

Holness said the Government will seek to assist in formalising an area, where over 50 citizens reside.

“These houses are really good structures [and] people have invested their savings into them. They are ambitious people who are trying to improve the quality of their lives and the role of Government now is to assist that natural ambition in helping with infrastructure, sewage and water, and helping with the aesthetics just to improve and beautify and helping with access and functionality of the communities,” he explained.

Noting that some of the dwellings are “below accepted standards”, the Prime Minister said the Government will be seeking to secure improved living conditions through the Social Housing Programme.

“We also have a duty to assist with regularisation from a legal standpoint, that is to get them titled and having them establish ownership over the land because they have been here, many of them over 50 years and that process is going to be very difficult. As to the level of development of the community, it is going to be difficult to knock down walls and cut new roads, so we have to build around and regularise around what is there,” Holness stated.

He said that his next step will be to have the community surveyed “and to see how best we can establish lines and boundaries within the community”.

Under the programme, projects to be undertaken must focus on infrastructure, which includes zinc fence removal and replacement with approved materials, paving of sidewalks and pathways, upgrading of parks and creation of pocket parks or mini parks, as well as installation and replacement of street signs.

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