Significant work was carried out by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development during 2018 to improve service delivery to Jamaicans.
Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB)
• The JFB acquired six new emergency response vehicles valued at $385 million. The units included two firefighting boats, fire trucks; and two pumper tankers. A total of $189 million was allocated in the 2018/19 budget to purchase more fire trucks.
• Renovations were carried out at York Park Fire Station, downtown Kingston.
• Tender documents was received for construction of the $475 million fire station at Barnett Street, Montego Bay.
• $15 million was allocated to construct additional living quarters at the May Pen Fire Station in Clarendon for female firefighters.
• 106 new recruits joined the JFB.
• The first cohort of 150 persons graduated from a special volunteer intro-ductory firefighting training course – a collaboration between the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and Government of Japan.
Upgrading of Markets,Municipal Corporations/ and Transport Centres
• $150 million was allocated to repair markets islandwide.
• $56 million contract was signed to build new market in Port Maria, St. Mary.
• Work was advanced on the new $190 million Portmore Municipal building in Gregory Park, St. Catherine.
• 80 per cent completion of Westmoreland Municipal Corporation $60 million building.
• New Clark’s Town Transport Centre in Trelawny was officially opened.
National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA)
• NSWMA carried out a $60 million clean-up drive to remove bulky waste in major towns.
• The agency acquired three new garbage trucks valued approximately $74.7 million.
• A solid waste transfer station was built in Daniel Town, Trelawny.
Streetlights
• Government cleared its debt owed to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) for street lights.
Road Repairs/Drain Cleaning
• $70 million spent to carry out major drain cleaning across Kingston and St. Andrew.
• $50 million allocated for islandwide clean-up programme to minimise flooding.