KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant infrastructure development, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has committed J$220 million to comprehensive road rehabilitation projects across all 40 divisions of the municipality. Mayor Andrew Swaby confirmed the funding, which originates from the Parochial Revenue Fund and is being administered through the Divisional Allocation Fund.
The ambitious program directly addresses longstanding resident complaints regarding potholes, damaged surfaces, and generally deteriorating road conditions. While the substantial allocation will enable essential repairs through patching, resurfacing, and critical section rehabilitation, Mayor Swaby acknowledged financial limitations. “We recognize that these resources, though considerable, cannot address every parochial road under our jurisdiction,” he stated, emphasizing the corporation’s adherence to strict procurement guidelines to ensure compliance and fiscal responsibility.
Concurrently, the KSAMC has initiated advanced preparations for the 2026 Jamaica Carnival season. An organizational meeting convened on January 27 brought together band leaders and J’ouvert promoters to evaluate previous season challenges and develop solutions for enhancing the Kingston carnival experience. All participating bands have committed to providing production teams that will collaborate closely with the City Engineering Department to ensure structural safety for event patrons.
The Engineering Department will conduct specialized workshops to guide production teams through the approval process and ensure full regulatory compliance. The KSAMC will additionally coordinate with organizers of watch parties and related events to guarantee timely submission of applications, with a firm deadline set for March 6, 2026. The National Solid Waste Management Authority has been incorporated as a key committee member to ensure efficient post-event cleanup following the April 12 Road March.
In a separate regulatory initiative, Mayor Swaby urged business operators to comply with the KSAMC’s signage regularization campaign ahead of its March deadline. Since its January launch, 98 businesses have received formal invoices, while the corporation has engaged in consultations with major business representatives including the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Jamaica. Quarterly meetings with outdoor advertising companies have been established to address concerns and clarify regulatory requirements.
Despite operating without a dedicated advertising budget, the KSAMC has implemented extensive public awareness efforts through radio, social media, official websites, and traditional media outlets. “Claims of insufficient awareness cannot justify non-compliance,” Swaby asserted, reminding stakeholders that signage display falls under the Town and Country Planning Regulations of 1978 and the Kingston and St Andrew Building Act of 2018. While a temporary amnesty period is in effect, the mayor emphasized that signs failing to meet stipulated standards will not receive approval, applying equally to commercial and non-commercial public signage.