Communities to receive infrastructure upgrades

The communities of Banks in Clarendon and Cheswick in St Thomas will benefit from infrastructure upgrades at a cost of approximately $450 million.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie said that the two communities are being targeted for works under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in financial year 2023-24.

He was speaking during a recent tour of Banks, where he saw at firsthand some of the areas identified for improvement and met with community members and representatives of entities that will be carrying out the upgrades.Works to be undertaken include rehabilitation of roads, drains, electricity and water systems, the building of a community centre, improvements to the Banks Basic School, and provision of indigent housing. McKenzie said that details of the scope of works will be outlined in his upcoming Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives.

Principal of Banks Basic School Anscha Guy-Griffiths told JIS News that the discussions for works to be done include renovating the boys' bathroom, roof repairs, and installing perimeter fencing and a rainwater-harvesting system. The ministry is spearheading the RDP, which is aimed at upgrading and bringing new life to rural communities across the island.

The programme was officially launched in the pilot community of Chambers Pen, Hanover, last June.