A Flankers taxi driver making his way along damaged roads in the community last year. - FILE
THE JAMAICA Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is set to inject nearly $2 billion into 12 inner-city communities across the island.
The project will be conducted under the Inner City Basic Services Project ( ICBSP)t to improve the quality of life in these communities.
Government obtained funds from the World Bank to finance the project and an additional $167.4 million is to be procured for it to be carried out.
The 12 communities slated to benefit were selected through a prioritisation exercise that took into consideration the levels of basic services in these areas, strength of community organisations and levels of crime and violence.
UPGRADE WATER SUPPLY
Among them are Flankers, St. James; Bucknor in Clarendon; the communities of Central Village, Tawes Pen, Africa, Shelter Rock, Lauriston and Knollis in St. Catherine; Jones Town, Federal Gardens, Whitfield Town and Dunkirk in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew.
The project will upgrade water supply distribution systems, sanitation and solid waste collection systems. It will also aim to regularise electricity, street lighting; improve drainage, secondary and tertiary roads, and construct community multipurpose and recreational facilities.
Through partnership with existing micro-finance entities, the ICBSP will also facilitate access to micro-finance for community members who want to start or expand existing businesses. At a later stage this component will also provide funding for incremental home improvement for residents.
To ensure its interventions will be sustainable, the ICBSP has signed a memorandum of understanding with key service providers such as the National Water Commission, the National Solid Waste Management Authority and at least three parish councils. Similar agreements are to be signed with other stakeholders and with communities outlining the obligations and responsibilities of the parties.
