McKenzie

The Government has been accused of diverting funds earmarked for the redevelopment of downtown Kingston to other projects and, as a result, stalling the start of major projects critical to the capital's hosting of Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.

Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, made the allegation yesterday after describing the state of unpreparedness of the city to host this major international event.

Call for probe

Addressing yesterday's Rotary Club of downtown Kingston luncheon, Mayor McKenzie said he would be asking the Office of the Contractor General to investigate the matter.

But Patrick Wong, chief executive officer of the Kingston City Centre Improvement Company (KCCIC), the agency formed to spearhead the redevelopment of the capital, has denied the claim that there was no funding available to implement projects for CWC 2007.

Mr. McKenzie said that, among the projects yet to begin was the construction of the transportation centre, which would have helped to prevent chaotic traffic during the hosting of the event.

But Mr. Wong told The Gleaner yesterday that Cabinet had approved the funding for the projects and that he would be meeting with the Finance Ministry next Tuesday to find out when the entity would be receiving the funds.

"The Mayor is anxious but so are we but he has kind of jumped the gun," he said. "He has made definitive statement, which is not correct."