KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Government has approved a contract of over $70 million for a clean up project in Tivoli Gardens.

The contract worth $70 million, will cover work to demolish and reconstruct sanitation blocks and connect them to the existing system.

"There is an urgent need to address the poor conditions under which residents live as due to the run off from the existing facilities," said Information Minister Sandrea Falconer, "They have had to suffer with persistent bad odour and unhygenic conditions."

The project is being funded through a grant from the Caribbean Development Bank, which is supporting the implementation of projects under the basic needs trust fund.

Cabinet approved several other projects as well, including a contract to fund phase two of upgrades to the infrastructure in the March Pen community in St Catherine.

This project, worth over $74 million, was awarded to Construction Solutions Limited.

Falconer said roadways will be rehabilitated, fire hydrants will be put in place and pipelines will be laid. Funding for this project will be coming from the World Bank, which supports the Inner City Basic Services project.