Several communities within the constituency of St Andrew Eastern are to benefit from the creation of green spaces for residents to engage in recreational and other activities.

The communities are August Town, Hermitage, African Gardens and Goldsmith Villa.

Member of Parliament for the constituency, Fayval Williams, made the announcement during her recent contribution to the 2022/23 State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives.

“The project will benefit approximately 10,920 residents… and will cost $10 million,” Williams shared. She said the project represents the continuation of the build phase of the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) that is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.

August Town is one of seven ZOSOs in place across the island. The special security measure is credited with bringing relative calm and a sense of security in the communities in which they are imposed. They are implemented in three phases – clear, hold and build.

Williams explained that the design of the green spaces will include small parks, gardens, roadside greenery and vegetation barriers. Fencing will also be installed at selected spaces. She said the upgrading should also improve the community’s general environment and aesthetics.

In the meantime, Williams said major road construction has been done and water infrastructure expanded under the build phase of the ZOSO in August Town, and Goldsmith Villa.

“The build phase started in earnest in February 2022 and the total amount that has been spent over the time is about $202 million to rehabilitate roadways, put in the associated drain channels and installation of approximately 1.365 kilometres of water lines and laterals in African Gardens [and] Goldsmith Villa,” the member of Parliament said.