Emergency sewage works being done by the National Water Commission (NWC) in collaboration with the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSMAC) will begin on Monday, January 29 in the Coronation Market, downtown Kingston.

This was announced during a tour of the area by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, on Friday.

Samuda clarified that this emergency works is separate from last year’s works in surrounding areas that totaled approximately J$200 million.

“The works being done in the Coronation Market will begin on Chapel Lane and include other sections of market,” he said.

For his part, McKenzie said, “I have already advised the vendors who are in close proximity to the area and we will be putting out notices over the next couple of days that commencing Sunday right through until Wednesday no selling will be facilitated in this area, so that the NWC and KSMAC can carry out the necessary works that are required to deal with the situation”.

The minister added that “I can only appeal to the vendors because they are the ones that are complaining and we are responding, so I am satisfied with the outcome of the tour and looking forward to restoration once the work is completed”.

The NWC’s in-house team is expected to undertake the replacement of the existing 10-inch sewer main that connects a section of the Coronation Market to the trunk main along Beckford Street. This will remedy several points along the main that are suspected to have collapsed.

Also, KSMAC has in place a routine where the collection of organic garbage is done daily; the majority of which is carted away on a Sunday. This is expected to be done Sunday in preparation for the emergency works.

The ministers also visited a large leak on Sangster Crescent in the West Kingston constituency.

“West Kingston is one of the oldest residential communities in Jamaica specifically Tivoli and Denham Town. Because of that the infrastructure is aging and it is also inadequate,” Samuda stated.

He continued, “Now the government is designing a programme of work that will overhaul the infrastructure in West Kingston. However, while that design is done and while we go through the public investment process, which does take some time, the NWC and MEGJC are ensuring that the budget is in place to respond to emergencies until that public investment process for water overhaul in this area is complete. But we assure residents that when there are challenges they will see swift response”.

Samuda ended by thanking the NWC team for their prompt response to address the leak.