KINGSTON, Jamaica— The National Works Agency (NWA) and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) have been allocated a combined $1.3 billion to undertake a national clean-up programme ahead of the Emancipendence holidays.

Noting that the NWA has cleared all but 15 of 590 roads that were blocked in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said “the next task for the NWA is to clear waterlogged and flooded areas which means clearing drains and gullies and removing blockages and washed down debris to prevent future flooding”.

He was speaking Tuesday in the House of Representatives where he provided another update on the Government’s relief and recovery efforts.

He said the clean-up activities will be done in collaboration with the NSWMA that will be responsible for the removal of bulky waste, and with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in targeting areas that may be breeding sites for various vectors (mosquitoes, rats) of disease.

Holness had previously mentioned the $800 million allocated to the NWA.

“This J$800 million is a small part of the overall preliminary estimate from NWA for road infrastructure repair and rehabilitation of J$10.25 billion,” he said.

He explained that “this programme of work which will be executed over a one-month period will include extensive bulky waste and residential waste removal as a result of the hurricane, clean-up of thoroughfares and urban centres, and removal of overgrown vegetation as well as overgrown and fallen trees”.

“With the Emancipation and Independence holidays approaching, it is also a perfect opportunity for Jamaicans to become involved in this initiative by participating in the cleaning and beautification efforts,” the prime minister added.

Of the 590 roads that had been impacted by the hurricane, 15 or 2.5 per cent remain blocked. Another 372 or 63 per cent have been restored to full two-lane access, while 203 (34 per cent) have been cleared to single lane access.