KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby has announced the formation of an Advisory Committee for the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

According to Swaby, the new committee is not intended to replace the Local Public Accounts Committee (LPAC) but is instead a proactive initiative to promote accountability, transparency and ethical leadership within the municipality.

The selection process involved recommendations from various organisations, including the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Citizens’ Right to the City and the Jamaica Small Business Association.

Swaby confirmed that ten members have been appointed, including a chairman and vice chairman, with an additional representative from the community expected after discussions with the Social Development Commission (SDC).

“We have announced ten members today (Wednesday), including the chairman and the vice chairman,” Swaby said. “In discussions with the SDC, we will be having another person from the community stream—that’s the language they use—and I have asked the chairman to engage the SDC for such an appointment.”

When asked about the significance of this committee, Swaby underscored its importance in ensuring that KSAMC meets its legal obligations. However, he noted that the reason such a committee had not been established since 2016 was due to the presence of the Party Development Committee (PDC), which falls under the SDC’s mandate.

“The reason why we have not had any [committee] is because there’s a committee by the name of PDC, Party Development Committee, that comes from the community,” he explained. “The SDC has a mandate for that, and they have said they are doing an audit of all their committees to make sure they have legitimate committees.”

Until the SDC completes its audit and the PDC is in place, the advisory committee will serve as an interim body.

Swaby was unable to provide a definitive timeline for how long the Advisory Committee will function.

“I can’t speak to the duration because how long does the SDC take to come to speed?” he questioned. “I would hope that… I know they are far advanced, but the pace, I don’t know.”

The Advisory Committee will oversee various aspects of KSAMC’s operations, including financial matters, service standards and public obligations.

“It will be looking at all aspects—look at our financial things, look at the service standards, and look at what are some of our obligations to the public,” Swaby said. “For example, we should have a yearly discussion of our budget with the citizens of Kingston and St Andrew.”

The committee will also play an advisory role in relation to audits. “If the Auditor General flags anything, they will come in and give advice,” Swaby added.

With the formation of this committee, KSAMC aims to strengthen oversight and governance while awaiting the SDC’s review of its community-based structures.

It follows allegations of misappropriation of public funds and calls for Swaby’s resignation.

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Swaby has vehemently denied the allegations.

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