KINGSTON, Jamaica—Major work is underway to correct sewage spills, leaks and overflows that have plagued the Central Kingston constituency for an extended period according to Member of Parliament (MP) Donovan Williams.

Stating that the problem has persisted for “far too long”, Williams, said he was “pleased to report that we have begun to tackle the problem”.

He was speaking in the House of Representatives on October 13 during his contribution to the 2026/27 State of the Constituency Debate. He said the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change has embarked on a major sewer line replacement project across the constituency, “and we are already reaping the benefits”.

To date, major sewer line works have been undertaken in several areas, including Sutton Street, in the vicinity of Calabar Primary and Infant School; Wild Street in Allman Town; Blake Road; Lower Text Lane; corner of Rum Lane and East Queen Street; Rosemary Lane and Barry Street; Lower George’s Lane in Parade Gardens; Potters Row in the Rae Town community; and Cumberland Avenue in Franklyn Town.

Williams said works will commence soon on Smith Lane in the Rose Gardens community and Maiden Lane in Parade Gardens.

“The sewage line replacement project will result in a significant improvement in the sewage infrastructure of Central Kingston. Our ultimate goal is to create a constituency where residents no longer have to endure the inconvenience, indignity and health risks associated with recurring sewage spills and overflows,” said Williams.

He added that, “While we celebrate the progress made, we must also acknowledge that challenges remain in some communities”. He pointed to the situation along John Street in the Rae Town community, in the vicinity of the fishing village which he said has received the attention from the National Water Commission.

“They have visited the location on several occasions, and I am advised that they are having internal discussions and the solution will require extensive infrastructure work to the pumping station located in that area. Our commitment is to ensure that the sewer improvements across Central Kingston reach every community and so we invite patience as the works continue,” said Williams.

On the matter of waste disposal, he told the Parliament that when he was first elected MP in 2020, “almost every road and every corner in Central Kingston was a dumpsite.

“Today, I can confidentially say that we have made significant strides in combating the improper disposal of solid and bulk waste”.

Williams said that through partnership with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the Tourism Product Development Company, “we have been able to clean up and spruce up some of these areas”. He lauded the NSWMA for significantly improving its garbage collection efforts throughout the constituency.

While stating that no one can deny the progress that has been made, he admitted that “we still face challenges in certain areas.

“We still have a way to go in addressing deeply entrenched cultural habits and encouraging lasting behavioural change”.

On the matter or urban renewal, the two-term MP acknowledged that the removal of zinc fences and their replacement with concrete structures, in and of itself, will not achieve full urban renewal. “However, it is an indispensable component of the broader urban renewal thrust and must be pursued particularly in the context of inner-city communities,” he remarked.

He shared that work has commenced on the next phase of the Zinc Fence Removal Project with several locations across the constituency set to benefit. These are Fleet Street, Higholborn Street and Rosemary Lane in Parade Gardens; Wellington Street in Franklyn Town; Kensington Avenue in Kingston Gardens; and Water Street in the Allman Town community

-Lynford Simpson