Three Major Projects Highlight Labour Day Activities for KSAMC

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) marked Labour Day on Monday (May 25) with three major projects, highlighting the theme: ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safer Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goal of Agenda 2063’.

The project sites were Franklin Town Primary School in the Allman Town Division, the St. William Grant Monument in the Brandon Hill Division, and Liberty Hall in downtown Kingston.

The scope of works at Franklin Town Primary included repairs to the male and female bathroom facilities, drainage improvements, general painting — including the pedestrian crossing — and overall cleaning of the school environment.

Work undertaken around the St. William Grant Monument included installation of a storyboard illustrating the life and work of the Pan-Africanist, general cleaning of Brandon Hill Square, and repairs to a water storage facility in the community.

At Liberty Hall, work included repairs to the entrance and improvement of a major drain on the property.

All three projects were unified by the broader theme of Africa Day, which focused on water sanitation and water harvesting. This year’s Labour Day observance was designed to incorporate the global celebration of Africa Day on May 25.

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, told JIS News that the projects were selected in honour of Jamaican Pan-Africanists — National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, and St. William Grant.

“Because we had Labour Day and Africa Day in one, we looked at both themes to see how best we could merge them,” he said, noting that Mr. Garvey represented the Allman Town Division in the Council.

Councillor Swaby noted that the Labour Day projects also tied into the KSAMC’s ‘Cleaner Kingston’ initiative, while promoting community volunteerism.

“Aside from these three projects, every Councillor was given an allocation… and we had other activities in these divisions. We registered approximately 120 projects in Kingston and St. Andrew under the larger mandate of improving community facilities,” he said.

Councillor for the Allman Town Division, Charmaine Daniels said, “We are grateful that the spirit of volunteerism is alive. Community Development is rewarding and when we partner together, we accomplish so much.”

Meanwhile, President of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and African Communities League, Stephen Golding, said the focus serves as a welcome reminder of the deep ties Jamaica shares with its African heritage.

“This is the theme of Africa Day, as generated by the African Union this year. We have to understand that, even though we are Jamaicans, we are also African… and it is good to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters,” he stated.