Kingston Mayor Swaby Lifts Divisional Allocations to $13 Million and Rebukes JLP Councillors Over KSAMC Absences

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby has raised the annual divisional allocation for councillors and taken several Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) representatives to task over what he described as poor attendance at meetings of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

Speaking at the annual Vineyard Town Divisional Conference on Friday at Excelsior Community College, Swaby said each division will receive $13 million in the current financial year, up from $10 million previously. He emphasised that the added funding is meant specifically for road repairs.

"Each division will receive an allocation of $13 million, up from $10 million. It's nothing that the councillor gets in his or her hand and it's not just to give away. It has to deal with roads, Christmas work, mitigation and other community needs," he said.

Swaby noted that councillors must consult their communities before deciding how the money is used, and said the increase was approved only to address road infrastructure.

The mayor also addressed claims that the new figure still falls short of pledges he made while serving as Minority Leader at the KSAMC. He argued that his administration first had to tackle major financial obligations left behind by the previous JLP administration.

Swaby said unpaid bills remained on the books, including roughly $164 million in retention payments, which limited how soon the allocation could be raised.

"I could have increased the divisional allocation fund, but I had to settle the thing. Even though it is not fully settled, I now have a little room that I can wiggle with, so we talked about an increase," he said.

He also accused one JLP councillor of backing the increase during council deliberations, then criticising it publicly afterward in what he believes was a move for political advantage.

Swaby used the occasion to defend his administration's record, describing it as among the most transparent in KSAMC history. He said contracts are published on the corporation's website, audit reports are shared with an advisory committee, and a panel has been set up to review the development approval process.

The mayor further raised concern that several JLP councillors have not been showing up for council and committee meetings, arguing that their absence is slowing municipal work.

Swaby also faulted the previous administration for failing to answer questions raised in council, noting that some queries dating back to 2017 remain unanswered. He pledged that his administration would continue responding to questions in a timely manner.

He said the People's National Party-led administration has prioritised transparency, public engagement, bipartisan cooperation and collaboration with government agencies to strengthen governance at the KSAMC.