Kingston Harbourwalk consultancy deals signed as irrigation and recovery works advance

Contracts for the Kingston Harbourwalk project’s second consultancy — a feasibility study and detailed designs — were formalised on Wednesday by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, the Urban Development Corporation and a consulting team of City Forester, Felix Landscape Architects and Planners, and Aqua Anterra. The phase is costing US$3.4 million, funded by the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said the move is an important step in renewing Kingston and building a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Jamaica. He argued the country must not take a timid approach to the Harbourwalk and should instead embrace major infrastructure. UDC board chair Norman Brown said work under the agreement will include shoreline characterisation, hydrographic and urban development studies, stakeholder analysis, environmental and social impact assessments, climate risk and vulnerability reviews, engineering investigations and detailed design, along with cost estimates and technical documents to guide later investment. The UDC will oversee the 25-kilometre harbour walk from downtown Kingston to Port Royal in three phases: from the Marine Police Station to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade building, then to Harbour View, and finally to Port Royal.

In St Catherine, Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister Floyd Green on Tuesday launched the US$80 million Heartlands irrigation project. A mini pressurised system is expected to improve water access and climate resilience for 41 farmers within about three months, with longer-term plans to cover more than 400 acres of former sugar lands. The National Irrigation Commission is building the works with Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited. Green said farmers can no longer rely on rainfall alone and need irrigation for predictable, sustainable production.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management says it has moved into Data Protection Act compliance after Hurricane Melissa forced it to handle large volumes of personal data for storm relief. Director General Commander Alvin Gale said a data protection officer has been on staff since February, policies were developed through consultancy, staff were trained, and registration with the Office of the Information Commissioner as a data processor is being completed. On the government-directed roof repair programme, which ODPEM oversees strategically while the Jamaica Defence Force and partners implement works, Gale said 507 roofs were repaired in phase one. Stronger countersigning at delivery points and tighter warehousing oversight were introduced after Auditor General findings on documentation gaps. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security selects beneficiaries using a vulnerability matrix.

The Forestry Department has launched its first Urban Forest Run, a 5K whose proceeds will support Black River mangrove restoration in St Elizabeth and reforestation of the Silent Hill Forest Reserve, both damaged by Hurricane Melissa. Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda said the Constant Spring event is also meant to spur public involvement in rebuilding forest cover and quality.

Twenty-six students from St Catherine primary schools received bursaries totalling $390,000 from the Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment Foundation. Founder Pauline Gregory Lewis presented the awards at the Social Development Commission parish office in Spanish Town to pupils from St John’s, Old Harbour, Orangefield, Davis, Kitentown and Macaulay who scored at least 75 per cent in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile exams.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reminds the public that Emancipation Day on Saturday, 1 August, will be observed on that date, Independence Day on Thursday, 6 August, and Friday, 7 August will be a normal working day.