Kingston Harbourwalk Design Contracts Signed as Irrigation and Forest Recovery Projects Advance

Contracts for the Kingston Harbourwalk’s second consultancy — covering a feasibility study and detailed designs — were signed on Wednesday by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and a consulting consortium of City Forester, Felix Landscape Architects and Planners, and Aqua and Terra. The phase is valued at US$3.4 million and is financed by the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said the agreement is a significant move in renewing Kingston and advancing a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Jamaica. He urged the country to pursue large-scale infrastructure rather than timid, low-ambition steps, arguing that Jamaica must overcome a long reluctance to build boldly.

UDC board chair Norman Brown said work under the pact over the coming months 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. Cost estimates and technical papers will also be prepared to guide later investment. The consortium is billed as bringing international capacity in landscape architecture, urban design, climate science, coastal and civil engineering, environmental management, transport planning, architecture and social development. The UDC will supervise the 25-kilometre Harbourwalk from downtown Kingston to Port Royal in three stages: phase one from the Marine Police Station to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; phase two onward to Harbour View; and phase three to Port Royal.

Separately, work has begun on the US$80-million Heartlands irrigation project in St. Catherine. Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister Floyd Green, launching it on Tuesday, said pipes have been procured and crews are already on site, with water expected to flow within about three months. The mini pressurised system is meant to improve supply and climate resilience for 41 farmers immediately, with longer-term plans to serve more than 400 acres on former sugar lands. The National Irrigation Commission is delivering the works with Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited. Green said farmers can no longer rely on unreliable rainfall and need irrigation for viable production.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) says it is now compliant with the Data Protection Act after Hurricane Melissa forced it to handle large volumes of personal data for relief. Director General Commander Gail told a JIS interview with Giovanni Dennis that a data protection officer has been on staff since February, policies were developed through consultancy, internal training was completed, and registration with the Office of the Information Commissioner as a data processor is the remaining step.

The Forestry Department has launched its first urban forest run, a 5K whose proceeds will aid restoration of the Black River mangrove system 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 event is also a call for public engagement in rebuilding forest cover and quality, with the course running at Constant Spring and finishing at the Constant Spring Golf Club.

Twenty-six St. Catherine pupils bound for high school received bursaries totalling $390,000 from the Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment Foundation. Recipients from St. John’s, Old Harbour, Orangefield, Davis, Kitson Town and Macaulay primary schools, who scored at least 75 per cent in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile exams, collected awards from founder Pauline Gregory-Lewis at the Social Development Commission parish office in Spanish Town. She urged them to avoid bad company and finish school with pride. Reverend Carl Johnson, pastor of Phillippo Baptist Church and president of the Baptist World Alliance, praised the foundation and asked parents to keep supporting the students.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reminded the public that Emancipation Day falls on Saturday, August 1, and will be observed that day. Independence Day will be observed on Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7, will be a normal working day. The ministry encouraged reflection on freedom and the nation’s historical contributions.