Legacy Projects Driving Sustainable Development

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Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently stated that no decision has yet been made regarding possible compensation to business owners who have been affected and impacted by lost revenues due to the ongoing road improvement projects across the Corporate Area. As the conversation continues and expands regarding possible redress for lost business in light of the ongoing road enhancement projects across the Kingston Metropolitan Area, especially Hagley Park Road/Three Miles areas, it is very much timely to add to the discourse the possible redress to property owners for the temporary, suspended aesthetic appeal amidst the unusual volume of dirt and dust which have invaded homes as the government’s Legacy Programme moves ahead in earnest. The Prime Minister in the said interview commented that Cabinet would need to consider such a proposal surrounding compensation for property owners. Recently, the President of the Private Sector Organization (PSOJ) Howard Mitchell expressed that some businesses in the Corporate Area have closed down as a result of the road redevelopment projects. It is a well known fact that the private sector is one of the important engines of growth and this clearly must be of concern to the government especially as we approach the Yuletide Season.  The Cabinet should also consider the plight of the property owners who continue to be negatively impacted and affected by the dust nuisance and develop an amelioration package to acknowledge that the State empathizes with the dislocation and inconvenience being experienced by residents.  We must be mindful too that there are residents who suffer from respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, sinusitis and other bronchial ailments that are seriously triggered by the constant dust annoyance. Is it too much to ask that more frequent water sprinklers trucks be made available to mitigate against the dust?  It is unacceptable what currently exist regarding the water sprinkler trucks. It is obvious that there is no scheduling of when these trucks work. On some days the trucks will work twice daily, then a few days pass before the water sprinklers trucks re-emerge.  While we acknowledge that in the long term we will all benefit from the expansion and redevelopment of the road network, it is only fair that in the interim some attention be paid to affected residents to see how best the State can assist in offsetting residents cleaning expenses. For example, the government could partner with retailers such as supermarkets and wholesales and offer cleaning vouchers and coupons to those property owners who continue to be impacted by the roadwork, to obtain cleaning agents and equipment such as brooms, rakes, shovels and dust masks etc to assist in cleaning. The inconvenience does not stop there, perhaps, we need to be reminded that the affected residents have been through numerous water lock-offs and electricity outages due to the ongoing road expansion and repair.  The Cabinet should also give serious consideration and approval to the government in assisting property and business owners in a practical and meaningful manner. The onus regarding proof of residence would then be left to the affected parties, whether home owners or residents in the event of compensation by the State. Undoubtedly, the adjoining avenues off Hagley Park Road will require special attention to clean up after all the work is completed. As we move forward the State has an enormous responsibility to ensure that the development process does not dislocate the citizenry. As a society it is commendable that the government has taken the lead regarding the movement towards developing and fostering a culture of sustainable development, more so in light with the mandate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11, which ensures our cities are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.

waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo

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