The National Works Agency (NWA) is in the final stages of preparing a $39 million programme dedicated to drain cleaning and bushing in the Southern parishes of St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon. This initiative forms a central part of the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) islandwide Pre-Hurricane Mitigation Programme.

Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, says that the agency is now actively engaging Members of Parliament across the parishes to finalise the programme of works. This collaborative effort is an important aspect of the programme as it ensures that the representatives are involved in the identification of some of the locations to be targeted.

The works are expected to be completed by the end of May, ahead of the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season that runs from June 1 to November 30.

The NWA urges residents to support these efforts by keeping drains and river channels clear of household waste, as community cooperation is key to maintaining an efficient drainage system.