By Francine Black, Staff ReporterTHE NATIONAL Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has launched a new approach to handling the rehabilitation of the Kingston Harbour.
Pollution in the harbour has been a serious concern for authorities since the 1960s and sporadic efforts have been made to address the problem but with limited success.
The approach being taken by the NEPA is aimed at building an institutional capacity for environmental management through a programme being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with a grant of US$500,000 ($30 million).
The announcement was made yesterday at a NEPA seminar titled 'Kingston Harbour in the year 2025', at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
KICK-START THE PROCESS
"In this particular instance the bank is providing a small amount of money to help kick-start the process of the clean up in a very organised and co-ordinated manner," IDB deputy representative, Oscar Spencer, told The Gleaner in an interview.
The IDB came on board in response to a request by the Jamaican Government through the Planning Institute of Jamaica for support to undertake the project.
Mr. Spence said the project fits in with the bank's mandate to support development and social projects. He hopes that unlike previous attempts by Government to address the issue, this initiative, which has the support of the bank, will get the support of all concerned.
The project has a five-part component and is expected to begin within the next few months.
The seminar brought together stakeholders in the public and private sectors and civil society to discuss their respective roles in the redevelopment of Kingston Harbour and by extension Kingston's rehabilitation project.
Yesterday's launch focused on the preparation of a physical development plan for the harbour; assistance to industries aimed at eliminating harmful discharges into the harbour; preparation of bid documents for construction of ship waste facilities and development and implementation of a public education and outreach programme. A solid waste management programme forms part of the redevelopment of the harbour.
Additionally, the Kingston wastewater management programme to be funded via a $40 million loan from the IDB is close to being signed.
