Some $25 million has been allocated to upgrade the National Heroes Park in Central Kingston.

The park, which is the burial ground for the country's Prime Ministers, national heroes and some cultural icons, has been in a deplorable state for many years.

Segments of the grounds have even become a car park for employees of the Ministry of Finance, one of the government ministries along Heroes Circle where the park is situated, while several other areas outside the cemetery have been left unmanicured for several years.

Funding for the project is to be made available through the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

Executive director of the fund, Ian Neita said while it is still not clear when work will begin, it may commence in two months. He said the project is to be spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Environment.

He is assuring the public that all contractual arrangements will be done according to Government procurement guidelines.

Spinoffs

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Aloun Assamba said while the precise intent is not to market the park as a tourism product, there will certainly be spinoffs.

"Already the way the park is now, there are cemeteries there and there is the changing of the guard that is on the hour and I've actually gone there on a Saturday and I've seen people there waiting to watch that little bit of activity," the Minister said.