KSAC and NWC and the Raw Sewage problem in Downtown Kingston – How to restore order by making Downtown safe for Vendors and Shoppers

“I can speak with a level of authority because finally the problem that many communities in Downtown Kingston face on a daily basis where raw sewage (on the roads) was a part of their lives is finally coming to an end.....The efforts of the water commission will go a far way in lifting the standards of the city and will be a part of the effort for the redevelopment of Downtown Kingston”

Former Mayor of Kingston Desmond Mckenzie commenting on the Raw Sewage present on Heywood Street and Pechon Streets in Downtown Kingston near to Coronation Market

Downtown is one of my favourite places to shop.

It only takes JA$200 to reach Downtown or JA$100 if you walk down there early in the morning and take a bus come back home. The deals on Vegetables in Coronation and surrounding Markets as well as the Wholesales shops are excellent.

But I absolutely dislike the smell of raw sewage that emanates from the Street whenever it rains. I usually avoid going to Downtown Kingston at this time to shop, as the stench is unbearable.

It has to do with a failed promise by the NWC (National Water Commission) from four (4) years ago to build a new waste-water pump station on Darling Street as reported in the article “Destination Downtown: FIX IT: Raw Sewage Still Flows”, published May 5, 2015 by Andrew Harris, The Jamaica Gleaner.

I've only recently discovered that this Raw Sewage is also flowing even when there is NO rain and is present in the form of the thick algae green looking water on Heywood Street and Pechon Streets. Based on Newspaper reports, the US$6.3 million which is needed to replace the 116-year-old facility at Darling Street has not being found by the KSAC.

Vendors have of course protested about this, as it’s rather unfair to be paying JA$1000 per day to the KSAC (Kingston and St Andrew Corporation) for permission to use the Downtown Carination Market while having to put up with the unsanitary conditions that can be fixed.

KSAC and NWC have not fixed Raw Sewage problem in Downtown Kingston – How to restore order by making Downtown safe for Vendors and Shoppers

Meanwhile the KSAC is trying to bring order to the vendors use of Downtown Kingston, with many vendors still choosing to set up their stall in front of other businesses and blocking the walking pathway on the sidewalks as noted in the article “Destination Downtown: Vendors Vex - Slow Sales, Lack Of Order Leave Higglers Fuming”, Published Tuesday May 5, 2015, by Andrew Harris, The Jamaica Gleaner.

Former Mayor of Kingston Desmond Mckenzie has complains about the situation, to both the current KSAC and NWC, but so far nothing has been done to have the situation changed and the condition of the Downtown Market improved.

After all, if the conditions Downtown are bad on Heywood Street and Pechon Streets, then the vendors, seeking to make “honest bread” as they call it, will continue to try to find the best locations to get customers, drawing the ire of the KSAC in the process.

The KSAC and the NWC needs to find the US$6.3 million and fix the waste-water pump station on Darling Street. Otherwise, disorder will continue Downtown in Coronation Market and on every Street, as Vendors have no place to sell that's comfortable, safe and sanitary both for themselves and their customers.