KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby has announced an increase in the annual divisional allocation for councillors as he criticised several Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors for what he described as poor attendance at meetings of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

Speaking at the annual Vineyard Town Divisional Conference on Friday at Excelsior Community College, Swaby said each division will receive $13 million this financial year, up from the previous $10 million. He stressed that the additional funding is intended specifically to address road repairs.

“Each division will receive an allocation of $13 million, up from $10 million. It’s nothing that the councillor gets in his or her hand and it’s not just to give away. It has to deal with roads, Christmas work, mitigation and other community needs,” he said.