A new National Programme for the Upkeep of Public Spaces is set to be rolled out under the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, aimed at improving the maintenance of cemeteries, recreation grounds, community centres, and other public areas across the country.

The programme, revealed in a leaked Cabinet Note, proposes hiring workers directly through the Ministry and placing them in structured teams assigned to Municipal Corporations. Each team will include one Maintenance Supervisor, one Compliance Checker, and ten Maintenance Workers. Four Regional Coordinators will provide oversight, with the country divided into Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern regions.

The pilot programme is scheduled to run for thirteen weeks, from December 15, 2025, to March 13, 2026. According to the Cabinet Note, the total cost for the teams and coordinators during this period is estimated at over $285,000.