Swaby hits back

KINGSTON Mayor Andrew Swaby has challenged Works Minister Robert Morgan to acknowledge the funding challenges facing municipal corporations across Jamaica, arguing that the deteriorating state of the country’s roads cannot be blamed on local authorities without recognising the inadequate resources available to them.

Swaby, speaking at Tuesday’s sitting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation monthly meeting, continued his public joust with Morgan, accusing him of singling out the Opposition-led corporation for criticism while appearing to overlook similar difficulties facing municipalities controlled by the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“I have observed that Minister of Works Robert Nesta Morgan has developed what appears to be a rather special interest in the affairs of the KSAMC, and in me personally. Judging from how frequently he speaks about the KSAMC, one would assume that he was given the responsibility for local government. I trust that Minister [of Local Government Desmond] McKenzie has been advised of this apparent expansion of his colleague’s responsibility,” Swaby commented, drawing murmurs of agreement and chuckles from councillors within the chamber.