KINGSTON, Jamaica — A strategic multi-agency operation was conducted in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, targeting local businesses to ensure adherence to national laws and regulations.
During the comprehensive walk-through, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) spearheaded the initiative, joining forces with several key agencies including the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Tax Administration Jamaica, the Public Health Department, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
Throughout the operation, the JFB was observed issuing instructions to business owners who were in evident breach of specific building codes. This effort is part of a broader initiative to enhance safety and compliance in the commercial district.
Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby addressed journalists, revealing that about 68 percent of businesses inspected had the necessary trade licenses in place. “There is a 32 per cent that we have to target to make sure that they are compliant,” Swaby remarked.
Additionally, the NSWMA assessed businesses for valid waste disposal contracts. Approximately half of the establishments reviewed met the compliance criteria. “I am particularly pleased that of the number of establishments visited so far, a good 50 per cent are compliant,” NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon stated. He expressed optimism, noting a willingness among non-compliant proprietors to achieve compliance. “We still see a number of persons who are not compliant but what was heart-warming was that they were willing to get compliant so we have teams entering into contracts with people,” Gordon added.
However, both Swaby and Gordon highlighted a significant communication issue hindering the process. A language barrier exists between authorities and numerous business owners, some of whom speak non-local languages. Gordon voiced concerns that some proprietors might be leveraging this barrier to avoid compliance. “We have encountered quite a bit of belligerence where people are not prepared to talk openly to us… some of the language that we encountered are obviously not Jamaican language and so it’s difficult to communicate with them,” he explained. “We get the feeling too that they use that as an advantage to not be forthcoming.”
Despite these challenges, Swaby assured that regulatory agencies will persist in their efforts to secure total compliance across all businesses in downtown Kingston. This operation marks a critical step forward in ensuring that local businesses operate within the framework of Jamaican law, enhancing overall safety and order in the commercial landscape.
