The west Kingston communities of Tivoli Gardens and Denham and Hannah towns are the latest to see the roll-out of the Integrated Community Development Programme (ICDP). The project is funded by the Government of Jamaica with a loan from the World Bank.

The ICDP was officially launched for the three communities last Thursday. The project aims to tackle the needs of 18 communities, across seven parishes, which are in need of development interventions.

Under the integrated intervention, slated to last until May 2020, Denham Town, Hannah Town and Tivoli will see the introduction of measures to promote public safety and transform basic infrastructure and social services. Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is the implementing agency for ICDP.

Investments will be made for the rehabilitation of roads, improvement of storm-water drainage; installation of water supply and sanitation household connections, removal and replacement of zinc fences and also improvements in electricity connections and lighting.

Omar Sweeney, managing director of JSIF, speaking at the launch in western Kingston, called on residents to embrace the programme, noting that it was aimed at "improving the living conditions in Jamaican, making it a better place to live, work and raise families."

ICDP includes a Youth Livelihood Project, which will provide resident youth with the means to learn and earn; Micro Enterprise Development, inclusive of training and provision of grants; other Education and skills training programmes for at-risk youth; as well as training in creative industries, to include animation, entertainment and the arts.