The St. James Municipal Corporation says it will be spending approximately $18.5 m for its drain-cleaning exercise as part of its preparation for the 2017 hurricane season.

Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation and Mayor of Montego Bay, Homer Davis says the drain-cleaning exercise will cover the local corporation’s 17 parochial divisions, which will commence during the first week of august.

Mayor Davis made the announcement at a recent meeting of the corporation’s disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation and safety committee.

He says this money comes to the corporation from a dedicated, committed fund from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

He says each councillor received equal allocation to assist with drain cleaning in their respective divisions.

Mayor Davis says St. James, and Montego Bay in particular, is usually affected by heavy rains and that while this allocation may not necessarily be enough, it will help put some remedial, preventative measures in place.

He also revealed that the corporation is expected to receive another tranche equalling the $18.5 m, in October.

Meantime, Mayor Davis says the corporation, as part of its proactive programme, has provided first aid training to emergency shelter managers in St. James.