THE $2.5 BILLION 'Lift Up Jamaica' programme announced by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in his Budget presentation in May begins today with the training of prospective workers by the HEART Trust/NTA.

Persons who have been recruited for two pilot projects in the Corporate Area will be the first to begin the training programme.

The pilot projects are the Portia Simpson Basic School on Payne Avenue and a section of the airport road in the vicinity of the traffic lights on Windward Road and the power plant, both in Kingston.

The basic school is to be given a facelift and its sanitary conveniences refurbished. Major roadwork and landscaping to improve sections of the airport corridor entering the capital city will form the activity in east Kingston.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is responsible for the overall implementation of the programme.

Overall implementation

Projects under the 'Lift Up Jamaica' programme will be selected through a process of consultation with individuals and organisations at the community level. Consultations are currently under way in several sections of the island involving the UDC, the Social Development Commission (SDC), residents, political representatives, non-governmental organisations and civic groups.

Churches, Parent Teachers Associations, youth clubs and other groups are also being consulted on the types of projects to be undertaken and are being encouraged to monitor the progress of work and see to the maintenance of facilities.

Under the programme projects to be targeted include repairs and cleaning of drains and river courses to protect lives and property; road maintenance and sea wall rehabilitation; improvement to community parks; repairs to sanitary conveniences; cleaning of markets; clearing and securing derelict buildings and constructing walkways and signs.

The programme is to provide employment for some 40,000 youth ­ aged 18 to 30 years ­ from various communities across the island.