St Catherine municipal corporation moves resolution about insurance claims for damaged public infrastructure

The St. Catherine Municipal Corporation has moved a resolution that seeks to ensure insurance claims can be made on persons or entities responsible for damaging public infrastructure.

This in a bid to have the responsible parties fund repair or replacement costs, while reducing the fiscal burden on the corporation.

The resolution was brought by councillor for the Independence City division Courtney Edwards during the corporation’s monthly meeting on Thursday.

Edwards pointed out that vandalism, crashes, malicious acts and heavy duty vehicles are among the causes of damage to public assets such as roads, drains, utility poles, street signs, medians, sidewalks and fire hydrants.

He lamented that police reports on incidents typically do not contain details about damage to public infrastructure and this hinders the corporation’s ability to make insurance claims.

Meantime, Mayor of Spanish Town Norman Scott noted that greater enforcement of existing laws is needed as part of efforts to address the problem.

The resolution will be submitted to the relevant government ministries and agencies, as well as operators of heavy duty vehicles / equipment and insurance companies.