MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Over 100 projects are being done in Manchester as part of Labour Day activities following two years of restrictions that were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business and political leaders were among volunteers painting pedestrian crossings, giving the Cecil Charlton Park in Mandeville a facelift, paving the Villa Road Primary school compound among other projects.

Member of Parliament for Manchester Central Rhoda Crawford told OBSERVER ONLINE that she was pleased with the turnout of workers including volunteers on Labour Day.

“It is a very good feeling… Last year was very scaled down, so this is the first one where we can actually come out. It has been going very good,” she said while participating in the Villa Road Primary school project.

“People from communities, wherever they knew that the projects were, got up very early and were out,” she added.

Chief executive officer at the Manchester Municipal Corporation, Winston Palmer, said projects were being done in all 15 council divisions.

“We have a fair number of people [out], but I think what will happen as we go along, the participation will improve,” he said.

President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Simone Spence-Johnson, was among those painting the Greenvale roundabout curb.

“It feels good to come out and get something done for the benefit of the community,” she said.

– Kasey Williams