The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, (KSAMC) says it would welcome and cooperate fully with any anti-corruption probe that may be underway into allegations of misuse of public funds for political purposes.

The response from the KSAMC follows recent media reports about the allegations.

Mayor Andrew Swaby reaffirms that he is committed to transparency, accountability and good governance.

In a statement this morning, the corporation provided clarity on how resources are allocated in the absence of an elected councillor.

It said when there is a vacancy in a municipal division, the allocation of resources in those areas falls under the responsibility of the mayor.

This is the case in Denham Town in West Kingston, Olympic Gardens in West Central St. Andrew and Chancery Hall in North West St. Andrew where vacancies arose due to the passing of councillors and the elevation of a councillor to a Member of Parliament, MP.

The KSAMC explained that ahead of the Christmas period, the Jamaica Labour Party MPs representing these divisions including the Office of the Prime Minister, (OPM) were contacted regarding the allocation of funds.

The OPM was included because the prime minister is the MP for the constituency where one of the vacant divisions is located.

Mayor Swaby said had his approach to allocating resources been driven bipartisanship, he would not have engaged the MPs to facilitate the distribution of these funds.

He said he deliberately engaged them to ensure transparency and that resources reach communities through their elected representatives.

The Kingston mayor said he wanted to make it clear that municipalities do not disburse cash and at no point did the KSAMC authorize or facilitate cash disbursements to any individual.

He added that if any such transaction took place, it was not sanctioned by the corporation and did not involve public funds.

Mayor Swaby stated that the KSAMC, under his leadership, remains committed to integrity, responsible governance, and the proper management of public resources.

He added that he takes seriously the responsibility of public servants, who are entrusted with ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of all residents of Kingston and St. Andrew