Lumumba’s Key Goals as He Nears the End of His Second Term in Jackson
As Jackson’s mayor, Lumumba outlines his main priorities before his term ends
Jackson, Mississippi, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Infrastructure, Bribery Scandal, Convention Center
Jackson: With just a little over six months left in his second term, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is all about fixing up the city. He’s focused on improving city facilities, boosting revenue, and tackling the ongoing infrastructure issues that Jackson faces.
During a recent press conference, Lumumba emphasized his hands-on approach. He said, “You can’t just admire a problem. You have to find dedicated funding to fix it.” He’s on the hunt for solutions to these long-standing challenges.
One of his big priorities is repaving the city’s roads. This has been in the works since 2023 with the “Street Resurfacing Project.” The first phase, which will repave over 40 streets, is expected to wrap up by the end of March. After that, they’ll move on to the next phases, which will cover even more streets.
Another issue Lumumba is tackling is the drainage system. He pointed out that areas like the Queens neighborhood often flood after heavy rain, and it’s time to fix that. He’s looking to use state online sales tax funds to help address these drainage problems.
On top of that, Lumumba is still keen on developing the property across from the Jackson Convention Complex. This site has been at the center of a bribery scandal involving him and other officials.
In November, Lumumba, along with Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, faced federal charges for allegedly accepting bribes from developers interested in the property. Those developers were actually working with the FBI, and all three have pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges.
Despite the scandal, Lumumba insists that developing this property has been a priority for the city for decades. He believes it’s crucial for Jackson to compete with nearby cities for conventions.
He explained that a convention center hotel could enhance the visitor experience and encourage people to return to Jackson. While he’s motivated to develop the property, he’s steering clear of discussing his alleged involvement in the bribery case.
As the municipal election approaches on June 3, Lumumba, along with the entire Jackson City Council, is up for reelection. He’s made it clear that he plans to run for a third term, even with the federal indictment hanging over him.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS mayor shares top priorities as his second term comes to an end