Local Government and Rural Development Minister Says No Double Standard at Work in Granting Of Approval for Sigma Run 2021

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021

Following the announcement by the Most Honourable Prime Minister in Parliament on February 9, applications for sporting events are being considered on a case-by-case basis. An application for the Sigma Run was made and approval was given after a full range of stringent protocols, for which the company was required to manage, were considered. The Ministry recognises the concerns of Jamaicans and the general public and would like to give the assurance that the event was monitored and found to be compliant with the approved Protocols. We are reaffirming to Jamaica that the consideration to grant the approval was based on compliance with the established Protocols only and is the first of a number of applications that was considered.

The Local Government and Rural Development Minister stated that the Government is keenly aware of the general desire for a return to normal life and noted that even-handedness is being applied to all applications for sporting events. Consistent with this approach we are still trying to manage the pandemic, and as such applications for sporting events have to be assessed case by case. The necessary protocols are required to be designed to govern every event that is approved.

Presently, some submissions for events made by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) have been approved, while an application from the Jamaica Karting Association is now being reviewed. As the Minister responsible for the management of the Disaster Risk Management Act, I want to assure the public that every effort is being made to ensure that normal societal life can return, while ensuring that COVID-19 is effectively managed. I therefore ask all our people to observe all the health and safety protocols, as this will fast forward our recovery from this pandemic.”

Failure to obtain the proper approvals can have unwelcomed consequences. Unfortunately, this is what happened at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Training camp. While the JFF had submitted an application for the event, it did not wait for approval and sadly multiply cases of COVID was discovered among the players.

Local Government Minister Defends the Government’s Management of The Homeless Population; Says Programmes and Strategies to Improve Their Welfare and Security Will Continue

Posted on February 10, 2021February 21, 2022

The Government of Jamaica will continue to care for and develop appropriate infrastructure to accommodate Jamaica’s homeless population. This was declared by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, at today’s ceremony where 100 hand-washing stations were officially provided to the Ministry by Digicel Jamaica to promote public sanitary habits in the fight against COVID-19.

“Since 2016, this Administration has spent over $500 million on new and improved facilities for our homeless population, something that is unprecedented. We have constructed and put into operation six new Drop-In Centres. We have through the Social Protection Programme, been placing a special focus on the plight and the needs of our unfortunate brothers and sisters. This is why, though the buck stops with me as Minister, I am a bit perturbed by some of the comments in the public space, following the brutal killings and assaults of our homeless people in the Corporate Area last week. However, I want to assure all our front-line workers in the Infirmaries and the Golden Age Homes, the staff of the Municipal Corporations and the Mayors, that the work of bringing fundamental change to the lives of our vulnerable people through Local Government will not be stopped. COVID-19 has affected the pace of implementation of some of our infrastructure projects such as concrete and steel houses for the indigent, but we will meet our targets.”

The Local Government Minister also challenged critics of the Administration to voice any suggestions for improving the lives of the homeless population in a structured and credible way, stating that all good ideas will be strongly considered. “We tend to be vocal if and when an incident occurs, but in the normal business of everyday living, there is not much concern that is generally expressed about the homeless, the special needs of the homeless population, and they are not well understood. How we treat our vulnerable, including our homeless, is an indication not only of the services of the State, but also of the attitudes of our society. I am calling for a total overhaul in our perception of our homeless people, even as the Government works to improve their circumstances in practical and sustainable ways.”

Public Hand-Washing Stations to Be Installed Across Jamaica As Government And Digicel Partner To Fight Covid-19

Posted on February 5, 2021February 21, 2022

As the Government continues to implement strategies to contain COVID-19, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie has announced that hand-washing stations will be installed in selected public spaces across Jamaica. He made the announcement today, at an official ceremony to mark the handing-over by Digicel Jamaica of 100 hand-washing stations to promote effective cleansing habits. The first installed station is now located at the entrance to the Golden Age Home in Kingston. The Minister noted that the placement of that hand-washing station is significant, as while visits to Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes are still prohibited, essential care workers and other service providers are subject to strict disease prevention protocols.

“A hand-washing station will be installed at Cross Roads. In addition, there will be a hand-washing station at every Municipal Corporation building, and at every Infirmary. This is a tremendous expression of what is possible when there is partnership between government at all levels and the private sector. Digicel continues to be a reliable and innovative partner, and a great corporate citizen. This Government has shown that it is active and acting against the COVID-19 pandemic, but it can’t do it alone. In doing this, Digicel has shown its cognizance that the pandemic is no respecter of persons, and that we are all in this fight together.

The Local Government and Rural Development Minister also specially recognized the Department and Agency of the Ministry, the Board of Supervision (BOS) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) respectively, for their front-line efforts in working will all levels of Government to control COVID-19. He also appealed for care to be taken to preserve the foot-operated devices, as members of the public get accustomed to their presence around the country.