Local Gov’t Ministry to Provide $15 Million for Repairs to St. Ann’s Bay Market

Posted on September 25, 2024September 25, 2024

Emergency restorative works are to be undertaken shortly at the St. Ann’s Bay Market in St. Ann, to make the vending, shopping and commuter experience far more efficient, safe and pleasant. This pledge was made by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, while on a tour of the Market district with Ministry officials and the policy and administrative leadership of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation on September 24.

In pointing out his own observations and concerns about the facility, Minister McKenzie noted that while other works are currently being carried out on some of the Market’s infrastructure, there is a need for speedy rehabilitation of sidewalks and stalls, among other things.

“The vendors expressed to me very clearly when I last came here, the challenges that they are experiencing at the Market, and I promised them that I would conduct an extensive tour, which is why we are here, to take a much closer examination of what is needed for this facility to be operationally safe and pleasant in the short and medium term especially. I share their concerns about the impact of the current state of the Market on their livelihoods, and so,, in addition to the Budgetary allocation which would been made for work to be done here and at other Markets, I am giving instructions for $15 million to be released immediately, to address the most pressing concerns at this Market for the vendors and shoppers alike.

This money will be provided to the St. Ann Municipal Corporation to address among other things, the sidewalks. The Market needs a visual lift, and repainting it will contribute significantly in this regard. I want to make it clear that this allocation will not fix all the matters that are outstanding at this Market, but it will address the immediately critical areas. Where safety and convenience are concerned, we will have to look at the vending stalls as well. I am hoping and expecting that the vendors will co-operate with us and with the Municipal Corporation, as while we will be doing this project now, we still crave their patience and their understanding that Rome was not built in a day. The Government has been steadily improving the Market infrastructure across the country, both through new construction and rehabilitation projects, and in this parish alone, substantial work has been done, including at the Brown’s Town and Ocho Rios Markets.

 

”I want to give the assurance that the Government in general, and Local Government in particular is attentive to the concerns of the public we serve, and that these improvements will be implemented in a timely manner.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MINISTER MOURNS MURDER OF FIREFIGHTER GARY SAMUELS IN ST. MARY

Posted on September 23, 2024

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is expressing great shock at the murder of Firefighter Gary Samuels.

Mr. Samuels, who was assigned to the Port Maria Fire Station in St. Mary, was shot to death in what appears to be a home invasion in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“This is still being intensely investigated by the police, but preliminary information is that Firefighter Samuels was one of two men who were shot dead in his house by men who were pretending to be members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. There are no reports at the moment about the motive for this vile act, which has left his relatives and the other man’s relatives, friends and colleagues shocked and traumatized.

“Firefighter  Samuels was in the prime of his life and of his career, with 27 years of dedicated service under his belt. This is a painful and bewildering experience, and on behalf of the Ministry and the leadership of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to all who knew Gary Samuels, and encourage his colleagues at the Port Maria Fire Station to be strong, even as they come to terms with this shocking and senseless incident.

“ I also want to encourage the police to do everything possible to solve this terrible crime, so that the murderers of these men will be brought to justice.”

MUNICIPAL OFFICER IN ST. JAMES ACHIEVES SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

Posted on September 20, 2024September 20, 2024

MONTEGO BAY, September 19 (JIS):                                      BY:  NATALIA DIXON

For 20 years, Jillian Rodney has been an example of dedication, resilience and professionalism within the St. James Municipal Corporation’s Police Unit.

As the last remaining officer from the first group deployed in 2004, Ms. Rodney’s journey is a testament to her commitment to upholding public order and enforcing municipal laws.

Her career began in 2004 when she, along with 14 other officers, underwent training at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Barracks in Montego Bay. Later that year, they were deployed across the Municipality, as part of the newly established Municipal Police Unit, to assist local authorities by enforcing municipal laws.

Over the years, six more cohorts have been trained at the Twickenham Park Police Academy in St. Catherine.

Reflecting on her two decades of service, Ms. Rodney shared that the early years were challenging, as members of the public were initially resistant to the presence and authority of municipal officers.

“Persons were hesitant at us carrying out our function [and] some persons on their own don’t yield well to changes,” she pointed out.

However, she said that through persistent public education campaigns and community engagement, attitudes have gradually shifted.

The Municipal Corporation’s increased efforts in sensitisation and seminars have contributed significantly to this change.

“We’ve seen improvement because people are now more educated about the laws,” Ms. Rodney noted.

“So, we find lots of people have improved somewhat from where we started, because they are now more educated,” she added.

Ms. Rodney, fondly referred to as “Mama” by her colleagues due to her motherly nature, expressed that the key responsibility of an officer is to be patient with the public and allow them to vent their frustration.

“You have to have patience… and you have to know how to talk to people because, at times, people will say things to pull you out, and you can’t take that bait for them to pull you out; you have to be just patient,” she added.

Ms. Rodney emphasises the importance of patience, particularly when dealing with members of the public who may be frustrated or combative.

“I understand the pain, the frustration, but this is what the law is saying, and ignorance is not an excuse; you just have to do it. I allow them to vent, and if I find out in a situation where it’s going to get violent, then I call for assistance,” she explained.

Despite the challenges of working long hours in the sweltering heat of the sun and managing the emotional toll of the job, Ms. Rodney has always maintained her professionalism.

“The sun is out, and you have more aggression to deal with.  Sometimes the stress and trauma that they (members of the public) put you through, that alone can wear you down, but you have to balance it, because once you’re working within the law you have to be professional,” she said.

“I have made it all through 20 years, and I have… never had any negative confrontation with any vendor or anybody,” Ms. Rodney said.

Ms. Rodney was presented with a plaque recently by the Corporation for her 20 years of dedicated service.

For his part, Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, commended Ms. Rodney for her exceptional service, noting that her contribution has raised the standard of the Municipal Police Unit in St. James.

Her years of service are appreciated by the entire Corporation. She is a phenomenal lady and has lifted the standards of the municipal police in St. James and, by extension, the Municipal Corporation,” he said.

The Mayor noted that Ms. Rodney “has imparted invaluable knowledge to her colleagues, which allowed the unit, collectively, to organise and structure responses surrounding municipal challenges”.

“We wish her all the best as she continues to execute her role with diligence and inspire a force that is needed in our city space today more than ever,” he added.

MINISTER EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Posted on September 19, 2024

KINGSTON, September  (JIS):

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has emphasised the importance of collaboration in improving Jamaica’s disaster management.

“As a country, we have to take disasters seriously, and that is why we have legislated a significant portion of our disaster response, and we are going to continue to strengthen that, but it also gives us an opportunity to expand our relationship with organisations such as the [World Food Programme],” he said.

Mr. McKenzie was addressing a meeting with World Food Programme (WFP) executives on Tuesday (September 17), at the Ministry’s Hagley Park Road offices in Kingston.

Meanwhile, Representative and Country Director, WFP, Brian Bogart, said visits will be made to areas affected by Hurricane Beryl in Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth in the coming days.

He said the organisation has been supporting Jamaica since the passage of the hurricane, in the areas of logistics, assessments and analysis of impact.

“We are committed very much to the long term and to strengthening whatever capacities we can work with you on at the institutional level for disaster management – from preparedness to anticipatory action and response,” Mr. Bogart said.

In response, Mr. McKenzie said, “Overall, your programme is something that I think will be a welcome one and it will strengthen our capacity as a country in responding to the various disasters that will come.”

Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie expressed gratitude to the WFP for its cash assistance to hurricane victims.

“It couldn’t come at a better time. It complements what the Government has been doing in terms of the Rebuild Jamaica initiative, and it also fits in nicely with the support that we have been getting from our sister agencies and sister countries,” he said.

The WFP will be disbursing US$1.4 million to 11,500 beneficiaries over a two-month period.

“The transfer values are graded in coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, based on the damage and severity of damage to households,” Mr. Bogart explained.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY TO ACCELERATE CONSTRUCTION OF INDIGENT HOUSES THIS YEAR

Posted on September 10, 2024

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has committed to building more indigent houses this year, to accelerate the process of addressing the needs of the Outdoor poor.  The Minister emphasized that the programme of building concrete houses for the indigent, which started during this Administration, is bringing hope and transforming the dynamics of daily life not only for the beneficiaries and their families, but for their communities.

“I cannot adequately describe the smiles on the faces of individuals, families, and their surrounding communities, every time I hand over an Indigent House. Under the Indigent Housing Programme, the construction of modern concrete houses with proper amenities and conveniences, reflects this Government’s determination that the humblest among us must live in dignity. Last year, over $100 million was spent to build indigent houses in St. Mary, Hanover, Westmoreland, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Kingston and St. Andrew.

“This year, I am very happy to announce that this Government will be spending $150 million to build new Indigent Houses across our parishes, so that those in need have a modern place they can finally call home.”

MINISTER DESMOND MCKENZIE MOURNS TRAGIC DEATH OF FIREFIGHTER SHAHINE NELSON

Posted on September 9, 2024

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is expressing great shock at the untimely death of Firefighter Shahine Nelson.

Ms. Nelson, who was assigned to the Stony Hill Fire Station, was killed in a single-person, motor vehicle accident at 10:03 on Friday night.

“She had just completed her shift when this happened. The preliminary report is this accident happened at the intersection of the Angels Main Road and the off-ramp coming from the North-South Highway. She crashed into the off ramp and her car ended up under a  tractor trailer with a container attached, which was parked nearby. We do not yet know what caused this accident, but it is unquestionably a terrible tragedy.

“I remember Firefighter Nelson very well. I presided over her Graduation Ceremony in 2022 and recall speaking with her about her training experiences. This tragic news is even sadder for me, as she was the step-sister of Firefighter Larenzo Douse, who was killed while on duty in Ocho Rios in 2022. Once again, this family of firefighters, and the wider JFB community is enveloped in mourning.

“ I share that deep sense of loss and disbelief. I trust that her loved ones and friends will experience solace, peace and personal strength as the days progress.”

30 ENTREPRENEURS IN WESTERN JAMAICA BENEFIT FROM SDC SOAPMAKING WORKSHOP

Posted on September 3, 2024

KINGSTON, Sept. (JIS):

Thirty entrepreneurs in western Jamaica have benefitted from a recent soapmaking workshop, which was hosted at Rusea’s High School in Hanover by the Social Development Commission (SDC).

The workshop formed part of the SDC’s Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), which aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners with practical and marketable skills to boost local economic resilience.

The workshop, which was attended by entrepreneurs from Hanover and St. James, incorporated theoretical and practical components.

It was conducted by owner of a successful Local Economic Initiative (LEI) in St. James, Dorceen Jennings, and covered wide-ranging topics.

These include: the definition, history and categories of soaps; types of processes used to make soap; the importance of Total Fatty Matter in the soapmaking process; raw materials and basic equipment used in the soapmaking process, and safety gears and measures for soapmaking.

Director of Local Economic Development at the SDC, Avril Ranger, tells JIS News that the session’s staging underscores the effectiveness of community-centred approaches towards economic development.

“By fostering entrepreneurship through skill-building workshops, the SDC is not only creating businesses, but also cultivating a sense of economic independence that will benefit communities for generations,” she informs.

Ms. Ranger commends the workshop’s facilitator, noting that she provided “an engaging and interactive training experience”, which ensured that participants, not only learned the craft, but also gained the confidence to apply the skills in their businesses.

She informs that the soap-making workshop is among several planned for the financial year.

“We’ll be covering essential business development areas, such as bookkeeping, modern marketing, taxation, packaging, and product standardisation in upcoming sessions. These initiatives are crucial to our broader strategy of fostering self-reliance and reinforcing economic resilience within communities,” Ms. Ranger says.

Meanwhile, three of the participants received grants totalling $50,000, a demonstration of the SDC’s commitment to economic empowerment.

To qualify for the grants, participants had to be registered as an LEI with the SDC, completed at least two other SDC capacity-building sessions and show a clear intent to use their newly acquired skills to expand their businesses.

Owner, West Jamaica Sea Moss, Andrew Parkes, who was one of the grant recipients, expresses gratitude, noting he is happy to have participated in the workshop.

“I attended to learn how to incorporate sea moss into soap bars, and I am excited to expand my product line with this new skill. The grant I received will help kickstart this venture, and I am eager to see where it takes my company,” he says.

The LEDSP is funded by the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

Over 400 LEIs in 273 communities across Jamaica are being supported under the programme.

 

BY: SHANNA K. SALMON

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MINISTER MOURNS PASSING OF COUNCILLOR MARJORIE McLEOD McFARLANE

Posted on September 2, 2024

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is expressing shock and sadness at the passing of Councillor for the Aenon Town Division in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, Marjorie McLeod-McFarlane. Ms. McFarlane died unexpectedly on Sunday.

“I am shocked and devastated. These same emotions are being deeply felt in the Aenon Town Division, in the Clarendon Northern Constituency and in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation. “Councillor McLeod-McFarlane was not just a dedicated elected representative. She was a trailblazer. She made history in the Local Government Elections earlier this year when she won the Aenon Town Division, a feat never before achieved by a Jamaica Labour Party candidate. Having caused this political earthquake, she went on to be an outstanding Councillor.

“Her family and friends have lost a beautiful soul. We, her colleagues in the local government system and in the Jamaica Labour Party, have lost an unrelenting and compassionate advocate for the advancement of community life. No one expected her work to end so shortly after it had begun. Even as I express condolences to her loved ones, I feel the void that has been imposed on us by her sudden departure. We will miss her, even as we pray that God’s light will shine on her, and his comfort will envelop all who knew her, and who mourn her absence.”