LOCAL GOVERNMENT ECHOING THE VOICE OF COMMUNITIES
Local Government and Community Month got off to a spirited start with the hosting of the National Church Service on Sunday, November 1 at the Transformed Life Church.
While delivering remarks at the at service, minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie commended the church for their hospitality while recounting their involvement in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
“I want to first of all acknowledge this congregation for the support that you have been giving to us, here at Local Government since you became our neighbours a couple years ago and I want to publicly thank you… I remember going into a number of parishes, Trelawny and St Elizabeth, and your team, pastor, join with us in offering counselling service, assisting the municipal corporations, reaching out” he said.
“I remember we were in Falmouth and a number of staff at the Falmouth infirmary, that was devastated by Melissa, were crying, they felt hurt, and your team, through spiritual guidance, sat, gave counselling, supported the work of the local authorities by ensuring that they were in a frame of mind to offer the service to the people who need it most, and I want to say, how greatly [appreciative] we are for your efforts” Minister McKenzie added.
The Minister also used the opportunity to highlight the importance of youth involvement within Local Government through the Youth Councillors.
“I want to congratulate our youth mayors… I want you to see how local government is moulding the young people of our country to become future leaders of tomorrow… we are the closest form of Government to the people” he said, while inviting one of the Island’s youngest (2026) Youth Mayors, Dre-Arianna Neil of the Portmore Municipal Corporation on stage to stand with him.
For his part, Minister of State within the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams spoke to the important role that Christianity plays in maintaining good governance.
“The entire Western civilization owes its existence to Christianity… Local Government is hard work, its rough work, and there are local government practitioners in the Ministry or by way of the municipal corporations, councillors, the workers, have committed themselves to the work of Local Government and the fruits of that show… and they need your prayers” he said.
In closing, Minister Williams reflected on Matthew 22:21, which speaks of giving Caesar what is due to him. He highlighted the verse’s call to “give onto God, what belongs to God”, urging congregants to dedicate themselves to the Lord.
The National Church Service was also attended by the Custos Rotulorum of Kingston and St Andrew, Hon. Ian Forbes who represented the Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, and read his message, His Worship the Mayor of Kingston and St Andrew, Councillor Andrew Swaby, and several other councillors from within the municipality, including Councillor Phylicia Henry Golding who read the Prime Minister’s message and Councillor Jesse James who read the message from the Leader of the Opposition. The National Church Service is the first event of Local Government and Community Month signalling the start of the month’s activities.