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LOCAL GOVT. MINISTER CHARGES ADMINISTRATIVE HEADS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO STEP UP THEIR COMPLIANCE GAME AS PART OF THEIR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OBJECTIVES

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As part of a special initiative to optimize financial reporting compliance and general service delivery by the island’s local authorities, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, recently convened a special meeting of the Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers of all fourteen Municipal Corporations. This meeting also came against the background of the 2025/26 Report to Parliament by the Office of the Auditor General, which raised issues including the late submission of annual financial statements, the status of the Municipal Corporations’ disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, as well as Human Resource matters concerning the complement of personnel in the Municipal Corporations.

In his initial address, Minister McKenzie suggested that the Municipal Corporations should thoroughly assess all the issues resulting from Hurricane Melissa, and implement more resilient measures to manage the Corporations’ finances going forward. He further called on the local authorities to implement a formal system that will assist them to capitalize on their various streams of fee income, also known as Own Source Revenue.

“[You] have a stream of revenues that you have at your disposal…there are no measures that are put in place to collect the millions of building fees and the other fees that are out there…” he said.

In raising the matter of the 95 outstanding financial statements outlined in the Auditor-General’s Report and the reasons for the Municipal Corporations’ repeated delay in producing the statements, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, Ms. Jennifer Brown-Cunningham explained that each local authority has established a plan of action to complete the outstanding statements over a prescribed period.

“ When we went to Parliament in January of last year [2025] there were a number of things that we indicated would be required for us to meet our obligations… St. Ann has 15 statements outstanding and we would have put forward a timeframe within which to clear that backlog, and that would be the same for all the municipalities with outstanding statements, a timeframe within which we would expect to have those statements up-to-date” she said.

Ms. Brown-Cunningham further went on to explain that similar to some of the other Municipal Corporations, St. Ann hired an independent contractor to complete the outstanding statements in the stipulated timeframe.

Minister McKenzie, along with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Marsha Henry-Martin, encouraged the executives to remain mindful of the systems of accountability that are in place to safeguard the integrity of local government, and added that these systems should never be compromised, even in the pursuit of speedy and efficient service delivery. He used the opportunity to once again call for the use of the AMANDA Software that was implemented by the local authorities some time ago to streamline, digitize and track building permits as part of the Development Approvals process.

20 MORE BEDS FOR THE ST ANN DROP IN CENTRE

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After a tour of the St Ann Drop-in Centre last Friday (January 30), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie announced that an additional twenty beds will be added to the facility to accommodate the increased number of homeless persons in St Ann. The facility, which currently houses twenty-one overnight clients and several more drop-ins daily, is seeing an increase in the number of unhoused individuals.

“We are at the capacity of the facility both in persons who attend on a daily basis and those who sleep overnight. We are going to be expanding capacity to take more of the persons who are in need of shelter. It is important that we do that because a lot of persons, especially because of Melissa, some of the conditions that they were living in prior to Melissa, have made it even more difficult for them… so we are going to look to increase the numbers by an additional 20 bed spaces” he said.

Minister McKenzie explained that while the drop-in center is a temporary space, the homeless facilities across the island have added value to the lives of its clients, noting that several users of the service have gone on to advance their educational pursuits through the support of the administrators.

“The prime Minister has given me instructions to ensure that all the progammes, all our social programmes, reach the targeted population that need that service… quite a number of persons who are in these facilities, not just here in Ocho Rios but right across in our drop-in centres are young people. Person with ambition, there is a lawyer at the Desmond McKenzie Transitional Facility in Kingston…” he said.

The Minister added, “The purpose of these facilities is to cater for those persons… I am happy to meet the young man that I met the last time I was here. He wanted to get his lifeguard registration, he never had the money, we provided the funds for him he has gotten it, and he showed it to me, and he has now even gone further to make themselves useful despite the circumstances.”

Another user of the facility, who serenaded the Minister with a rendition of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Three Little Birds,” on a broken guitar agreed to move into the facility as opposed to staying on the outside of the facility. The Minister has committed to providing him with a new guitar, to support his musical talents while he remains in the Shelter.

Suzette Prince, the administrator at the Drop-in Centre expressed her gratitude to Minister McKenzie,

“ I just want to day thank you so much for always taking the time out to care for the less fortunate…the last time you were here, you assisted the service user in getting his life guard certificate, not only that, he went on further, two of our users, went on and they did the ‘Teen Jamaica’ programme, they were successful and they are now certified”.

Fortunately, majority of the drop-in centres and night shelters in the western part of Jamaica only sustained minor damage during the passage of hurricane Melissa, all of which have been repaired and are in full operation according to Minister McKenzie.

NEW TRELAWNY INFIRMARY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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Construction is now in progress at the site for the new Trelawny Infirmary. During a visit to the location last Thursday (January 15), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, announced that the foundation for the prefabricated units, which will serve as the structure for the facility, is scheduled to begin in less than two weeks.

“I am very pleased so far with the work that is taking place…we have now moved from the recovery aspect of our agenda to the rebuilding now, and this is the first phase of the rebuilding exercise here in Trelawny as it relates to the municipal corporation”, Minister McKenzie said.

“Within another week and a half, they will be ready to start pouring, to put the concrete base, so that by the end of January to the second week of February they will be putting down the containers” he added.

The project, which is estimated to cost $150 million, will be completed in two phases, with phase one amounting to some $65 million. The final phase, which includes erecting concrete structures for the laundry room, isolation rooms, staff quarters and storage areas, is estimated to be ready within 3 months.

“I want to thank the mayor and the team for the work that they are doing, we all know that we have been experiencing some torrential showers for the last couple of weeks, and there have been days when no work can take place on the site. I am hoping that we will have good skies, good weather, so that we can push on the work that needs to be done,” he added.

The Minister also took the opportunity to thank the private-sector organizations that have made donations of air-conditioning units to be installed once the structures are anchored.

“There are a number of private sector interests that have helped to make this possible and I want to say, first of all, thanks to Adam Stewart from the Sandals Group of Companies, they have donated four air condition units, and to Roy Lafayette from Geddes Refrigeration who have also provided air conditioning units for all the wards that will be put down here at this new facility,” Minister McKenzie said.

Mayor of Falmouth, His Worship Councillor Collen Gager, lauded the Ministry for the swift response to rebuilding the Trelawny infirmary.

“I am thankful for the Minister and the Ministry for answering to our call and providing a place where the infirmary can call their home… We will all work together to see how best we can help in bringing it to the final touches,” the mayor said.

In the interim, the residents of the Trelawny Infirmary are being housed at the Elliston Wakeland Community Centre after they were relocated from the Hague Primary School to facilitate the re-opening of education institutions following hurricane Melissa.

NSWMA Receives 10 New Trucks Valued $200m to Boost National Hurricane Melissa Clean-Up Programme

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JIS:

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has received 10 new tipper trucks, valued approximately $200 million, to strengthen the National Clean-up Programme in parishes impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The units were handed over to the agency by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during a ceremony at the NSWMA’s headquarters, Half-Way-Tree Road, Kingston, on Tuesday (December 23).

He indicated that the vehicles will be deployed to the western end of the island, particularly to Black River in St. Elizabeth, which was heavily impacted by the hurricane.

“These trucks will be primarily used in the clean-up campaign across the 16 affected constituencies that have been identified,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has been asked to give special attention to Black River.

He emphasised that the St. Elizabeth capital will require resources beyond those available to the NSWMA or local government, and as such, the UDC will partner with the agency to carry out the extensive clean-up operation required.

“The Executive Director of the NSWMA has met with the Managing Director of the UDC, and they are working together to work out a plan to clean up Black River. So, that is moving along smoothly… . We want to ensure that we are compliant with all the rules. The trucks’ first targeted intervention will be in the town of Black River. So you’re going to see these trucks there moving debris over and over and over for a couple of days until the town is cleaned up,” Dr. Holness detailed.

He emphasised that the addition of the 10 new trucks will allow the NSWMA to redeploy vehicles that had been diverted from their core function of collecting municipal waste, enabling them to resume that service.

The Prime Minister explained that the new trucks will be dedicated to collecting inorganic debris, including zinc, construction materials, wires and fallen light poles.

He pointed out that with 4.8 million tonnes – approximately 480,000 truckloads – of debris left across the island by Hurricane Melissa, the clean-up will be a lengthy process, requiring additional equipment to expand the NSWMA’s capacity.

“We’re going to do another procurement of trucks like what we have here, so that you can have control and proper direction and targeting,” Prime Minister Holness stated.

In his remarks, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, affirmed that the Government has been making steady progress in clearing the debris left behind by Hurricane Melissa.

“The inclusion of these 10 units will help to improve the service flow… and you will be seeing a greater amount of activities starting as quickly as possible,” he informed.

Minister McKenzie shared that in the next financial year’s Budget, the Government will allocate funds for additional compactor trucks, as well as smaller units designed to serve hard‑to‑reach communities and rural areas.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, noted that since the National Clean-up Programme began, the agency has removed approximately 15,000 truckloads of debris.

He emphasised that the 10 new trucks are a timely addition, given the increased demand for capacity during the Christmas season.

Mr. Gordon added that the agency is currently sourcing wood chippers to support the debris management programme.

MAYOR REMINDS VENDORS OF DUTY TO KEEP KINGSTON’S ROADS AND PARKS ACCESSIBLE THIS CHRISTMAS

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JIS: Vendors across the Corporate Area, particularly in downtown Kingston, are being reminded of their responsibility to operate in ways that safeguard the public’s right to safe and accessible roads, sidewalks, and parks during the Christmas season.

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, emphasised this while speaking during the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony. The event was held at St. William Grant Park in downtown Kingston on December 9.

Councillor Swaby noted that, traditionally, during the Christmas season, activities in downtown Kingston intensify, accompanied by the recurring challenge of vending in areas not designated for such use.

“When our sidewalks and roadways are blocked, it slows everything down… traffic, business, and even basic safety. It makes it harder for people to walk, harder for them to shop, and harder for us to keep order. This hurts not only the public but the vendors themselves,” he stated.

“Vending in downtown Kingston is not new… . It has been a part of the city’s life for decades. But the level of crowding we have been seeing, especially during the busy seasons, has reached a point where it can no longer continue the same way. So I am asking for cooperation as we go into the holidays. Work with us, keep to the designated areas, and help us keep downtown open, safe and welcoming for everyone,” the Mayor added.

Councillor Swaby further stated that in the New Year, the KSAMC will collaborate with stakeholders to restore order throughout the business district.

He said the KSAMC will be reclaiming key corridors within the business district and tightening enforcement to ensure that public spaces are used as intended.

“This is not to fight vendors… . It is to make sure downtown works for all of us,” the Mayor said.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of the season, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, operators of the popular sound system, Stone Love, will be in St. William Grant Park, bringing music and festive cheer.

“This is our way of giving vendors and shoppers a little of that Grand Market feeling in a safe, controlled space,” Councillor Swaby stated.

He further indicated that on Christmas Day, December 25, the Corporation will host its annual Christmas feeding for residents of the local authority’s care facilities. The event will take place on Water Lane, home to the renowned Art Walk.

It’s a simple act, but it reflects what Christmas should be… caring for people who need it most. On New Year’s Day, January 1, we will continue our tradition of feeding members of the homeless community in St William Grant Park,” Councillor Swaby said.

Additionally, he advised that, for 2026, the KSAMC will partner with Hummingbird Charities to provide food and entertainment, ushering in the New Year with compassion and dignity.

JAMAICA FIRE BRIGADE URGES SAFE USE OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

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KINGSTON, December 11 (JIS):

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is reminding citizens to exercise caution when installing and using Christmas lights, in order to reduce the risk of fires during the festive season.

Speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on December 9, Public Education Officer at the JFB, Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, outlined several precautions that citizens should practise to ensure the safe usage of Christmas lights.

“The situation with Christmas lights is that they have a plug-in…; what that does is, if you’re not careful, it leads to overloading of a circuit. No more than three sets of lights should be plugged in at any time into one socket,” he said.

Superintendent Ebanks further emphasised that householders should carefully follow manufacturers’ specifications when installing and using the lights.

“Indoor lights are not suited for outdoors. The indoor lights do not have the kind of protection to [safeguard] against the elements, the rain especially… and those can cause short circuiting of your electrical systems, which can start a fire,” he explained.

The JFB Public Education Officer also indicated that householders should observe additional precautions when using lights indoors.

“If you are plugging those lights inside, for example, and you are stringing them around a tree, you need to make sure that the tree is one that can manage the heat that is coming from the bulbs that you will be wrapping around them,” Superintendent Ebanks said.

He noted that older-style bulbs produce more heat, which increases the risk of fire. In contrast, newer LED-type bulbs generate significantly less heat and are, therefore, generally safer for household use.

Superintendent Ebanks further emphasised that Christmas lights should never be left unattended.

“The lights are for your enjoyment. If you are leaving the space, unplug the lights. You don’t want a situation where something starts and nobody is there to see what’s happening,” he said.

Superintendent Ebanks added that if no detection device is installed in a space and a fire starts, householders may only be awakened after the situation has already gotten out of control.

He also advises that anyone using a natural Christmas tree should place it in a stand with water to maintain its moisture and prevent it from drying out too quickly.

NATIONAL CLEAN -UP PROGRAMME: A UNITED EFFORT

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The highly anticipated National Clean Up Programme was officially launched, by the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie in Darliston, Westmoreland last Friday (December 5).

Although clean-up efforts had begun in different parishes across western Jamaica, the launch of the Clean-up Programme signals the official beginning of a national collaborative effort across government agencies and departments.

While speaking at the launch minister McKenzie spoke to the importance of community involvement for Jamaica to wholistically recover from Melissa’s onslaught.

“We are not only dealing with the major thoroughfares in which the National Solid Waste Management Authority will continue to work on that programme. But this is a programme that goes deep within the communities, where persons will have an opportunity to put out the couch that you never want to part company with, but you have to. All the things that were damaged and have no use. We’ll be cutting away trees…We have the various equipment here this morning,” he said.

The Minister emphasized the importance of setting political differences aside, especially during this time, stating that the road to restoration for Jamaica is not grounded in politics.

“We as a country must put aside our political differences, because it is Jamaica that matters… the challenge that we face today we still going to have it because it is not going to take us 10 years to do what is necessary to restore Jamaica to the place that we want… Melissa never ask who they voted for…Dr Dayton Campbell is General Secretary of the People’s National party, I am the Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, both of us are working together for one cause” he added.

He also commended first responders on their dedication to their duties in light of hurricane Melissa, highlighting that many of them have not returned home, or have a home to return to, since the passage of the category 5 storm.

“I want this morning to use the opportunity and to ask you all to help us to celebrate and honour and appreciate the work of our first respondents, the fire brigade, the police,  the army, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, our nurses, our doctors, those community persons who volunteer who was there in the middle of Melissa.. several of them have lost their homes, they have nowhere to go, they have to be staying at the Infirmary in Savanna-la-mar, same thing for persons in St. Elizabeth, in Falmouth, while they were there taking care of the residents, their homes were destroyed” he stated.

The National Clean up Programme is a part of the Government of Jamaica’s collaborative response to restoring a dignified Jamaica by engaging the deep crevices of communities as well as towns and cities over the next 4-6 weeks across 16 of the hardest hit constituencies in Western Jamaica.

Clean-Up Operations to Begin at Savanna-La-Mar Market

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JIS:

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has directed that immediate clean-up operations begin at the Savanna-la-Mar market in Westmoreland, following extensive damage caused by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The Minister was speaking to journalists after touring the facility on Wednesday (December 3).

“I have said to the Mayor and to the technical team in the Ministry that immediate work must commence in starting to clean out the market. That’s the first thing you have to do, clean out the market,” he underscored.

Minister McKenzie also instructed that no market fees are to be collected during the recovery period.

He announced that the Social Development Commission (SDC) will conduct a survey with residents, vendors and shoppers to determine their views on future plans for the market.

“Any decision that we are going to take has to be predicated on information from the general population, not just from myself as the Minister, or the Mayor. We will not do anything until we have your full input into how we proceed,” he emphasised.

While acknowledging concerns about the market’s location near the sea, the Minister said the final decision must reflect the wishes of the people.

“I don’t believe it’s a wise move but the majority speaks… and I have to respect that,” he said.

Mr. McKenzie said Westmoreland has suffered some of the worst impacts of Hurricane Melissa, and recovery efforts are being escalated.

“I am now moving away from looking at everywhere else and putting Westmoreland, especially this part, as the top of the list. The devastation that exists here is tremendous,” he pointed out.

The Minister noted that the Government is supporting the restart of local commerce, including assistance with generators and distributive trade supplies for affected businesses.

In his remarks, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Danree Delancy, welcomed the Minister’s intervention and said the Municipal Corporation stands ready to act.

“This is my third visit to this space since Melissa, and each time the devastation seems to be more. We will try and start the clean-up as soon as possible,” he assured.

In the meantime, Councillor Delancy appealed for patience as vendors and residents adjust to the recovery process.

“Some people might still be traumatised… people have lost homes and livelihoods, and, therefore, it might muddy our thinking. But we appeal to all our people to cooperate as best as possible,” he outlined.

The Mayor also noted that the Ministry had previously invested millions in upgrades to sections of the market, including a cooling system, which were lost to the hurricane.

For her part, Councillor for the Savanna-la-Mar Division, Julian Chang, said the Minister’s presence signalled hope for the town’s recovery.

“In Savanna-la-Mar and its environs, the market is the lifeblood of everyone that lives around this area. A lot of people depend on the market. If we move the market… it will be darkness,” she said.

She added that planned improvements to the market and surrounding areas, including the historic fort, will be crucial to revitalising the town.

JAMAICA ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

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#PostHurricaneMelissa

The Municipal Corporations across the island have taken an ‘each one, help one’ approach, in response to the damage sustained by Hurricane Melissa according to Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie; he was speaking at the Hurricane Melissa Relief and Recovery Press Briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister last evening (November 3, 2025).

“Seven of the Municipalities have been severely affected by the passage of the hurricane and none of these Municipalities have anywhere to conduct administrative activities… I am pleased to announce that the municipalities that have not been affected, have now moved into those parishes, a team from KSA has gone into St Elizabeth, teams from Portmore, St Catherine, St Thomas to other communities to cover areas in western Jamaica that has been severely affected by the passage of the hurricane,” he said.

Minister McKenzie disclosed that the parishes that were severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, not only suffered infrastructural damage, but they also experienced financial setbacks, as their revenues were also adversely impacted by the disaster.

“I must also make the point that the revenues of the Municipal Corporations have been severely affected by the passage of the Hurricane. And as I speak, at least 30% of our markets have been damaged, some destroyed” he said.

In light of the widespread effects of the Hurricane, Minister McKenzie announced plans for a National Clean Up Campaign that will be spearheaded by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) through a collaboration with the National Works Agency (NWA), Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo.) and the Ministry of Education, in a bid to remove the debris caused by the hurricane.

“This clean up exercise will include the National Works Agency, TPDCo, the Ministry of Education and it will be led by the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the purpose of the cleanup ladies and gentlemen is for Jamaicans to participate in this National Clean up exercise that will take place right across the country in every community,” he said

The Social Development Commission will work within the communities to coordinate teams across Jamaica to participate in the initiative.

MORE RELIEF POUR IN FROM INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development lauded the swift action of local and international partners who have mobilized efforts to assist Jamaica in recovering from Hurricane Melisa while speaking at a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday morning (October 31).

One such partner, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), who partnered with the Government of Jamaica last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, will assist with food supplies and distribution as well as infrastructural repairs.

“This morning I’m please to advised the country that one of our partners GEM, this international organization came  in country yesterday and they’re here, headed by Michael Capponi, is here along with his team and later on today, one of the first signs of their commitment to working with the government and the people of Jamaica is a visit to the Transitional Centre in Kingston where the homeless population is where they will be providing care package to the homeless population” he said.

 

“And tomorrow, we will be rolling out along with the ODPEM and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in various teams to go into Black River and Whitehouse in Westmoreland,” the Minister added.

Another partner is the is the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) who works closely with the office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), they provide disaster management support for CARICOM member countries. A team from CDEMA arrived on the island on early Friday morning to lend their support.

Hon. Desmond McKenzie also announced that several roadways, community and main roads, are cleared to accommodate vehicular access–an important step in mobilizing aid and supplies to the hurricane-stricken parishes.

“A significant effort by the National Works Agency and the Jamaica Defense Force and the other teams to make the roads accessible…efforts are being made as we speak, to ensure that we ca access Westmoreland going through Black River and that is being done because tomorrow we’re gong to take a team in Whitehouse Westmoreland to start to provide some relief supplies,” he said.

The Government of Jamaica has taken an ‘all hands on deck’ approach as they continue to recover, rebuild and restore.