OVER J$400 MILLION IN PAROCHIAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AMONG HURRICANE PREPARATION MEASURES FOR 2026

Posted on June 23, 2026

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie says additional measures are being taken to ensure maximum levels of readiness for this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season. In noting that he was contributing to the Sectoral Debate at the start of the Season (June 3), the Minister said thoroughness in preparation as well as rapid, co-ordinated responses to incidents as they arise, are the fundamental objectives of these measures. “This year, 200 participants in the Youth Summer Employment Programme will be deployed to work specifically with the Disaster Co-ordinators in each Municipal Corporation. At least 10 YSEP workers in each MC, will be assisting with Shelter arrangements, and public outreach activities such as Town Hall Meetings. These 200 YSEP participants who will assist the Disaster Co-ordinators will be working for six months, beginning on the first of July. In keeping with the instructions of the Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who is Chairman of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, we will also be implementing emergency drills island-wide, to ensure far more efficient, co-ordinated responses to incidents in real time.

The Minister also announced new initiatives to ensure that parochial infrastructure is ready for the Season. “We will be implementing a Special Drain Cleaning Programme at a cost of $70 million. Under this Programme, each Division will be allocated Three Hundred Thousand ($300,000) for drain cleaning. This is in addition to the drain cleaning allocations given to the Municipal Corporations for the months of May and June through the Parochial Revenue Fund. We are also rolling out a Priority Parochial Road Programme, which will target badly damaged roads that connect communities, and roads that lead to critical places like Hospitals and schools. This Programme is valued at $350 Million, and I wish to emphasize that this is separate from the monthly allocations that the Corporations receive for road maintenance. “

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER ANNOUNCES J$600 MILLION PROGRAMME TO RELOCATE AND REBUILD INFIRMARIES DAMAGED BY HURRICANE MELISSA

Posted on June 22, 2026June 22, 2026

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie has announced a raft of measures to restore and expand municipal infrastructure dedicated to caring for Jamaica’s vulnerable population.

In his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate on June 3, the Minister reported that Infirmaries in Trelawny, Westmoreland, St. Ann, and St. Elizabeth, were severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

“The Ministry has been working diligently to rebuild and, in some cases, relocate these facilities. $150 million has been allocated for the relocation and reconstruction of the Trelawny Infirmary. $400 million is being provided for the relocation and reconstruction of the St. Ann Infirmary. The estimate for restoring the St. Elizabeth, Hanover and Westmoreland Infirmaries is $56.4 million, and works have been done to this point to the tune of $28.1 million. This year, a new wing will be built at the Spanish Town Infirmary at a cost of J$70 million.”

In reporting on the implementation of the concrete Indigent Housing programme, Minister McKenzie noted that construction activity had been affected by Hurricane Melissa. However, he disclosed that this year, $160 million will be provided to build more Indigent Houses.

On the long-standing issue of social cases at the island’s hospitals, the Minister announced a special effort will be made to address it this year in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, through the expenditure of J$200 million to increase the capacity of municipal care facilities, in order to release hospital bed spaces for people with exclusive medical needs.

With regard to Homelessness, the Minister reported that the Board of Supervision, in partnership with the Social Development Commission, completed the National Survey on Homelessness in the last quarter of 2025. The preliminary findings are that 2-thousand, 261 people were found to be homeless, with 52.5% of this number located within Kingston and St. Andrew.

He noted that over the last decade, an expanding network of Drop-In Shelters, Night Shelters and Transitional Shelters has been, and is still being built, to give these vulnerable Jamaicans secure spaces where their shelter, nutrition and medical needs are addressed.

“Phase Two of the Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre for the Homeless was completed in the last financial year, allowing for a total capacity of 80 homeless people to be accommodated. The extension to the St. Thomas Night Shelter was completed at a cost of $12 million, and the Portland Drop-in Centre and Night Shelter was also completed at a cost of $55 Million. This year, the Marie Atkins Night Shelter will be renovated at a cost of $35 million”

BUILDING BOOM IN FULL SWING AS MELISSA RECOVERY CONTINUES…LOCAL GOVT. MINISTER WARNS THAT IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION REGULATION WILL ACCOMPANY INCREASED ACTIVITY

Posted on June 16, 2026June 19, 2026

Jamaicans are fully invested in the national recovery process as the country continues to manage its Reconstruction phase, seven months after Hurricane Melissa.

Local Government and Community Development Minister Hon. Desmond McKenzie made the declaration as he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on June 3. He revealed that the encouraging levels of construction activity follow a trend of significant activity prior to the Hurricane, where between January and September 2025, 3,764 building applications were submitted, representing an 11% increase in the number of applications received, and an investment value of J$46.1 Billion. For this same period, the monetary value of the number of applications that were approved, was $164.2 Billion.

The Minister pointed out that construction activity after the Hurricane is even more impressive. “Between January and March this year, 1,377 applications valued at $68.8 Billion were submitted. The records show that this number of applications far exceeds total applications received for all Quarters, dating back to the April to June Quarter of 2023. Critically also, the analysis reveals that more people are applying for Building Permits, to ensure the structural integrity of their projects.

The most significant increase of 11%, was in building applications for small residential developments under 300 square metres in size. This signals strong activity to rebuild houses, small businesses and factories. 71% of the applications approved were done within 90 days, and the investment value of these approved applications stands at $36.1 Billion.”

Minister McKenzie also indicated that the continued acceleration of the Development Approvals process is critical to the success of the Reconstruction Phase. He specified that it is intricately connected to the responsibilities of the Municipal Corporations in their capacity as Local Building Authorities, and to the improved enforcement of building standards through the revised Building Code, which will be implemented in this Financial Year. “A critical feature of the new Code is that buildings are to be constructed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.

There will also be stronger enforcement powers for Municipal Corporations, mandatory compliance checks, and stricter penalties for illegal construction in high-risk zones. The enforcement capacity of the Local Authorities will be strengthened, as the Ministry of Finance has given approval for a revised Establishment structure for the Municipal Corporations, which will facilitate the employment of more Building Officers.

The Minister also indicated that there has to be an improved public attitude to the efforts to improve buildings standards and spatial integrity. “…there has to be a clear understanding and acceptance among our nationally and locally elected representatives, as well as the general public, that it will not be business as usual. Long-standing reckless and dangerous practices will have to be replaced with order as the new normal in the built environment.”

CHURCHES IN HANOVER RECEIVES CLEAN UP GRANT

Posted on June 15, 2026June 19, 2026

56 churches in Hanover received their slice of the $75-million Community Church Clean-up allocation after Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Desmond McKenzie handed over checks amounting to $8.4 million Friday morning (June 5, 2026).

This, after the government made a commitment last December to provide churches in the five most affected parish with grants to assist them with undertaking post-hurricane Melissa repairs.

In his address at the ceremony, Minister McKenzie underlined the importance of supporting churches crediting the Local government system to the early church.

“We can’t separate the state from the churches” said Minister McKenzie as he reminisced on the inception of the Local Government fraternity immerging from the vestry system.

“A lot of our church halls was used as shelters and there are still churches today, that is assisting us by using their facilities to continue to house and to provide for persons who are waiting for permanent replacement” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams, further added that the value of the church must never be undermined, as the body continues its job of restoration and community-based first responders.

“The many roles of the church within communities is critical… The churches play a major role in response and in restoration, and I am not talking about responding to their own issues as churches and restoring churches, but they play a major role in the restoration of community life” he said.

“The issue of ensuring that we have responders or response teams or response capabilities within communities that is an important aspect of our resilience infrastructure. Within communities across this country there are local community based responders that will assist in the event of a disaster and we believe that the churches can play, and will play a major role in assisting the government, the Ministry of Local

Government in creating this cadre of volunteers, this cadre of first responders in the event of disasters that are community based” Minister Williams said.

This partnership between the government and the churches comes, as the administration is looking to move away from using educational institutions as shelters in the face of another disaster.

This grant handover ceremony is the second of five such event geared towards assisting churches with minor rehabilitative work following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

EVENTIDE HOME FIRE VICTIMS HONOURED WITH NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE (MAY 20)

Posted on May 27, 2026May 28, 2026

A forty-women guard of honour by the women of the Jamaica Fire Bridge, decorated the aisle leading to the Eventide Home Monument at the National Heroes Park last Wednesday morning (May 20), as dignitaries laid floral tributes to honour the memories of those who perished in the fire on May 20, 1980.

The inaugural National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Eventide Home Fire Floral Tribute, which was held on the 46^th anniversary of the tragedy, served as a reminder of the legacies and lives that were lost that morning. Within 10 minutes, just after 1:00am on May 20, 1980, more than 100 women lost their lives when the Myers Ward became engulfed in fire.

During his keynote address at the ceremony, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, emphasized the importance of cementing the Eventide devastation history.

“This is a day of remembrance historical introduction of education, I look at some social media posting about Eventide home fire and in my response, many persons admitted that they genuinely had no knowledge of this disaster. This day of remembrance is an official opportunity, to expand awareness and to use the awareness to ensure that we never allow our vulnerable population to live or die in circumstances like that of the Eventide home”, he said.

“We will always cherish their memories and live the dream that they were never able to live” he added as he closed.

Out of one of the country’s most horrendous tragedies came renewed focus on the services and operations of homes for the aged. In 1985, the Vineyard Town Golden Age Home was built on a new site to replace Eventide under the leadership of the Honourable Edward Seaga. The Golden Age Home is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean and has capacity for 500 residents. It designed to prevent a repeat of history and to foster a communal environment where residents can interact with one another. Today, about 20 survivors of the Eventide fire reside there.

BUILT-IN ACCESSIBILITY; FUELLED BY RESEARCH

Posted on May 13, 2026June 16, 2026

Accessibility is far more than just adding a ramp, it is more than hiring a sign language interpreter for official broadcast, accessibility starts by inviting the people who need it most to the table when policy decisions are being made, true accessibility is mandating inclusion—these were some of the take aways from the this year’s staging of the Seventh Regional Disabilities Conferences that was held at the UWI Law Theatre on Tuesday, April 28, under the theme” Building An Accessible Caribbean for Persons with Disabilities”.

The two-day event convened with an opening ceremony and conversations surrounding inclusion in the built environment.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams, during his keynote speech recalled the first time he was instrumental in programme formation for people with disability, this was many years ago when he was invited by Professor Floyd Morris to participate in training the blind to use computers.

He further added that the limitations faced by people with disability is not just a national or regional concern, but a global issue citing that matters surrounding accessibility transcends specific disciplines and must be addressed through the lens of research and coordination in order to fully understand and solve these issues.

“While being mayor of Kingston… I was going through all the myriads of problems confronting cities across the globe I came across a phrase, and it was like “The problem of complexity”… and so I started to delve [into] it because cities do have problems and cities die, just as we die, if those problems are not addressed…In finding solutions, we have to transcend the disciplines, that’s where the coordination is important, that’s where the research is important, that’s where the Centre for Disability Studies is important…”he said.

He also highlighted the significance the Building Act of 2018 which was revised to incorporate International Building Codes and the rights protected under the Disabilities Act 2014. He further spoke to existing infrastructure such as roadways and drainage systems that might hamper movement for persons with disabilities.

“From the infrastructure side of it, the Building Act is critical and incorporating International Building Codes easily into law. Here in Jamaica it is part of advancing and addressing some of the problems we face within the built environment… our drain infrastructure, there are some drains that pose a barrier and serious issues to person with disabilities, our roadways… or just gain access to the sidewalk… that is something that we have addressed in the Building Act, there are still issues to resolve within that, because it is one thing to have the legislation, it is another thing to implement the legislation to make it into practise and that is where we are focused now with respect to built environment,” the Minister added.

Minister Williams went on to note that plans are afoot to increase the number of building and planning officers within the local authorities to ensure that the stipulations in the Building Act surrounding accessibility is adhered to by builders and developers.

In closing, Minister Williams lauded the Centre for Disabilities Studies for the strides they have made in amplifying the voices of the disabled and encouraged members of the community to continue the advocacy and the research as this will help to guide policymakers when making decisions that will impact the disabled community.

“Continue the advocacy, continue the training, but critically,…continue the research because the research is what will guide us as policymakers, and the policy formation process is a robust and rigid process, but it is informed by research,” he said.

Section 3(d) of the Building Act, 2018 stipulates that the National Building Code must facilitate enhanced amenities in general and require the construction of buildings that provide sanitary facilities, ease access and adequate amenities, for members of the public in general and person with disabilities in particular.

96 MORE STRONG – JAMAICA FIRE BRIGADE WELCOMES NEW RECRUITS

Posted on May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

The Jamaica Fire Brigade has gained ninety-six new members, following the matriculation of the new recruits (intake 27) last weekend (May 9) on the lawns of the Iona High School in St Mary.

Inspecting Officer and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie congratulated and commended the recruits for taking this step in service to their country.

“I want to first of all, extend my personal congratulations to the intake of this year’s graduation exercise…I want to first of all, salute the future of Jamaica, we have just witnessed young Jamaicans stepping forward to serve their country,” said Minister McKenzie.

He further extended his gratitude to the families of the recruits who supported them through-out the three-month long training period, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system.

“I want to also thank the parents, girlfriends and the wives, baby mothers too, who have supported them in allowing them to make this major step, you are coming into the Jamaica Fire Brigade at a time when the values of the country is being questioned, and you must all support these young men and women as they embark on this major milestone in their lives,” he said.

The Minister further emphasized the critical role of the brigade, citing that the organization does more than douse fires.
“The Jamaica Fire Brigade is the country’s first responders, so when there is a motor vehicle accident, you don’t call the police, when there is an oil spill you don’t call the police, when there is a fire you don’t call the police, the Jamaica Fire Brigade is the entity that responds to all the calls and one of the new listing for the Jamaica Fire Brigade is delivering of babies, because they have been doing a good job,” he added.

Minister McKenzie also used the opportunity to remind attendees and the wider Jamaica that they too have a role to play, advising that more mindful actions can help to prevent fires and other incidents that will require the response of firefighters.

“If we as a people understand and recognize that we have a part to play, in being more conscious, more careful, then we will be able to have them serving us for a much longer time,” he said.

For his part, 23 years old Jahdae Wright, who’s impressive performance during training earned him valedictorian and the coveted ‘Yellow Helmet’, reminisced on the gruelling training that he and his fellow batch members endured, “On the first day here, we were told instructors were gods in blue, and a lot of us recruits did not know exactly what that meant, until it was time to go into the smoke-filled container. Some recruits were crying, screaming, shouting, even beating down the container to leave, while there was this one instructor who stood right beside the fire in the smoke with no PPE just his bare daily wear, showing no emotions, and he was there before the first person went in and the last person came out,” Wright recalled.

“In the classroom, we were greeted with warm smiles and comforting conversation that encouraged learning, but the moment we stepped outside, discipline and order were enforced with intensity… Platoon rivalry was fierce; cadences stirred insecurities and discontent. This aspect of training prepared us for what would become an excellent display of our skills on open day. Those who came to watch what we could do did not know how badly we longed for sleep. We trained this way so that on the job we would be prepared, ready and capable, pushing aside fatigue in our bid to save lives and protect property,” he further added.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Yellow Helmet Award is a high accolade presented to the most outstanding recruit upon graduating. The award is accompanied by a $200,000 cash prize; the runner up will take home $150,000.

REBUILDING A ‘NATION’, ONE HOME AT A TIME

Posted on April 29, 2026June 19, 2026

On Friday morning (April 24), a commitment came full circle when Ms Evette Nation received two sets of keys at the threshold of her brand new, fully furnished 3-bedroom home.

After braving the lashings of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Ms Nation and her family believed that the worse had passed, but in the quiet aftermath, a flicker from a single candle changed everything, the place that they once called home was reduced to ashes.

Shortly after, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during a trip to the community, visited Ms Nation and stood in the outline of where the structure once was, there, he pledged to support the family through the Ministry’s Indigent Housing Programme.

While speaking at the handing over and groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister reminisced on the moment he broke ground for the construction of Ms Nation’s house.

“The last time I came here, we broke grounds for the construction of this unit that you see here to my left. When I came, it was a sad and unfortunate occasion and what I saw was touching, [I]saw a family in grief, saw a family wondering what’s next for us? where will we go?” the Minister recalled.

“Right there I made a commitment, that the government would respond and we started the process… and I am here this morning, not just to find out what is happening but to see exactly what is on the inside…Manchester is very privileged because we have built a number of indigent houses in Manchester,” he added.

“The Ministry of Local Government, we continue to construct indigent housing, that is our commitment… it is the responsibility of Poor Relief to provide housing for the persons who qualify under the Poor Relief Act,” he said as he emphasized on the importance of recognizing the needs of the people.

Meanwhile Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams reinforced the government’s commitment to providing housing assistance to citizens who need it most.

“As a country…we always have to develop, design and implement programmes that address issues among vulnerable groups in our country. Housing is a major part of this,” he said.

“More and more people like yourself Ms Evette Nation will benefit as the programme is improved,” he added.

For his part, Councillor Mario Mitchell, who represented the Mayor of Mandeville, Councillor Donovan Mitchell spoke to the quality of the construction and commended the team at the Manchester Municipal Corporation who worked alongside the contractor.

“I want to recognise the persons from the Municipal Corporation for this house… this is an improvement. When I came a while ago, I ask if it’s a five-bedroom house this, because we have some houses already, top top quality, when we build a house in Mandeville it is well built,” Councillor Mitchell added.

After the handover, the team moved to an area adjacent to the house, where they broke ground to signal readiness for the construction of a 2-bedroom unit for the brother, Mr Robert Nation and his family.  Ms Nation is the recipient of the first 3-bedroom dwelling under the Ministry’s Indigent Housing programme, which previously only constructed Studio, 1- and 2-bedroom units.

101 CHURCHES RECEIVE GRANTS UNDER GOJ’S COMMUNITY CHURCH CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION INITIATIVE

Posted on April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

101 churches in St. Elizabeth received more than $17 Million in grants last Friday (April 17), under the Government’s post Hurricane Melissa Community Church Clean-up and Restoration Initiative. This $75 Million initiative was announced by the government last December and over 400 Churches across the Five most affected parishes – St. Elizabeth, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny and Westmoreland – will benefit.

In his Address at the official handing over ceremony, held at the Middle Quarters New Testament Church, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie expressed the importance of recognizing and providing support to churches during their time of need and recalling that the foundation of local government emerged through the church.

“Every parish has a parish church, and the significance of the church in the capital, that was where government started, local government started in the churches so the councillors and those who occupy those roles, were once deeply entrenched in the Christian fellowship and that is why local government is as close as it has been and continue to be when it comes on to working with the churches and the involvement of activities that stirs community involvement,” he said.

“The commitment of the government of Dr Andrew Holness, is to serve all the people of Jamaica when the need arises and the church found themselves in that position,” he continued.

The minister also reflected on the many churches that were damaged during the hurricane and added that despite these adversities, churches were still willing to extend help to residents who were displaced.

“I started to count…the amount of churches that sustained damage, I had to stop count because I couldn’t keep up with some of these churches that were damaged. And aside from some of these churches being damaged, we have churches that have been totally destroyed that will have to be rebuild out of the dust and the ashes… despite the difficulties that the churches have experienced over the period, they have not closed their doors in saving souls and preaching the gospel… they’re not complaining, and the church must be commended because they are experiencing  what many other Jamaicans are experiencing… the church caters to the needs of many Jamaicans, the church represents what Jamaica is all about… despite the challenges, the church has responded,” Minister McKenzie stated.

To that end, he also shared that the government is now considering partnering with the churches to avail their facilities to accommodate shelterees in the face of another disaster.

Meanwhile, Hon Delroy Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development spoke to the impact of the churches on the country’s journey as a democracy citing that most of our nation’s values were built on the churches’ ideologies.

“The church is not just an actor in our society… but what is not often said, is that we owe our very way of life to the church and Christianity. The way we live as Jamaicans, we owe that to the church… I stand here very grateful to the church and the role it has played in making us who we are as a society… our very constitution, we owe to the church, and its principles,” he said.

For his part, Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon highlighted the importance of providing support to the churches in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa while reflecting on the role of the institutions within the country.

“The church therefore is an integral part of the modern society. In a time when our society has seen the moral decline that it is, we have to embrace the church in its fullness… and for a great percentage of our people that’s where they turn for hope, especially in desperate times. So, the invaluable service that the church has provided is fully embraced by our Minister and the team around him, which is why we’re here this morning, to give that hand of support,” he said.

“For us at the National Solid Waste Management Authority, we have no option but to work with a broad network of people like the church in Jamaica, we want an even better partnership with the church,” Gordon continued.

The remaining 300 churches in the worse affected parishes will receive their grants within the coming weeks.

A NEW STRUCTURE FOR MARKETS

Posted on April 13, 2026May 13, 2026

The bustling town of Yallahs should have less vendors lining the roadways and filling the market since the grand re-opening of the newly renovated market in the town’s Square last Friday (March 27).

While delivering his remarks, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, expressed concerns about the number of markets across the island that were leased to private operators, thus preventing vendors from utilizing the facilities for their intended purpose.

“Today I am here to honour a commitment that was made by the government… Right across Jamaica, there are number of markets in Westmoreland, Manchester, all over, and we have started to reclaim these markets and to put them back into the hands of the Municipalities and to allow vending to take place in an orderly and a decent fashion,” he said.

His comments came after the Yallahs markets was previously bound by contract to a privately operated auto mechanic shop.

Minister McKenzie also spoke to the fact that many of the market structures across the country are more than a century-old being inherited from past colonial rulers.

“There are over 38 market across Jamaica and 96% of those markets is more than 100 years old…since 2016, while we continue to renovate markets, we are building new markets. Just a couple weeks ago, I broke ground in Alexandria in St Ann for construction of a brand-new market. Couple months ago, I opened a brand-new market in Buff Bay in Portland, [earlier], we built a brand-new market in Port Maria and at present we are reviewing a new design for the Morant Bay Market here in St Thomas,” he said as he highlighted the government’s commitment to revitalizing the markets islandwide in an effort to drive economic growth.

Over the last few years, the government has taken the decision to build or rehabilitate markets by adapting a more modern and sustainable design which promotes proper ventilation, fire prevention, more suitable market stalls, clean and reliable sanitary conveniences.

Most notably, the new design will allow individual vendors to apply for their own pre-paid electricity through the Jamaica Public Service, this will encourage an energy saving approach that will eventually ease the burden of high electricity bills on the Municipal Corporations. This move will also help to prevent the outbreak of fires caused by illegal connections.

According to the Minister, “9 out of every 10 fires in markets, can be attributed to electrical short circuit… we are in discussions with the Jamaica Public Service Company, where there is a need for the markets because administrative work must go on in the market but the same way you buy credit and put on your telephone, we have started in Buff Bay, the market in Buff Bay has a system where if the vendors want to be connected to get light, they go in and they make arrangements.”

Minister McKenzie urged the vendors and residents to comply with the guidelines set by Municipal Corporation for a smooth transition into the market.