FALMOUTH, Trelawny: The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will spearhead a public education initiative to educate Jamaicans on the roles and functions of municipal corporations and its elected parochial representatives in short order.

“There are going to be extensive sensitization programmes with councillors which will happen in the next two weeks. The handbook for councillors will be ready shortly. We are revising the handbook,” explained Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“We’re not only providing information to strengthen the Councillors, but we’re going to be providing information so that the country can know the role of local government.”

He was speaking at the March 7 swearing-in ceremony for newly elected councillors as well as the election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor at the Trelawny Municipal Corporation in Falmouth.

Councillor Collen Gager representing the Warsop Division was sworn in as chairman of the Corporation and Mayor of Falmouth. His deputy is Councillor Jonathan Bartley of the Wakefield Division.

The Trelawny Municipal Corporation is made up of nine councillors – six of which were elected on the Jamaica Labour Party ticket and three from the People’s National Party.

“…I will champion the cause for Councillors to become more accountable, for councillors to be transparent, for councillors to be seen, to be felt in their respective divisions,” Minister McKenzie added.

“A number of polls were conducted which indicate that persons in every parish say they don’t know the Mayor, they don’t know the Councillor, and for me that don’t sound good.”

The Minister also urged Mayor Gager – who is now serving a third-consecutive stint as Mayor – and his team to be mindful and take note of public sentiments.

The Mayor used the occasion to urge the Councillors to serve with integrity and distinction.

“As we turn to the future, I am ready to lead our town and parish’s recovery and renewal. That means leading the way [in terms] of accountability, and pride in the execution of duties,” said Mayor Gager.

“Each Councillor will be held accountable for his allocation. Remember, the residents are holding us to task. Whatever you do or say will affect the Trelawny Municipal Corporation.”

-New-look initiative aims to improve youth engagement and development

 KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Social Development Commission (SDC) has redesigned its Summer Camp Initiative aimed at providing a vibrant platform for youth engagement and development between the months of July and August each year.

The new-look programme, which received a $22.1 million cash injection from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, was rolled out last year with 87 camps across the fourteen parishes.

The camps were organized through the Community Centre Management Programme – a cornerstone initiative of the SDC – and had approximately 4,356 participants between the ages of 1 to 24 years.

“These Summer Camps go beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings, focusing on activities designed to inspire, educate, and motivate young individuals aged 4 to 21 years,” said SDC’s Public Relations Manager, Mr. Mandel McKulsky.

“The carefully curated lineup includes workshops on conflict resolution, educational enhancement, career guidance, and motivational talks. Additionally, activities promoting personal hygiene, teamwork, stress management, nutrition, fire prevention, and substance abuse prevention are also on the agenda. These camps intend to instill life skills, values, and an understanding of children’s rights and responsibilities, preparing participants for various stages of personal and societal development.”

The objectives of the Summer Camps include enhancing personal character; building confidence; and cultivating skills through cultural and sporting activities.

The camps also provide a comprehensive education component that imparts essential life skills, values, and attitudes for survival.

Added Mr. McKulsky: “by creating an environment that fosters positive relationships between parents and children across generations, the camps contribute to the strengthening of family bonds. Moreover, the camps serve as a platform to generate interest in participatory governance, further promoting the initiatives of the Social Development Commission”.

The success of the initiative is also hinged on the collaboration between the SDC, Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Centre Management Committees (CCMCs), stakeholders, and political representatives.

There was participation from several agencies to include the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) as well as the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).

“Through participation in fun learning activities, attendees developed social and interpersonal skills, as well as improved conflict resolution abilities. These camps also contributed to increased knowledge about human rights education, particularly the Child Care and Protection Act,” Mr. McKulsky explained. “By engaging young people in volunteerism and reducing the number of youths in need of social interventions due to lack of engagement, the programme creates a positive ripple effect in the community.”

The SDC Summer Camp Programme proposes, to not only to create a memorable summer experience, but also to empower a generation to become active contributors to their communities and society at large.

BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth: The capacity of the Black River Fire Station has increased to respond to the needs of the 65 communities it serves in St. Elizabeth following the construction of a new stationhouse.

Capital works to the tune of $77 million was expended on the facility to improve its working conditions.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness cut ribbon on February 21 marking the official opening event that was also attended by Minister of Local Government, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, and Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Mr. Stewart Beckford.

“An important element of public administration is that there are emergency services. If your Fire Brigade is not appropriately housed, your ability to respond will be limited, if at all,” shared PM Holness.

“The Black River Fire Station was established in 1934 and it went through a few phases of renovation, but it fell into a serious state of disrepair. The fire station is an important symbol of community in any country in the world.”

He also lauded the staff of the Black River Fire Station for their patience and professionalism exhibited during the project.

“I want to commend the men and women of the fire brigade because even though the circumstances a few months ago were less than ideal, I did not hear any complaints…the men and women still turned up and were always ready to render service when called,” added the Prime Minister.

“It is only fair that the Government compliments this genuine disposal to service within the ranks of the Jamaica Fire Brigade by giving you the appropriate facilities and equipment for you to effectively carry out your duties.”

In addition to the cost of the construction, $15m was spent on equipment and a further $7.8m on furnishing. The facility houses approximately 109 firefighters.

Minister McKenzie disclosed that approximately $1.1 billion have been sent to construct new fire stations at Barnett Street in Montego Bay; Old Harbour, Port Maria, and Yallahs.

“This newly constructed fire station will add to the list of facilities, Prime Minister, under your administration that have been completed since 2018. Presently work is advanced on the new Ulster Spring Fire Station being constructed at a cost of $153 million.”

According to the Minister, 19 fire stations have been renovated across the country. He also underscored the Government’s performance acquisition of two fire boats for the JFB.

“For years, the Brigade operated without, and I’m pleased to announce that in this new financial year, a third boat at a cost of US$7 million will be added to the capacity of the Brigade to respond on sea and even land if it becomes necessary.”

The scope of works for the new-look Black River Fire Station included the addition of female and male dormitories; offices for the ground command; paving of the compound; erection of perimeter fencing; and drainage improvement.

PAGEE, St. Mary: Three houses with a combined value of J$26 million have been handed over in the parishes of Hanover and St. Mary under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s (MLGCD) Indigent Housing Programme since the start of the year.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, on February 12 presented the keys to a two-bedroom unit in the community of Pagee in Port Maria.

The proud beneficiary was Claudia Green, a 59-year-old physically challenged resident, who received the $10m housing solution.

Ms. Green joins 82-year-old Kathrine Miller and 60-year-old Carlton Kent who received their units from Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Chambers Pen, Hanover on January 19.

Ms. Miller was presented with a $10m two-bedroom home with solar water heaters, while Mr. Kent got a $6m studio unit. All three houses are fully furnished.

Prime Minister Holness said the presentation symbolised a brighter future for the individuals who have long faced housing challenges.

“I believe that two more houses are under construction,” he said at the time.

The MLGCD reintroduced the Indigent Housing Programme in 2017 under its Municipal Social Assistance Programme.

Through the Indigent Housing Programme, the Ministry has completed at least 65 units islandwide with work ongoing on others.

Applicants for the Indigent Housing Programme are screened through the Poor Relief Departments, where an investigation and verification procedure are carried out to establish the need.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that the Government was addressing infrastructure and other needs in Chambers Pen- the pilot community under the Rural Development Programme launched in June 2022.

“The road, the water, electricity, this Administration has done it. You also wanted good schools and access to health care. We are paying attention to your needs.”

Minister McKenzie also congratulated the new homeowners, noting the sense of pride that comes with having safe and secure housing. He also said that the Hanover Municipal Corporation, through the Poor Relief Department, will continue to monitor and ensure that the houses remain in good condition.

“I’m proud to be back here. The turnout today is just an indication of the appreciation and the respect that the community of Chambers Pen has. We will still continue to work with you to improve conditions in your community,” he pledged.

MONTEGO BAY, S. James: An organizational restructuring exercise has been proposed for the Social Development Commission (SDC) in a bid to improve its effectiveness and relevance.

Honourable Desmond McKenzie says the SDC, which falls under the ambits of his Portfolio Ministry- Local Government and Community Development – stressed that the agency must be able to respond to new social challenges in communities and formulate strategies to successfully address them.

“There has to be a new way for the SDC. We will be looking at the structure of the organization to see where the weakness exists and how we can strengthen what we have,” he said during a meeting with SDC executives and parish managers on February 2 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

“It is clear that within the organization we have the capability and capacity to make things work… After the Local Government Election, I am going to arrange for training to be able to respond to some of the things to help us.”

The SDC is the principal community organization agency working with Jamaica’s 775 communities. Its legal mandate is to inter alia, “promote and control schemes for, and to do any act or thing which may directly or indirectly serve the advancement of sport, social, cultural & economic development – for the people of Jamaica and workers in particular”.

According to Minister McKenzie, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has echoed the intention of the government to take a different approach to stem incidents of domestic violence across the country.

“The Prime Minister indicates that the Government will create an entity that will be the hinge-pin for violent resolution. The organization needs to focus on lifestyle in the community. These are not areas outside of the reach of the SDC,” the Minister explained.

“The SDC must now move from the antiquated era and step into the modern era. The programmes need to reflect reality. There is a need for social intervention, and this is where the SDC comes in.”

Minister McKenzie also shared that the SDC will play a vital role in the recently-announced SPARK Programme.

The SPARK (Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network) Programme is a $20 billion road-improvement project to modernise more than 2,000 roads islandwide.

“The programme is not for the elective representative to determine how the roads will be selected. The role of the SDC is to be the body that coordinates the consultation in various parishes,” added the Minister.

TRYSEE, ST. Ann: The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has inked a contract FSC Construction Works Limited to undertake the rehabilitation of the Trysee Main Road in Brown’s Town, St. Ann.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie gave residents the assurance that the scope of work will include the installation of proper drainage to preserve the road.

“We have taken a conscious decision that you can’t construct a road without drains [or] sidewalks because all you would be doing is making a bad investment in something that will not last,” he said on Tuesday (February 6) during the ceremony for the contract signing.

“So, what we are doing on major roads is to ensure that we put in sewerage, we put in facilities for cable, so when we put down the road, we don’t have to dig it up again.”

Work is expected to begin on February 12, 2024 and last for six months.

Minister McKenzie also thanked the residents of Trysee for their patience, noting that consultations were done with the community a little over a year ago.

“When the work is completed, I will be coming back here to cut the ribbon and walk with you on the road,” the Minister added.

Miss Krystal Lee, Member of Parliament for St. Ann North Western, expressed gratitude to Minister McKenzie for the project.

“We are here today, not because of any promise, but because of a commitment that you gave a little over a year ago…we are happy to say commitment made and it’s been kept,” said MP Lee.

“On behalf of the constituency and the residents of the Trysee community, we want to thank you and the team for coming through with this for us, and we are looking forward for the project to be done in short order and to be built to the best standards.”

TOWER ISLE, St. Mary: The 103 new recruits of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) have been tasked with increasing the value of the special agency to the people of Jamaica.

“You have taken on a tremendous responsibility, to maintain and enhance the esteem in which the JFB is held, and to increase the value of this,” read remarks from Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“Your value, however, goes beyond firefighting and fire protection. You are now members of a noble profession, and of an institution that has built up high traditions and public respect over the last 151 years. Your uniform is a powerful symbol of discipline, efficiency, and credibility – qualities that the Fire Brigade is associated with all over this country.”

Minister McKenzie was represented by Mr. Junior Rose, the Ministry’s Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Policy Research.

The new firefighters- 86 men and 17 women- were officially presented during a graduation ceremony on December 9 at the Madge Saunders Conference Centre in Tower Isle, St. Mary.

The Minister also reassured the new firefighters that they will be able to respond to the challenges of the profession with confidence, as the leadership of the JFB and the Government are investing in the agency’s transformation to include the construction and renovation of fire stations.

“More equipment is being obtained to continue the modernization of the Brigade. Your ability to prevent fires through building inspections, public education, fire investigations, and hydrant maintenance is being expanded,” noted Minister McKenzie.

“The new structure of the JFB approved by the Ministry of Finance, is facilitating a new level of service through the Fire Safety Prevention and Investigation Division.”

He also underscored that the graduates are entering the JFB Jamaica at one of the most exciting points in its history.

“You will become part of the change that is taking place, and I am confident that you will make your mark. You have made a highly consequential career choice,” the Minister stated.

“I am grateful to you for your decision to give national service through the Jamaica Fire Brigade. I pray that you will achieve every success, as you give your all in the service of your fellow citizens.”

The new cohort of firefighters were also exposed to disciplines such as Nuclear and Radiation Emergencies; Water Rescue; Electric Hybrid Motor Vehicle Response; and Emergency Medical Technician Training prior to their graduation.

They represent the 25^th Intake of recruits into the Brigade.