CHASE Fund to donate two ambulances to Local Gov’t Ministry

Posted on June 26, 2023

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has donated two ambulances to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to boost the emergency medical services at its infirmaries.

Minister Desmond McKenzie in disclosing the partnership, stated that the St. Elizabeth Infirmary in Santa Cruz will benefit from one of the vehicles.

“An ambulance, fully equipped, is important for the survival of this facility. We continue to make significant investments in our infirmaries. The Government will not spare anything at all to ensure that our infirmaries are in good working order,” he said during a tour of the St. Elizabeth Infirmary on June 21.

The Minister McKenzie explained that having a dedicated unit ensures prompt, life-saving medical assistance for the facility’s 49 residents – 27 males and 22 females, as the infirmary is “miles away” from the nearest hospital.

According to Mayor of Black River, Councillor Derrick Sangster, the ambulance will provide essential support during emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents.

“The infirmary is located some distance from the hospital, but even more so, in times of hurricane, we have to make arrangements with private individuals to transport the residents to other locations should the infirmary become inundated with storm water,” he said.

“So, the ambulance will be a welcome addition to the infirmary to assist in that sort of process.”

Assistant Matron at the St Elizabeth Infirmary, Veronic Roach, noted that the ambulance will bring hope and assurance for the residents and staff alike.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie said that plans are underway for the opening of the new administrative block at the infirmary.

“I am really impressed with the work that the Matron and the team have been doing to maintain this facility,” added Minister McKenzie.

He stressed that the therapeutic park at the St. Elizabeth Infirmary, established in 2019 as the first of its kind, offers a serene environment for relaxation and serves as a place of healing for the residents.

McKenzie said that similar parks are being introduced in other infirmaries across the island, with Manchester, St. James and St. Mary Infirmaries already completed. Therapeutic parks at the Hanover and St. Catherine Infirmaries are under construction.

Gov’t to undertake repair of Musgrave Market

Posted on June 26, 2023

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will undertake the repairs to the fire-ravaged Musgrave Market in Port Antonio.

“The repairs, management and operations of the Musgrave Market is the sole prerogative of the Portland Municipal Corporation and the Ministry of Local Government,” said Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie during a tour of the facility on June 16.

“I want to commend the Member of Parliament (Ann-Marie Vaz of East Portland) for the effort that she has made in going out there and raising funds to assist the vendors. She must be commended for it.”

The Minister used the opportunity to reemphasize that there are no plans to divest the facility, which is operated by the Portland Municipal Corporation.

“I welcome any private individual who wants to come and help with the restoration of the market. But if they are coming, they have to come through the process that exists which is the municipality and the Ministry of Local Government.”

The Musgrave Market was destroyed on May 28 in a blaze that left some 200 registered vendors displaced and affected several nearby businesses. The Ministry has already released $10 million to begin the clean-up exercise of the market.

“I must say that I am pleased with the effort made by the municipality to under the clean-up exercise. The renovation work will be done on a professional basis and not on a political basis,” Minister McKenzie stressed.

He also mentioned that the renovation will be undertaken following the completion of the designs and procurement processes.

“We are looking at a number of designs and once we have agreed on that there is the procurement part of it. We have to ensure that whatever is done is done in a transparent way. The process will take some time…the money is in the Ministry to undertake the repairs to the Musgrave Market.”

To date, Members of Parliament Daryl and Ann-Marie Vaz have launched a special fund from which each vendor received a $100,000 grant.

Minister McKenzie urges use of transportation centres – Move will reduce traffic congestion and strengthen public order

Posted on June 23, 2023April 29, 2025

Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, is calling for strict law enforcement, and a credible agreement among transport stakeholders to tackle traffic congestion and public disorder on the nation’s streets.

“The time has come for operators and commuters to use the facilities that were built for them, and to seriously bring back order to our public spaces,” he said.

“My charge to you today, is to use this Conference to work out a clear and simple set of arrangements, consistent with the laws of the land, that will be implemented quickly, and that everyone will live by without exception. I am further challenging you to make this happen no later than the start of the new school term in September.”

The Minister’s charge came at the stakeholder conference for the review of the public transportation system in Jamaica, which was held at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in Kingston on June 15.

Given extensive work undertaken over the years to build out new public transportation hubs and to improve existing facilities; Minister McKenzie held that   the fundamental problem is the attitudes of transport operators, and the commuters who facilitate them.

“The excuse used to be that existing transport centres were in bad condition. When they were refurbished, they were still not used. Then it was said that new facilities were needed. When new ones were built in Linstead and Clarks Town, they remain empty,” he shared.

“The long-standing practice of using the roads as pick-up and drop-off zones cannot continue. It is not only an eyesore. It prohibits the free flow of traffic, not only for pedestrians and motorists generally, but also for the Jamaica Fire Brigade and their emergency medical service ambulances.”

Minister McKenzie also used the opportunity to laud the inclusion of Local Government at the Conference, stating that the current situation presents major challenges to the public and spatial order that Jamaica needs, if it is truly to become a developed country.

“A process of this nature is not strictly limited to the movement of people from one place to another. It is also about public order through effective traffic management. It involves the infrastructure and enforcement agents within our Municipalities, specifically, the Transport Centres and the Municipal Police, for which the Local Authorities are responsible.”

Rehabilitation of Markets- Priority for 2023/2024 Fiscal Year

Posted on June 16, 2023

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will sustain its comprehensive Markets Rehabilitation Programme during the current fiscal year.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie said upcoming projects include the Savanna-la-Mar Market in Westmoreland and the Charles Gordon Market, St. James.

“The projects to come include the Savanna-La-Mar Market Phase 1, which will cost $20 million. This is part of a $70 million project, to be built out over two years. Phase One of the Charles Gordon Market in St. James, slated to cost $8 million and the reconstruction of Highgate Market in St. Mary,” he announced during his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

“Attention will also be paid to the Alexandria Market in St. Ann, and the Buff Bay Market in Portland. The first phase of the Buff Bay Market will cost over $20 million, and this is part of a 3-year, $120 million rehabilitation programme for this market.”

The Markets Rehabilitation Programme introduced two years ago in a bid to transform and repair the public facilities.

According to the Minister “markets are important economic hubs that create contact between urban and rural communities. They have much to contribute to the rural development process”.

During the last financial year, the Stony Hill Market in St. Andrew was completed at a cost of $7m. The Clarks Town Market project in Trelawny was finally completed and works at the Hopewell Market in Hanover were done at a cost of $24m.

There are more than 35 markets in Jamaica, many of which were built more than 100 years ago.

“The struggle to build out and maintain a modern network of markets is intense. We grapple with the reality of markets being burned down in whatever circumstances, as we work to build new ones. As you are aware, we are working to rebuild the Highgate Market (St. Mary), which burned down last year,” noted Minister McKenzie.

“The drawings for the Highgate are almost completed. The people of Alexandria, your wait is coming to an end because the funds will be provided in this financial year.”

The most recent market fire occurred on May 28 at the Musgrave Market in Port Antonio, Portland. The facility as well as nearby facilities were extensively damaged by the blaze.

The Minister added that once the facilities are completed, he expects vendors to operate inside them to earn their livelihoods while making their contribution to public order.

“I also want to indicate that consultations are now being facilitated, with the objective of developing a unified approach to vending. This will ensure that once and for all, the development and expansion of our markets will occur by consensus, in tandem with the re-establishment of public order.”

Monies allocated for Port Maria Tsunami Early Warning System

Posted on June 7, 2023April 29, 2025

The town of Port Maria, St. Mary will receive a $17 million Tsunami Early Warning System during the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

“The ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) will collaborate with the National Works Agency, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Water Resources Authority of Jamaica to implement the System,” announced Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, during his 2023 Sectoral Presentation in Gordon House last month.

“In addition to the siren that would be triggered when waters exceed a prescribed level, the System will produce data that will ultimately help to produce a Flood Prediction Model.”

Last January, Port Maria was almost submerged after heavy rains pelted the eastern parish and left more than 800 households and businesses of various sizes affected.

“I stated in my last presentation that the town would be next in line for a Tsunami Early Warning System, following its implementation in Old Harbour Bay (St.  Catherine). I am pleased to announce that an additional $17 million has been allocated to the Ministry to provide this System for Port Maria,” Minister McKenzie stated.

The Tsunami Early Warning System will complement the Community Flood Alert Systems Improvement Project – a mechanism developed to inform people in flood-prone areas that flooding is possible or imminent. When a threat occurs, the System gives an alarm so that preventative action can be taken.

During the last financial year, Flood Alert Systems were implemented at Benson Ford in St. Andrew, and Aenon Town and Alley in Clarendon.

The first phase of the project involved the erection of public education and flood warning signs. Community flood gauges showing the movement of water levels and stages of danger were installed at Thatchwalk Bridge in Aenon Town and Alley Bridge. Traffic control gates are also being built at Alley Bridge.

The ODPEM held consultations with the residents of these communities and Community Emergency Response Teams were formed.

The final phase of the project involved the installation of remote flood monitoring and automation systems that were recently completed to coincide with the June 1 start of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

“Through the use of sensors that will be attached to the bridges, a Real Time Remote Flood Monitoring System will collect data and transmit text messages and email to all stakeholders, so they can make informed and rapid decisions. This real time alert system will also feature horns and lights, so that people in these vulnerable areas can hear and see that danger is at hand,” added the Minister.

The ODPEM’s capacity to provide relief supplies will be expanded by an extra $17m. Emergency storage facilities in the ODPEM’s Eastern and Western Regions Work will be rehabilitated with a further $10m.

“Overall, an additional $50 million has been allocated to this critical institution, to ensure total readiness for natural and man-made disasters, including the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season.”

Development approvals nets $1 trillion in Govt revenues

Posted on June 7, 2023

The central role of the local authorities and the Jamaica Fire Brigade in the development approval process continues to add value to economic and social fabric of the country.

“Since 2016, 37,577 applications were received for processing. The value of the applications approved is $1 Trillion, 499 million!” stated Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“It goes to show that in the scheme of things, local government is in the big league. Housing projects cannot happen without local government. Commercial activity cannot happen without local government. Tourism, our biggest foreign exchange earner, cannot happen without local government. There is no development small or large, that is not subject to the development approvals process.”

He was speaking recently during his 2023 Sectoral Presentation.

Most approvals were done within the 90-day benchmark time.

Construction is one of the most skills-driven and labour-intensive sectors in the world- employing engineers, skilled and casual workers, artisans, and a wide range of goods and service providers. This is also the case in Jamaica.

Some 5,945 applications were received for the 2022 calendar year, reflecting an investment value of $264.8 billion. There was a 150% increase in the number of applications received for resort developments with 73% being for larger resorts.

There was a 5% increase in the number of commercial development applications, with 49% of these applications being for larger developments.

Additionally, there was a 5.4% increase in the number of large residential development applications submitted.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work of the local authorities and the agencies that together, undertake the huge responsibilities critical to assessing development applications in Jamaica,” said Minister McKenzie.

“I also want to remind the House that the three Boards established under the Building Act – the Building Practitioners Board, the Building Appeals Tribunal, and the Building Advisory Council – are all operational and available to the public.”

The Minister also added that the approval rate has not dipped below 84% in more than 10 years. He emphasized that structural safety, zonal compliance, and environmental integrity are the most prominent issues when applications are considered.

“Applications for large and more complex developments, such as apartments and hotels, some of which are over 300 square meters in size, will take longer to assess and in some cases have to be sent back for adjustments if they are to be approved. We must remember too, that Jamaica is squarely within an earthquake zone. Our infrastructure has survived these tremors and quakes because of the rigor of the development approvals process.”

Ministry to release $10m for Musgrave Market clean-up exercise

Posted on June 5, 2023

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will release monies to the Portland Municipal Corporation to begin rehabilitative works at the Musgrave Market, which was gutted by fire on May 30.

“The Ministry will release $10 million from the Equalization Fund to Portland Municipal Corporation to commence clean up exercise and to provide a temporary market facility for the butchers in the parish once the public health department has signed off on the area” Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie announced on Thursday.

“I want to assure the vendors in Port Antonio of the Government’s commitment to ensure that we restore as best as possible the market. We are working with a private sector company through the kind assistance of Minister (Daryl) Vaz

(Member of Parliament for Portland Western) to come up with a concept for the market that will allow for much more space and allow vending to be done in an orderly fashion.”

The blaze at the Musgrave Market – located in Port Antonio – affected some 170 vendors. The fire also did extensive damage to private buildings in close proximity to the facility.

Minister McKenzie noted that he has received a preliminary report on the fire but will await a detailed report before releasing the findings. He also underscored that the market is fully insured and the insurance company has begun their own probe.

In the meantime, he said the ministry will be looking at ways of strengthening the market, which was given a $15m renovation three years ago.

“We have to find some innovative ways to ensure that our markets don’t end up like several markets that have gone up in flames.”

Plans to address illegal vending, especially in major town centres across the island, will be announced shortly

“It cannot be done by government alone,” the Minister stressed. “We are going to be inviting the private-sector businesses; it is everybody’s game. We will be saying a lot more on those efforts,” the Minister said.

Over the last year and half there have been 17 fires at markets across the island, costing the Ministry of Local Government in excess of $100 million to effect repairs.

Ministry of Local Government retains the Rural Development Programme

Posted on June 1, 2023

In keeping with the recent announcement by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has been reverted to the Ministry of Local and Community Development (MLGCD).

The MLGCD will retain the Rural Development Programme (RDP) portfolio for which work is progressing on the pilot project in Chambers Pen, Hanover.

“In addition to the works being implemented during this $223 million pilot project, activities surrounding the Rural Development Programme will expand beyond Hanover this financial year,” Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie disclosed in his Sectoral Presentation in the Houses of Parliament on May 30.

The communities of Cheswick, St. Thomas and Banks in Clarendon are set to benefit next from the RDP.

“As I indicated in my last presentation, work is in full progress at Chambers Pen in Hanover, the pilot for the Rural Development Programme. In addition to house wiring, roads, educational infrastructure and other amenities, the provision of potable water is a key feature of the project.”

Minister McKenzie also told the House that a $50m Chambers Pen Water Supply System was commissioned into service in February. As a result, some 1,500 persons in 300 households now have access to 52 thousand gallons of fresh water every day.

Approximately 360 black tanks were provided to households in the community, at a cost of $10m. Additionally, more than 200 houses were wired at a cost of $27m, and the Chambers Pen Basic School was rehabilitated at a cost of J$20 million.

“Tools and agricultural supplies were distributed to the farmers in this intensely agrarian community,” he added. “Ten million dollars was spent to construct two indigent houses, and two more are now being built, which will cost 18 million. Road repair and construction works are also being undertaken, at a cost of 84 million dollars.”

The RPD was announced by the Government in 2021 and I aimed at breathing new life into rural communities.

The Minister also noted that one of the important responsibilities that come with managing the local government system is the review of its strengths and weaknesses, and the determination of the measures that must be taken to make it stronger and better.

“After seven years that time has come, and in this respect, a special review mechanism is being developed, to involve representatives from a wide range of backgrounds, including former and current local government practitioners – to review and make recommendations. I will say more about this process in due course.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER CONDEMNS MURDER OF NSWMA EMPLOYEE

Posted on May 25, 2023May 25, 2023

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has strongly denounced the shooting of two employees of the NSWMA this morning in Portmore, St. Catherine, which resulted in one of them dying later, while the other remains hospitalized.

“We are still not sure about the reason for this attack. At about 8:30 yesterday morning, a full crew of sanitation workers was on duty in the vicinity of Portmore Community College, when two men walked up and shot two of the crew members. I am also advised that the men simply walked with guns in hand to a waiting motor car and drove away. This brazen act occurred in the presence of commuters, pedestrians and students, who have been traumatized by the experience. The police are investigating the incident, and I am confident the culprits will be found. I am also heartened by the many messages of sympathy and support that have been sent by people from all over Jamaica, to the management and staff of the NSWMA in this time of shock and grief. I also wish to express my support to the families of the victims, and to the wider NSWMA family.

“I call on all well-thinking, law-abiding Jamaicans to shun and expose criminals and criminality. These crew members were doing their jobs, making their contribution to a consistently clean Jamaica. I commend the operational staff and management who responded quickly after the incident, and I am assured that the Agency’s leadership is taking all practicable steps to protect the staff.”

Infirmaries to get trained psychiatrists this financial year

Posted on May 18, 2023

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) is moving to employ psychiatric nurses in infirmaries across Jamaica as it provides residents with mental health support.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie says the government-operated facilities will have a trained member of staff during this financial year.

The MLGRD has responsibility for the Board of Supervision, which oversees the Poor Relief Programme that tends to persons unable to provide for themselves. The clientele includes some who are institutionalized and live in the infirmaries; others living on their own; and the homeless.

“We are moving to add an additional complement of staffing support, and that is for the first time in our infirmaries a member of staff will be trained as a psychiatric nurse in dealing with the problems of mental health and other social cases that are in our infirmaries,” the Minister said at the official opening of the Falmouth Homeless Shelter in Trelawny on May 5.

“This is a first for infirmaries in Jamaica and it comes under this administration.”
Minister McKenzie added that while COVID-19 containment measures implemented at the infirmaries were generally successful, including the suspension of visitations, they have created mental stress among residents.
“Mental health is a serious problem because not all the persons who work within the facilities are trained to deal with mental-health cases,” he noted.
“I remember going to an infirmary, and I saw where they had to lock away three or four of the residents in an area by themselves because of the mental-health challenge that they posed.”
Training infirmary staff in psychiatry is one of several initiatives that the MLGRD is employing to improve the quality of life for those in state care. There is also an ongoing effort to ensure infirmaries across the country have access to ambulances. The local government ministry is working with the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports, and Education (CHASE) Fund on this.

“We have many infirmaries that are operating without these services. An ambulance is a very important part of the requirements, and I am pleased to announce that the parishes of St Elizabeth and Portland will benefit shortly from two brand new ambulances that will be provided by the CHASE Fund,” the Minister noted.

The restriction on visitors to the infirmaries was lifted on April 1 with special protocols to safeguard the residents.

Visits were suspended visits as well as the admission of new residents, and field trips for residents in a bid to stem the spread of the virus during the height of the pandemic.