Two more indigent houses handed over in St. Mary

Posted on January 23, 2023

Two additional indigent housing solutions with a cost tag of J$9.5 million were handed over in St. Mary on Friday (January 20).

The beneficiaries are 64-year-old Shirley Nugent of Hamilton Mountain near Oracabessa and George Simms, an 83-year-old resident of Heywood Hall, Port Maria. Miss Nugent and Mr. Simms received their keys to a $4.5m studio unit and a one-bedroom unit valued at $5m, respectively, under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s Indigent Housing Programme.

“It is the intention of this administration to ensure that those persons who are in need of proper housing (have the opportunity to access this),” said Portfolio Minister Desmond McKenzie.

He also noted that the Government is committed to improving the housing stock across the country; and that as part of this mandate, more housing solutions are to be rolled out to meet the demand for housing.

“We in the (Ministry of) Local Government are playing our part in contributing to the housing stock of the country as announced by the Most Honourable Prime Minister.”

Minister McKenzie disclosed that $27.5m has been invested in social housing for the parish of St. Mary.

The self-contained St. Mary housing units were constructed using concrete, block, and steel, with full bathroom suite, counter tops and cupboards for the kitchen, and a living/sleeping area. The units were also equipped with water tanks.

Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary, says four indigent housing units have been approved under the Indigent Housing Programme for the parish. To date, three have been completed and handed over while the fourth house in under construction.

“We really applaud this programme…we were dependent on Food for the Poor, who over the years, have assisted us greatly in this regard in providing housing for our citizens. But this programme has taken new light where we see quality houses made of block and steel… and the finishing are very well done. I would like to commend Minister McKenzie for taking this programme to another level,” he said.

The Indigent Housing Programme is designed to specifically address the challenges of substandard housing under the Ministry’s Municipal Social Assistance Programme (MSAP).

Applicants for the programme are screened through the Poor Relief Department in each municipality.

Port Maria family gets new home -Solution built under the Ministry of Local Government’s Indigent Housing Programme

Posted on January 18, 2023

PORT MARIA, St. Mary: A family from Crane Park in Port maria is the latest beneficiary of a J$9 million indigent housing solution from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The family’s matriarch Norma ‘Peaches’ Folkes accepted the keys to her new two-bedroom concrete dwelling from Prime Minister Andrew Holness during a ceremony at Crane Park in Port Maria on January 13.

“Your house is quite dignified,” the Prime Minister Holness said of the quality design and features.

“I hold the view and continue to hold that not because someone is poor that they should get poor housing. I believe that shelter, along with education, are the critical elements of poverty response.”

Miss Folkes and her family’s living situation was compromised by severe flooding in 2021. Built to prevent flooding, the new house is made of reinforced concrete with a tropical design and sloped roof for water harvesting. It was outfitted with beds, dressers, a stove, dining table and chairs, and washtub.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie recalled that he learnt of Ms. Folkes’ plight during a visit to St. Mary following the 2021 flood rains that severely impacted the parish.

“The house that Peaches and her family occupied was totally flooded out and the cry was that Peaches needs help,” the Minister shared.

He said he gave instructions for the Municipal Corporation and the Ministry’s Technical Director to move with swiftness to assist the family.

The Indigent Housing Programme is designed to specifically address the challenges of substandard housing by providing more effective ways to respond to the needs of citizens for decent shelter. Applicants for the programme are screened through the Poor Relief Department in each municipality.

Additionally, the applicant must provide proof of ownership of the land on which the shelter solution is to be constructed or of being legally entitled to build on such land.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that the Government is taking steps to ensure that those in dire need are provided with houses.

“There are two programmes of the Government to treat with issues of social housing. One programme is the New Social Housing Programme, [under] which you see me, almost every week, presenting to beneficiaries new housing solutions constructed for them,” he explained.

“…Then there is the Indigent Housing Programme, which is part of the responsibility of the Ministry of Local Government to assist persons who have been established as poor and who have had some form of disaster, or impacted by some event, in their life – such as, for example, a flooding or a fire, or a landslide, or the collapse of their house – and they are not in a position to recover or respond positively to those kinds of disaster events,” he added.

Holness said that the Local Government Ministry is aiming to assist some 100 cases annually.

Port Maria, St. Mary gets new multi-million fire station

Posted on January 16, 2023

PORT MARIA, St. Mary: Prime Minster Andrew Holness officially opened the new J$258 million Port Maria Fire Station during a special ceremony in St. Mary on January 13.

 

“We are expecting that with this new facility, the morale of our firefighters will be improved, their capabilities to respond will improve, the relationship between firefighting services and the community will improve, and the entire township/parish capital will feel a renewed sense that Jamaica is paying attention to their needs,” said the Prime Minister in the keynote address.

He maintained that the construction of the new fire station is part of the Government’s strategy of building resilience.

The facility was built under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) aimed at bolstering Jamaica’s resilience against disaster and climate risks and improving the country’s capacity to plan for, reduce and mange the effects of climate change. The DVRP is funded by a loan from the World Bank.

According to Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the historic levels of investment in fire equipment, fire trucks, fire stations and the recruitment of new members into the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) reflects the Government’s determination to increase the effectiveness of local government through modern fire prevention and fire response services.

“The construction and handing over of the Port Maria Fire Station is a testament to the vital importance of foresight, strategic clarity, determination, and partnership. However, it is much more than that. It is not just a brand-new fire station that will serve the people of Port Maria and its environs,” he underscored.

“It is also the latest component of an unprecedented infrastructure of social protection and national asset management, that the Government is building through the services of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.”

The building that housed the former Port Maria Fire Station was closed in 2006. The JFB operated in rented premises at various locations in the Port Maria area following the closure.

The firefighters moved into the new facility last November.

The Port Maria Fire Station, which was completed over three years, was implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Since 2016, approximately J$7 billion has been spent on strengthening the Brigade’s operational capacity.

The J$580m JFB Area 4 Headquarters at Barnett Street in Montego Bay, St James, and the J$162.6m Yallahs Fire Station in St Thomas were also built under the DVRP and handed over last year.

January 8-14 Is Earthquake Awareness Week

Posted on January 10, 2023

KINGSTON, Jan. 6 (JIS):

                The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is spearheading a series of activities for Earthquake Awareness Week 2023 from January 8-14.

Under the theme: ‘Drop, Cover, Hold…Earthquake Readiness Is Within Your Control,’ the observance will see the ODPEM heightening its public education campaign to increase awareness about the ever-present natural threat.

The ODPEM will launch the week with a live outside broadcast (OB) from its Haining Road offices on Monday (Jan. 9),  where representatives will outline the various activities for the week.

These include an earthquake awareness exhibition to be held at parish libraries across the island on January 11 to promote earthquake safety and knowledge among students of all ages.

Earthquake awareness day for businesses will take place on January 12 and these entities are being encouraged to conduct drills.

On January 13, the ODPEM, in collaboration with the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, will engage citizens in another live OB to encourage persons to participate in an all-island drill scheduled for that day.

A fact sheet issued by the ODPEM, says that Jamaica’s geographic location, along the northern margin of the Caribbean Plate and the presence of an active fault line, makes the country vulnerable to earthquakes.

With the constant threat of seismic activity, citizens are being urged to take the necessary precautions and arm themselves with knowledge and information about earthquakes.

Persons can contact the ODPEM via telephone at (876) 906-9674-5 or send an email to [email protected].  

NSWMA launches Operation Sweep Cop – Special initiative to improve public cleansing operations during the festive season

Posted on December 16, 2022

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has expanded its operations with the introduction of ‘Operation Sweep Cop’ for the festive season.

‘Operation Sweep Cop’, outfitted with 10 motorcycles and eight new trucks, is tasked with ensuring proper waste disposal among Jamaicans. The team will work to enforce and enhance public cleansing operations and programmes.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie said that there will be a strong push to ensure effective garbage collection with a special initiative.

“Over the Christmas there will be a special programme that will be rolled out in the NSWMA and the various municipalities in dealing with town centres and market districts across Jamaica for a special clean-up programme during the Christmas period,” he said noting that 10 sweep-cleaning machines will be acquired as part of the innovative approach to garbage collection.

“We are not going to allow any unruly behaviours to push aside the efforts of having a clean Christmas, we are not only committing to a clean Christmas but to a clean Jamaica so that we can return to the good old days.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness also urged Jamaicans to practice greater personal responsibility in their waste disposal, with the launch of the initiative.

“The enhancement and the enforcement are important. I want you to not just focus on the enhance services that means more garbage compactors; I want you to also focus on the enforcement,” said the Prime Minister during the recent hand-over of 50 new trucks and 10 bikes to NSWMA.

“No matter how many garbage trucks we purchase, if someone driving in a taxi drinking a sweet drink — which they shouldn’t be drinking in the first place – and having finished it just decided to throw it out the window and it lands in the virgates and as you drive through Jamaica, it is very sad.”

The new units were acquired at a cost of US$6.9 million and increased the company’s fleet to 129.

The bikes were purchased for the Enforcement and Compliance Unit of the NSWMA in a bid to help identify, report and initiate prosecution of people who are breaching the company’s regulations.

Twelve trucks were sent to the Western Parks and Markets, 10 to Metropolitan Parks and Markets, 10 to Southern Parks and Markets, 10 to North Eastern Parks and Markets, and eight for the roving team under ‘Operation Sweep Cop’.

Westmoreland family gets indigent housing solution

Posted on December 13, 2022

A family of four in Moreland Hill near Little London, Westmoreland is the recent beneficiary of a housing solution d under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s Indigent Housing Programme.

The two-bedroom house, built at a cost of J$10 million, was officially handed over on December 9.

“My greatest wish has come true because I wanted the family to have a home for this Christmas and I think this is going to be a beautiful Christmas for the family. We are searching, finding, and gradually doing what we can to assist those persons who are in need,” said Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

The unit was fully furnished to include a stove, refrigerator, washing machine, beds, televisions, fans, and a couch.

The beneficiaries are Winsome Jones; her common-law husband Barrington McIntosh; and daughters Candice Coke and Antoinette Bowers. A wheelchair ramp was also built to provide ease of access to Miss Jones, who is wheelchair-bound.

“It is a great joy to be in this new and spacious house,” Miss Jones stated. “They have really set me up with this house. This Christmas will be sweet having my family in a space suitable for family bonding.”

Miss Jones worked as a farmer before losing one of her legs because of a medical condition. She also thanked Minister McKenzie for improving the living conditions of her family who shared a dilapidated two-room wooden structure.

Cold Hill Road, the parochial roadway that had deteriorated into a track leading to Miss Jones’ home, was also rehabilitated at a cost of J$7m.

Minister McKenzie also used the occasion to report on solutions in Westmoreland under the Indigent Housing Programme.
A J$12.5 million three-bedroom unit will be built in Grange Hill, while a J$4.2 million one-bedroom unit is under construction at Lennox Bigwoods. A J$9 million two-bedroom house is also planned for construction.

“The next time I come back to Westmoreland, I will be opening the long overdue male ward at the Westmoreland Infirmary that costs over $60 million…fully furnished for the residents of the infirmary in Savanna-la-Mar.”

Technology coming to aid garbage collection

Posted on December 8, 2022December 8, 2022

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie says technology will be introduced to transform solid waste management services across the island.

“In the new financial year, we are going to introduce technology in sweep cleaning. We are going to be bringing at least 10 of these sweep cleaning machines into the system as part of the new revolutionary approach to garbage collection and street sweeping in the country,” he said.

Minister McKenzie was speaking at a special ceremony on November 30 where Prime Minister Andrew Holness handed over 50 new garbage trucks and 10 motorcycles to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

He added that the NSWMA’s enforcement team has received the requisite tools with the motorcycles.

“The bikes will make them more efficient, to go around the country to monitor and to see where illegal dumping is taking place. They will be in a position to issue more tickets.”

The trucks were programmed for acquisition prior to the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. However, those plans were delayed due to the economic fallout resulting from the pandemic, which saw government revenue inflows declining by J$75 billion that year.

The NSWMA provides solid waste management services across the island and safeguards public health as well as creates aesthetically-pleasing environment for both residents and visitors to experience.

Dr Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, also announced that 50 more garbage trucks will be acquired from the capital expenditure budget next year.

“Although we like to wait until March to announce the budget for the year that follows, some things are too important to wait until March. I want to confirm what has already been said, that we have already reserved space in the capital expenditure budget for 50 more trucks in 2023/2024,” he shared.

NSWMA Chairman, Dennis Chung, expressed gratitude for the new units and for the additional 50 trucks that will arrive in the country next year.

“Jamaica is grateful,” he said and urged Jamaicans to dispose of their garbage properly.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade welcomes 106 new recruits

Posted on December 7, 2022April 29, 2025

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) welcomed 106 new recruits – 86 males and 20 females – who are all certified Emergency Medical Responders.

The cohort of Intake Number 24 is the fourth graduating batch to get this certification which is among twenty disciplines that the new firefighters have been trained. The new recruits will be deployed to fire stations across the island.

“Intake number 24 contains the largest proportion of females in any graduating batch of recruits to date. In saying welcome to you all, I want to thank the ladies especially, for answering the call to serve in this way,” said Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

He was giving the main address at the graduation ceremony held at the Madge Saunders Conference Centre in Tower Isle, St. Mary on December 3.

The Minister also highlighted that the JFB continues to perform as an elite unit, with workers proudly relishing their role as first responders.

“The Jamaica Fire Brigade is an institution that can be considered one of the most disciplined institutions in Jamaica,” he noted.

“We continue to see the results of that discipline [day in and day out] and I want to say to the Commissioner (Stewart Beckford) that while we will hear of members of other organizations getting into trouble, I can recall only once in my seven years as Minister of a firefighter doing something [other than doing what his job requires]. This speaks to the level of discipline that exists in the Jamaica Fire Brigade.”

Minister McKenzie also implored the new recruits to maintain the department’s impeccable track record of discipline and not allowing themselves to be tainted by anything that would bring dishonour to the organization.

“Do not allow a strong track record of performance of discipline to be spoiled. You have a role to play… not just in putting out fires and saving lives, but also to be role models for the communities that you are from.’

The Local Government Minister also used the opportunity to offer condolences to the JFB and the family of 25-year-old firefighter Larenzo Douse, who was killed on December 2 after a vehicle crashed into the back of a fire truck in Ocho Rios, St. Ann during a work call.

Mr. Douse was stationed at the Ocho Rios Fire Station.

NSWMA boosts fleet with 50 new trucks

Posted on December 2, 2022December 5, 2022

Fifty new trucks and 10 motorcycles, valued at approximately US$6.9 million, were handed over to boost the operational capacity of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

Prime Minister Andrew Holness did the handover of the units during a special ceremony at National Heroes Park on November 30.

“With the arrival of these 50 trucks, I am advised that the total fleet now stands at 129 garbage trucks. The new units were manufactured in China and purchased from Tankweld Limited, the local dealers for the Shacman brand of garbage trucks in Jamaica.,” he said.

“It should be noted that the delays in getting the units were not only because of the procurement process, but they were also delayed because of the shutdowns and disruption in supply chains, and that the production schedule itself was interrupted.”

The 50 new trucks have been allocated across the island. Twelve trucks will go to the Western Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited; 10 for Metropolitan Parks and Market Waste Management Limited; 10 to Southern Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited; 10 for North Eastern Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited. The remaining eight will form part of a roving team dubbed ‘Strategically Working to Enforce and Enhance Public Cleansing Operations and Programmes’ (SWEEP COP).

According to PM Holness, the acquisition represents a major achievement in building the capacity of the NSWMA, adding that between 2016 and 2020, a total of 65 new garbage trucks were purchased.

He also noted that the Government has made calculated decisions to effectively manage the affairs of the country and has positioned it for economic growth.

“So, today we are standing here as a result of those decisions, making the point that we came through a pandemic, we are recovering, the country has forgotten about the pandemic already, we are looking forward to a great future and we are able to continue the capital expenditure, not just in NSWMA but right across all sectors in Jamaica. This is a major achievement.”

Mr. Holness argued that the acquisition of the trucks and the motorcycles will improve the increasing demand for garbage collection in communities islandwide.

“We have been very forthright with the public, and we have said that as a Government, we are not satisfied… We have tried with the resources that we have to maximise our ability to respond to the growing garbage-collection issue,” he said.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER MOURNS TRAGIC MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A YOUNG FIREFIGHTER, APPEALS FOR GOOD SENSE TO RETURN TO THE ROADS

Posted on December 1, 2022April 29, 2025

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie is mourning the tragic death of firefighter Larenzo Douse, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Ocho Rios St. Ann, at approximately 2:40 this afternoon. Mr. Douse was killed after a motorist overtook a line of traffic along the Ocho Rios Main Road in the vicinity of Reynolds Pier, and crashed into the back of a fire truck parked at the side of the road.

 

“The crew had just finished a fire-fighting operation in the area. In fact the firemen had just finished their shift, and were replacing the equipment in the back of the truck. At that moment, Fire-fighter Douse was alone at the back, putting a pump into the fire truck when the car slammed into the fire truck, crushing him. He was taken to Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

“Larenzo Douse was a very young firefighter with his whole life ahead of him. He joined the Jamaica Fire Brigade at the tender age of 19 and served for 6 years, and just celebrated his 25^th birthday on November 13. The grief at his terrible demise is being felt beyond the Ocho Rios Fire Station, where he was stationed, and goes all the way into the St. Catherine Division, where young Larenzo’s father is a serving Assistant Superintendent.

 

“This is yet another instance of the tragedy, grief, pain and bitterness that is caused by personal irresponsibility, in this case by a motorist who overtook a line of traffic, rather than trying to reach a chosen destination by obeying the rules of the road. I appeal to all users of our roads to make your personal contribution to national road safety, by simply obeying the rules of the road.

 

“I have no words to demonstate how I feel about this incident. I know that the Commissioner of the Fire Brigade and a host of personnel are personally extending themselves to offer support. I can only say that I deeply grieve this destruction of a young life, and I hope that in the coming days, when the question “why” will be asked again and again, that the immediate family and friends of Firefighter Larenzo Douse will eventually experience some level of healing. May he rest in peace and light eternal shine on him.”