Port Maria to get ‘Paint The City’ facelift

Posted on February 23, 2022April 29, 2025

PORT MARIA, St. Mary: The town of Port Maria is set to receive a $10 million makeover under the ‘Paint The City/Town’ initiative.

“Port Maria will benefit from the Government’s ‘Paint The Town’ programme through which we will be spending some $10 million to beautify the town over the next couple of months,” announced Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

He was speaking at a special meeting with business operators and residents at the Horace Clarke Transportation Centre in Port Maria on February 17.

The Minister also told the gathering that he has asked a working team to explore the prospects of a warning system for the rural township.

“I have asked the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to work with the other agencies in putting in a flood warning system and an alarm system in the town of Port Maria. I think that is long overdue, because at least it would give the residents an idea of what is happening,” he explained.

“It has worked in Old Harbour in St Catherine. At Old Harbour Bay, we have an early warning system that helps the residents to be on alert for possible flooding,” added McKenzie.

The parish of St. Mary, and in particular the town of Port Maria, was left flooded with extensive damage to a number of homes and businesses following heavy rains on February 1.

The St. Mary Municipal Corporation is also undertaking mopping up exercises to remove excess debris and clear blocked drains in and around the parish capital.

Minister McKenzie stated as well that river training and other preventative measures are being assessed to help reduce the chances of flooding in Port Maria.

“The National Works Agency is working with the St Mary Municipal Corporation to look at the whole question of river training and all the things that are going to be required to bring some semblance of relief to the area.”

Remedial work, improved drainage system for Runway Bay and its environs

Posted on February 15, 2022April 29, 2025

RUNAWAY BAY, St. Ann: The St. Ann Municipal Corporation and the National Works Agency (NWA) have been tasked to undertake short-term repairs in Runway Bay and its environs to minimize infrastructural damage caused by recent rains.

The multi-agency approach to undertake clean-up and remedial work was announced by Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Minister during a tour on February 9 to evaluate the damage.

Minister McKenzie also said that the measures will be taken to improve the drainage network along the main road in Runway Bay.

Runaway Bay Square was under water for several hours following the rainfall. The Minister said that garbage was a main contributor to the blockage of the waterways.

He also urged the citizens to become better custodians of the environment.

“There’s a role for the citizens to play and people must now understand that Jamaica is no longer a country that you rely on getting rain at a set point during the year because climate change has put an end to all of that,” stated Minister McKenzie.

“When I look in some of the gullies and drains…we are seeing where people dump old refrigerators and old cars.”

The Minister was joined in St. Ann by Mayor Sydney Stewart as well as other councillors and staff of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation; senior representatives from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM); National Works Agency (NWA) and the Social Development Commission (SDC).

The impacted communities in St. Ann are Chester, Spicey Grove, Mount Zion, White River and Runaway Bay. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the St Ann Poor Relief Department and the SDC are providing support to residents who have been displaced.

Senior Director for Project Implementation at the NWA, Mr. Varden Downer, said that the agency will be expanding the drains at Runaway Bay square to accommodate the volume of water during heavy downpours.

“We are going to look and see how much we can open these [drains] to allow the flood waters to drain away,” he said.

Minister McKenzie began the day with an inter-ministerial tour of flood-damaged sections of Portland, St Mary, and St Ann that were affected by recent heavy rains. He was joined by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda.

The special visit was used to assess conditions and pave the way for further interventions to assist affected parishioners.

Rural Water Supply Ltd. hands over water harvesting system to Springfield Primary & Infant School

Posted on February 15, 2022April 29, 2025

SPRINGFIELD, St, Elizabeth: The Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) has handed over a water harvesting system to the Springfield Primary and Infant School in St. Elizbeth.

The project began last year at a cost of approximately J$5.5 million. It includes the installation of five tanks- two 1,000-gallon; two 800-gallon tanks; and a 15,000-gallon concrete tank.

“We are not just working in communities, but we are in schools, and it is good to know that the introduction of water harvesting in this school will allow a consistent stream of attendance by the students,” said Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“Water harvesting has been a feature of the Ministry since 2016 and RWSL coming into the Ministry has strengthened the capacity of the Ministry to deliver.”

The RWSL, which is an agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, is an important component of the Government’s response to communities across Jamaica with limited access to adequate potable water.

“They have lifted the standard in terms of service delivery, and I am looking forward to working with them right across Jamaica to take projects such as this and many more to communities across the country that are in need of water,” he stated.

The Springfield Primary and Infant School Water Harvesting Project will benefit some 164 students and staff.

Mayor of Black River, Councillor Derrick Sangster, welcomed the project.

“What the Rural Water Supply Limited has done is to make it possible that this institution will always have available to them a collection of clean potable water, so that the health of the children here can be protected, and they will all be able to exist in a clean and healthy environment.”

The RWSL is completing a rainwater harvesting system at the Barbary Hall Primary School as well as implementing the Maybole minor water system which includes solar pumping facilities.

Water projects undertaken by RWSL in St Elizabeth in recent times include Top Reading, Burnt Savannah, Park Mountain pipeline extension to the Primary School. It is also collaborating with the National Water Commission on the pipeline installation in Middle Quarters as well as the Whitehall /New Market water system.

Additionally, designs are underway for the Government of Jamaica/Caribbean Development Bank for the Union/Balaclava water system.

Recreational Centre opens in Olympic Gardens

Posted on February 8, 2022April 29, 2025

A J$16 million recreational centre has been handed over to the community of Olympic Gardens in West Central St. Andrew.

The centre, which has been coined the ‘Andrews Mews Health and Recreational Centre’ was officially opened on Friday, February 4 by Member of Parliament and Prime Minister, Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

“This investment belongs to the community, and it means that your responsibility in maintaining this project is going to be very crucial,” the Prime Minister M said during the opening ceremony.

The recreational centre, which was funded through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, features a walking/jogging trail for physical activity; bathroom facilities and a green space where residents can relax and socialise.

The project forms part of an ongoing plans to enhance and further develop the community. The intention is to create an urban space, almost like a town centre, which is functional for the residents.

Prime Minister Holness had also disclosed during the February 2021 groundbreaking ceremony that the transformation of his constituency includes the construction of another infant school as well a golden age home, which will be done through his Positive Jamaica Foundation. He said that two other parks will be built- one more in the Olympic Gardens Division and the other in the Seivwright Gardens Division.

“We are trying to identify the lands for them, and we have some housing developments that are slated for this area as well.”

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie stated that the construction of the park will foster community unity and urged the residents to safeguard the facility.

The handing over ceremony was also attended by Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor, Delroy Williams; Chief Executive Officer of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Robert Hill; and Councillor Caretaker for the Molynes Gardens Division, Glendon Salmon.

Spruce up for Lucea and Hopewell – Hanover towns to benefit from the ‘Paint The City’ Initiative

Posted on January 27, 2022April 29, 2025

LUCEA, Hanover: The rural townships of Lucea and Hopewell in Hanover are to benefit from the Government’s $300 million ‘Paint the City’ project that is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Hanover is among five parishes participating in the project aimed at generating employment through beautification, mural painting, street sign installation and improvements to selected markets.

“For Lucea, it will entail painting of the transportation centre; painting of the stalls in the market; painting the exterior of the market; painting the walls, and painting the police station and post office,” said Minister Desmond McKenzie during a press briefing in the western town on Friday, January 21,2022.

“We are going to put in a recreational park just in front of the Hanover Municipal Corporation building and give the place a facelift, so it can lift the spirits of the people and give some energy and life to the town.”

The beautification project, which was announced by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service during the 2021/2022 Budget Debate, forms a part of the Government’s plan to drive the development of rural Jamaica and is to be executed over a three-year period.

“Rural development cannot be done overnight. We have to know what it is we are up against, and that is why it is important that we conduct the surveys and then move in to do the development over a period of time,” stated Minister McKenzie.

“This project represents the effort of the Government to put our people to actual, productive work. It is about generating hope through increased employment as we pull free from the grip of the pandemic, and restore activity, life, and vigour to our towns and parish capitals.”

The town of Hopewell will see improved sidewalks and murals to complement an  ongoing multi-million rehabilitation of its market.

The Minister also disclosed that the plans are being explored to alleviate thetraffic congestion in Lucea.

“We are also looking at converting the one-way in Sir Alexander Bustamante Square into two lanes of traffic as a means of alleviating the traffic congestion in the town of Lucea,” he noted. “I want to use the opportunity to urge the residents of Lucea to be a little patient with us. What we are doing is going to take some time, but for now there are some low-hanging fruits that we can pick.”

Ban On Parties Still in Effect

Posted on December 29, 2021January 3, 2022

The ban on parties and related gatherings as per the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) will remain during the holiday period.

“I wish to reiterate that the ban on parties and related gatherings, such as round-robins, gate parties and so on, are still in effect,” stated Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie during a recent address in the House of Representatives.

“No permits will be issued for any such events by the Municipal Corporations or the police. Any breaches will be dealt with in keeping with the Disaster Risk Management Act.”
He noted that the public health emergency created by COVID-19 cannot be ignored despite the decline in the positivity rate and the number of people hospitalised with the virus.
“I therefore appeal to everyone to be responsible, and to remember that after Christmas, comes the new year. We want the New Year to continue on the trajectory of improvement, so Jamaica can continue the process of returning to normal.”

The ban was placed on the staging of parties and events in 2020 as part of the Government’s measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

Last December, Minister McKenzie revealed that more than 300 illegal events were still being held weekly across the country in breach of the health and safety protocols. There were also venues registered as restaurants operated as nightclubs, in addition to nightclubs being run under the disguise of restaurants.

NSWMA gets more resources for the festive season

Posted on December 20, 2021

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) will boost its operations with additional sweepers as well as private dumper and garbage trucks, in anticipation of the increased volume of solid waste during the holidays.

 

“The Ministry will be allocating an additional J$20 million to the National Solid Waste Management Authority. The NSWMA will be assigning an additional 500 sweepers to clean town centres across the island. Moreover, 300 private dumper trucks will be deployed throughout the country to assist in this public cleansing drive, which will include the removal of bulky waste.”

 

The announcement was made by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development on December 14. He was speaking in the House of Representatives on measures being implemented to ensure public order across the island as it enters the Christmas season.

 

“It is expected that these measures will also help to further reduce the backlog of solid waste that our citizens are experiencing in some parts of the country. Significant work has already been done to decrease the volume of accumulated waste, and this initiative will accelerate that process, as well as ensure that whatever is generated during the holidays is properly managed,” the Minister added.

 

“This special initiative is receiving the personal attention of the Executive Director of the NSWMA, who is spearheading the cleansing of mini-dumps in a number of areas, including Montego Bay and Downtown Kingston. These dumps will be opened until midnight, and in a number of selected areas, garbage will be collected up to 11 pm.”

 

He also acknowledged the patience of the many citizens, who have been inconvenienced by the pile-up of garbage. Minister McKenzie also appealed for persons- especially business operators – to be considerate and responsible in the disposal of their litter.

 

“I am warning the commercial sector that we have the mechanisms in place to identify where the garbage is generated and we are prepared to take the strongest actions to ensure that we get full compliance,” emphasized the Minister, whose portfolio responsibility includes the NSWMA.

 

 

The Minister mentioned too that work has commenced to obtain new garbage trucks, subject to the availability of funds. It is expected that these new units will be on the streets in the latter part of next year.

Face-to-face visits resumes at Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes

Posted on December 15, 2021February 21, 2022

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has announced a raft of protocols for face-to-face visits at the island’s Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes from December 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022.

“The society is gradually and carefully being reopened… and today, I am pleased to announce to the country that following due consideration and consultation; protocols have now been established for face-to-face visits at our Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes for a limited period,” Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie announced during a statement to the Houses of Representatives on Tuesday, December 14.

“I want to make it clear that visitors will not physically enter the residential spaces in the Infirmaries. They will meet their loved ones in the therapeutic parks that have been established at most of these institutions. In other Infirmaries that currently have no therapeutic parks, special areas will be established to facilitate visitors.”

An immediate ban was placed on visits to Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes in March 2020 when the first COVID-19 case infection was reported in Jamaica.

The island was also declared a Disaster Area in keeping with the Disaster Risk Management Act following recommendation by the MLGRD.

“One of the reasons for doing that was to ensure that we threw a blanket of protection around our citizens who would be most vulnerable to the virus, in this case our elderly population,” Minister McKenzie added.

“These quick, decisive and thorough actions have worked. Painfully, we lost a few of our seniors, but we have saved the lives of the overwhelming majority and maintained high standards of care.”

Both staff and service providers who have had to interact with Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes go through a rigorous series of health and sanitation protocols.

However, the human connection that is also critical to the health of the seniors was interrupted. Last December, the Ministry partnered with Digicel Jamaica to

introduce the ‘Physically Distant But Virtually Connected’ initiative which saw residents interacting with their loved ones via technology.

“I have messages and letters from so many relatives, who want to know when will be the first opportunity, they will have to see their loved ones, whom they haven’t seen in nearly two years.,” noted the Minister.

The protocols established for face-to-face visits at the Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes are:

1. Visitors to the Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes are required to make an appointment in advance.
2. Visits will last for no more than 30 minutes, and each resident can have no more than three persons per visit.
3. All visitors must present a negative Covid-19 test that is no more than three days old and must be fully vaccinated. Visitors are also required to show proof of vaccination.
4. The existing health protocols – such as screening on entry and sanitization at the Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes – will continue to be implemented.

Meanwhile, come January 2022, an announcement will be made regarding the process of admitting new residents to the Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes. The MLGRD has received recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to guide this process.

Concluded Minister McKenzie: “On another matter, I also want to advise that the Ministry has put arrangements in place to make this Christmas a pleasant experience for our homeless citizens. As we did last year, provisions have been made for meals and access to facilities for the homeless during the Yuletide season”.

Lucea Youth Mayor Cites Citizens’ Resilience as Key To Jamaica’s Post-Covid-19 Recovery

Posted on December 14, 2021

The 2021 Youth Mayor for Lucea, Hanover, Timothy Kent, has cited the resilience of Jamaicans as pivotal to building a stronger country in the post-coronavirus (COVID-19) era.

The 18-year-old, who is a grade 11 student at Rhodes Hall High School in Hanover, topped the five entrants participating in this year’s Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) Youth Mayor Competition, which was staged virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his inaugural address to the Corporation recently, Timothy said despite the devastating effects of COVID-19 over the past 20 months, Jamaica is emerging stronger partly due to the strength and resilience of many citizens.

“The pandemic has both brought out the best in us and exposed [our] ‘fault lines’. Most of all, it has given us a new perspective on longstanding issues, which we will need to address if we are to rebuild… stronger families, stronger communities, a stronger economy and, by extension, a stronger Jamaica,” he emphasised.

While acknowledging that the effects of COVID-19 are likely to be felt for some time, despite signs of Jamaica emerging from the resulting fallout, Timothy maintained that “we must build on the strength, innovativeness and resilience of our people”, whom he described as “the heroes of the Pandemic”.

Timothy, who hails from the community of Santoy in Hanover, aspires to be an accomplished musician, while eying a career in politics.

Chair of the Corporation’s Civic and Community Affairs Committee and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Andria Dehaney-Grant, commended the entrants and their teachers, who assisted with their preparation, for responding to the call to participate in the competition at short notice.

Councillor Dehaney-Grant noted that due to the late start of the 2021/22 academic year in October, participants were given less than three days to prepare their five to seven-minute video presentations on the theme: ‘Local Government at the Forefront of Building Back Stronger’.

She pointed out that although all high schools in the parish were invited, only four responded with 5 students.

The result of the competition also saw Allison Trench of Rusea’s High School emerging Youth Deputy Mayor, and Christopher Campbell, also of Rusea’s; Ashawna Irving of Green Island High School; and Rachel Coach of Hopewell High School being selected Youth Councillors.

HMC Chairman and Mayor of Lucea, Councillor Sheridan Samuels first commended the students for the high standard of their presentations which he said did not reveal the short time within which they were prepared.

He encouraged them to stay focused, pursue higher education “and… really aspire to reach your goals [in life].”

The Youth Mayor Competition was staged as part of the activities marking Local Government Month in November.