Local Gov’t Minister deplores spate of crashes

Posted on August 10, 2022

RUNAWAY BAY, St. Ann (JIS News): The spate of crashes on the nation’s roads has become extremely unpalatable and is fast escalating into a national crisis, says Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

 

Minister McKenzie, who was speaking at a disaster preparedness town hall meeting in Runaway Bay, St Ann on July 28, said the Government is very perturbed by the level of recklessness involved in many of the crashes, the wanton loss of lives and the effects these have been having on grieving families.

 

The Minister said the time is now ripe for a fully-fledged public education campaign on road usage and urged residents to utilise the power of social media to both highlight and promote ways to prevent the carnage taking place on roads across the island.

 

“We are paying a severe price for this level of indiscipline that has taken over our roads. We are losing lives… mostly young men… and I am [deeply] concerned,” he said.

 

“The same way in which we use social media and other forms of information to be critical and raise concerns about [many other] issues, let us start a campaign in this country about the carnage on our roads and what we as Jamaicans can do and are prepared to do.”

 

The Minister also called on public transport operators to be more responsible in doing their part to reduce the frequency of road accidents and to protect both the country and the travelling public.

 

He noted that members of the public also have the power to take a stance against travelling in vehicles that have shown a blatant disregard for road safety, arguing that if they refuse to take these buses and taxis, that will send a strong message to the operators.

 

Minister McKenzie’s address came after the recent spate of crashes, including a July 24 incident where a two-bus collision on the Llandovery, St. Ann main road resulted in the death of two persons.

Four days later, the number of fatalities had moved to four with approximately 18 persons remaining hospitalised.

 

“What is really sad is that this is a man-made disaster, which is affecting the country. The carnage on the roads is also resulting in the country losing much-needed revenue,” he said.

 

“The law alone can’t help. When I listen to the number of persons in the hospitals, where surgeries must be put on hold, that is a cost to the country, loss of revenue, and loss of production. We are going to be taking this message right across the country.”

Renovation of Highgate Market to be done on phased basis

Posted on July 27, 2022July 28, 2022

HIGHGATE, St. Mary (JIS NEWS): Renovation of the fire-damaged Highgate Market in St. Mary will be done on a phased basis, starting with a cleaning of the structure and the setting up of a temporary facility to accommodate affected vendors.

Addressing vendors and political representatives at the market on July 21, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, said discussions are also taking place to assist the affected vendors.

“We are going to do much better in the reconstruction for the market, and once the cleaning is done, we will have a greater appreciation of how many of you can come back in,” the Minister said.

He also told the vendors that dialogue will take place with Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary; Member of Parliament for St. Mary Central, Dr. Morais Guy, and the Councillor for the area, to agree on the design for the new facility.

“Once we have agreement on the design, the market will be reconstructed, but it is going to take some time,” Mr. McKenzie said.

He pointed out that the Social Development Commission (SDC) will be doing a survey on the use of the facility, to determine the level of support to be provided.

The Minister said that once the market is cleaned of debris, the authorities will be in a better position to carry out the “real assessment of what is required”.

A team from the St. Mary Municipal Corporation will decide on the number of persons to occupy the temporary market.

ODPEM embarks on disaster preparedness town hall meetings

Posted on July 20, 2022

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has embarked on a series of town hall meetings focused on preparedness, mitigation, and response in emergencies.

The ODPEM- an agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development- began its series on July 7 with stops in Rocky Point, Clarendon, and Whitehouse in Westmoreland.

The town hall meetings will continue in Port Maria, St. Mary on July 21, and then on July 28 Runaway Bay, St. Ann.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, used his presentation on July 14 in Westmoreland to caution residents against ignoring pleas by the local authorities to evacuate their homes when threatened by a natural disaster.

“We are begging you to heed the evacuation warnings and to follow the bulletins closely,” said the Minister, noting that there is a tendency in many flood-prone communities for persons to want “wait and see”.

He added: “We don’t want you to be faced with a situation where it’s too late. We will provide the shelters and other assistance…When they say evacuate… I am begging you to do so.”

Minister McKenzie also maintained that the Government is concerned about the frequency of road accidents throughout the parish of Westmoreland, to the point where the situation has been included in its disaster-preparedness plans.

“We consider the spate of accidents on our roads a disaster, and we have incorporated that in our disaster response programme right across the country,” he explained.

“I would like to urge those persons who use the motorcycle to get involved in the various programmes being undertaken by the Government.”

The Road Safety Unit has been hosting various workshops and safety gear has been made available to motorcycle users, among other initiatives.

Deputy Superintendent of Police attached to the Westmoreland Division, Adrian Hamilton, said the frequency of accidents in the parish is a major cause of worry for the lawmen.

“There have been 27 traffic fatalities in the parish, so far, this year, with 12 motorcyclists among those killed. We are still seeing risky behaviour, such as the removal of motorcycle mirrors and brazen disregard for the rules of the road,” he stated. “When we embark on traffic-enforcement initiatives, the main objective is to modify behaviour.”

On average, over 450 tickets within Westmoreland are issued weekly, a significant percentage of which is for motorcycle drivers who do not wear protective helmets.

Improved Water Supply for Westmoreland

Posted on July 19, 2022

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, says residents of Westmoreland are to receive improved access to water supply in coming months.

“Rural Water (Supply Limited) which falls under the Ministry of Local Government will commence in September, the rehabilitation and the upgrading of the water supply and storage system in Ashton,” he announced during a Disaster Preparedness Town Hall Meeting in Whitehouse, Westmoreland on July 14.

“This is a catchment tank in the community, and it is expected that over 600 persons within that community will benefit from this upgrading of the water system at a cost of J$10 million.”

The works in Ashton, Eastern Westmoreland is expected to be completed in November.

He also pointed to other projects aimed at improving water supplies. The Minister explained that while the Government works to increase access to water; plan are in place to truck water to various communities.

In Moreland Hill located in Western Westmoreland, water tanks will be installed in the community while the Ministry explores a major project, working with the Rural Water Supply Limited and the National Water Commission to establish a sustained supply of the commodity to the area.

“It is going to take some time but on a short-term basis, we are going to be installing in Moreland Hill, 10 water tanks that will carry 2,000 gallons of water to that community until we have completed the major work that is required,” added Minister McKenzie.

The Ministry of Local Government’s work to improve water supply in Westmoreland is ongoing as a J$4.6m water harvesting system was recently at the Bath Mountain Primary School, which also serves the surrounding community.

The Content and Little Bay Primary Schools have also benefitted from water system improvements to benefit their respective communities, at a cost of J$10m.

Meanwhile, the Ministry will be working closely with the National Works Agency to improve road conditions in Westmoreland. Minister McKenzie stated that rehabilitation work will also be undertaken on several parochial roads in the parish at a cost of J$120 million.

New Look Hopewell Market reopened

Posted on July 4, 2022

The reconstructed Hopewell Market in Hanover is now opened following a J$23 million upgrading project.

The facility, which will accommodate 24 vendors was officially opened by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie on June 23.

The new structure features new stalls, storage area as well as a section for fish and meat vendors, bathrooms and parking.

“Since 2016, the Government led by Prime Minster Andrew Holness, has spent quite a lot on markets across the country,” said Minister McKenzie.

“We built a brand new market in Port Maria at a cost of over J$60 million. We built a brand new market in Falmouth in Trelawny. This market in Hopewell was not renovated, but instead, we built an entirely new market for the vendors and the residents.”

A mural was also painted on the walls of the market as part of the Ministry’s national beautification initiative, ‘Paint the City, Paint the Town’.

The Hopewell Market, which had fallen into disrepair, will serve a population approximately 6,000 people who live in and around the rural township.

The Minister stressed that the Government recognizes the importance of markets as the centre of commerce in rural towns and, as such, has been rehabilitating facilities across the country.

Work on the Hopewell Market was completed within budget over two years and included the recommendations of vendors, who were engaged prior to and during the construction.

He urged the vendors to protect the infrastructure as well as ensure that they pay their market fees.

“Understand that the market fees are what you use to maintain the place. More people will be employed now. You have bathrooms, you need attendants, you have a new facility, you need to have security. The place needs to be kept clean, so it means new persons have to be employed.”

The Ministry will also spearhead a series of improvement projects to markets – to include Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, and Santa Cruz, S. Elizabeth- during this financial year.

Mayor of Lucea, Councillor Sheridan Samuels said the new and improved facility in Hopewell will upgrade the aesthetics of the town and enhance the shopping experience within the space. He also commended the vendors for their patience during the construction phases.

“These vendors on a daily basis, despite their many losses due to lack of convenience and security, continue to provide a service that is essential to the people of Hopewell and its surroundings.”

Vendor Junior Gordon, who will be occupying a stall in the new market feels good about the new and improved facility.

“I think we’ll have more customers because they will be shopping in greater comfort. We appreciate the new market and I hope that they will come and shop with us,” said Mr. Gordon.

Rural Development Programme officially launched in Chambers Pen

Posted on June 27, 2022

Community to benefit from J$223m upgrade

CHAMBERS PEN, Hanover: The Rural Development Programme has been officially launched in Chambers Pen, Western Hanover.

The community, which is the pilot, will benefit from a J$223 million upgrade to infrastructure as well as human capacity building.

“It is your project, make use of it. I want you to value your ax dollar because at the end of the day, the success or failure of this project will depend on the community of Chambers Pen,” said Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in his charge to residents during the launch ceremony on June 22.

The Ministry is spearheading the Rural Development Programme introduced last year and is designed to give new life to rural communities over the next two years.

The works scheduled for Chambers Pen include the installation of water and electrical infrastructure, internet access, roads, sidewalks, community parks and indigent housing.

The Minister also shared that the community was chosen as the pilot project based on the findings of a Social Development Commission (SDC) study.

“I commissioned the SDC to conduct a study on six communities’ in six parishes across the island and when we go the findings on Chambers Pen. I took the decision that the community would be the pilot in the new thrust for urban and rural development.”

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) will be responsible for the wiring 300 households for electricity, and more than 50,000 gallons of water will be made available through the implementation of the Chambers Pen Water Supply System through the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL).

The electrification phase is set to begin by month end. The Chambers Pen Primary School and the Chambers Pen Community Centre will also undergo renovations and streetlights installed.

Minister McKenzie said the project will be undertaken in a transparent manner.

“I am not going to allow anybody to question or cast any doubt about the credibility of this programme. We went through the process, we put out the packages for tendering, all the tenders came in, the Ministry conducted its own process, Rural Water conducted their own process [and] JSIF did the same,” he maintained.

“This is a Government that has to operate and follow the guidelines that are set. We want to be transparent; we want to be clear when we are spending taxpayers’ money – when we are spending your money.”

He also announced that four social housing units is earmarked for construction in the community as part of the first phase of the Rural Development Programme.

Farm tools were also donated to some farmers in the Chambers Pen community during the launch event.

Cheswick in St. Thomas is the next community scheduled to benefit under the Rural Development Programme.

Infirmaries to resume accepting new residents in July

Posted on June 13, 2022June 14, 2022

The Government after two years, will be removing the absolute ban on new admissions to infirmaries across the island effective Friday, July 1.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure while addressing the homeless wellness day of care at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, St. James, on Friday, June 10.

“Every infirmary now has long lists of persons waiting to be admitted or waiting to take a place in the facilities. I know that the wait has been long, but I am pleased to make the announcement…that commencing July 1, we will now open our infirmaries to accept new residents to the facilities,” Mr. McKenzie stated.

The State in 2020, had prohibited new admissions to the island’s 16 infirmaries as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the 1100 residents that currently reside in the facilities.

The Minister, however, indicated that although “we are now reopening the doors,” it will be done under certain conditions and guidelines.

“Each person who will apply for consideration will have to be fully vaccinated. They will have to have a COVID-19 test done prior to entering the facility. They will be placed in isolation for whatever period the isolation lasts for and then after they finished the isolation, then they will take one more COVID test and once they have passed that they will be admitted to the infirmary,” he explained.

Mr. McKenzie however informed that there will continue to be restricted access regarding visitation, as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing.

He pointed out that since the onset of the pandemic, only 17 residents within infirmaries have lost their lives to COVID-19.

“I want to commend the workers in the infirmaries, especially here in Montego Bay and all over, for a job well done,” the Minister said.

Scores of the persons turned out for the homeless wellness day of care that was held under the theme, ‘A Day of Care & Social Services for the Homeless’.

The many men and women were fed, as well as treated to a day of health and wellness from the various State agencies.

Among the participating entities included the parish’s Poor Relief Department, St. James Public Health Services, St. James Municipal Corporation, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Legal Aid Council, Social Development Commission, National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

A beneficiary of the day, Michael Sadler, said it is always a good sign when the needs of the poor are being taken care of.

“They are now being considered and that’s the best thing to be done at this time. So, once they are being seen and improvements are being made [for them], together we can achieve and totally eradicate homeless people from our country.  So, I’m seeing a step forward in regard to doing that,” Mr. Sadler noted.

Board of Supervision lauded for its welfare of the vulnerable

Posted on June 7, 2022June 14, 2022

The Board of Supervision (BOS) has been lauded for its efficiency and innovation in addressing the evolving needs of the vulnerable population.

“The welfare of our vulnerable citizens, from the outdoor poor to the residents in our Infirmaries, increased in importance during the height of the COVID pandemic. The work of the Board of Supervision in successfully managing the care of our brothers and sisters, cannot be overstated,” said Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“In the last financial year, the BOS continued to ensure that infirmary care was delivered in the strictest sanitary environment to achieve optimum infection prevention and control. Eighty-five percent of all residents were vaccinated. Visits remained suspended, as were admissions of new residents. The effectiveness of the BOS’ work paved the way for the temporary resumption of visits to the Infirmaries in January this year.”

The BOS is a statutory body within the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development that is charged with the welfare of indoor and outdoor clients within the Poor Relief System and the wider society. Indoor client are those residents who live in the island’s Infirmaries.

 

Care for the Outdoor Poor/Infirmaries

The Portfolio Minister also noted that he is most happy about the work to make the Infirmaries places of dignity, where residents experience modern standards of care and enhanced quality of life.

“Since January 2021, four physiotherapists and three dieticians have been added to the service structure of the Board of Supervision. Safety has been increased through specialist training in the movement of physically-challenged residents. Nutritional integrity has been improved through a revised diet plan approved by the BOS.”

Through a partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, hospitals are being relieved of its social cases. Social cases account for approximately 300 hospital bed spaces, and the BOS has already relocated 45 persons into more appropriate care facilities such as the Golden Age Home.

There are also continuous collaborations with entities such as Food for the Poor and the National Health Fund, which provided wheelchairs, personal protective equipment, and other essential items for improved service delivery in the Infirmaries.

Additionally:

• Three Therapeutic Parks were completed at the Manchester, St. Mary and Trelawny Infirmaries.
• Two new kitchens were built at the Hanover and Manchester Infirmaries.
• The new J$58.2 million Female Ward at the Manchester Infirmary was completed and is now occupied.
• The Matron’s Quarters at the Westmoreland Infirmary were completed at a cost of J$7.6m.
• Works at the Portland and St. James Infirmaries were completed at a cost of J$45m and J$32.5m respectively.
• The new Male Ward at the Westmoreland Infirmary, which is being built at a cost of $41 million, is almost completed.
• The new Administrative Building at the St. Elizabeth Infirmary, construction of which cost J$21 million, was completed and is now occupied.

Jamaicans being urged to be vigilant against streetlight theft

Posted on June 7, 2022June 14, 2022

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, is urging Jamaicans to be vigilant against streetlight theft.

“We have the breakdown of where the thefts have occurred from parish to division. Unscrupulous people are preying on the network, all over the country. In the last financial year, 723 streetlights were stolen and the JPS spent US$303,660 or over J$47 million to replace them,” he shared during his 2022/2023 Sectoral Presentation under the theme ‘Leading the rural transformation drive, as Jamaica emerges from COVID-19”.

“While it is clear that these criminal acts require a police response, it is not possible for the Constabulary to be on every road to address this issue. The streetlights are being stolen on the main roads, and within urban and rural communities. I call on residents everywhere to be vigilant, and to help to prevent the highways and byways being plunged into darkness.”

The average cost of replacing one streetlight is US$420 and incidents of theft have been reported in all 14 parishes.

According to the Ministry’s data, the Chesterfield Main Road in St. Andrew is the site of repeated thefts. Some 32 lights along with 3,200 metres of service wire were stolen on three separate occasions. They were replaced three times at a cost of nearly US$50,000.

“The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is reporting that lights along the Chesterfield Main Road have been stolen for a fourth time, and that it will cost US$16,000 to replace them. The second example is the Hellshire Main Road in St. Catherine, where 15 lights and 1,500 metres of service wire were stolen all at once on one night. These lamps and wires were replaced at a cost of US$7,800,” added Minister McKenzie.

He emphasized that meaningful investment in physical infrastructure must include the maintenance and expansion of the country’s network of streetlights. This approach is also hinged on value for money.

In the last financial year, the JPS billed the Government J$2.9 billion for the provision of streetlights, and the bill was paid in full. The light and power company was paid an average of J$243m monthly to provide this service.

“The reality remains however, that not all the streetlights are working, and the Local Authorities and the citizens who fall within their jurisdictions all over the country, deserve better,” the Minister stated.

“As had been promised to this House in my last presentation, I have been meeting, along with Ministry officials with the JPS to resolve a wide range of issues, and the consultations are continuing. In the last financial year, the company installed 725 new streetlights, which was 358 short of the installation target of 1,083.”

A total of 13,575 streetlights were repaired between April 2021 and March 2022.

Fire Station for Ulster Spring, Trelawny – Govt to increase pace of building out new stations

Posted on June 2, 2022April 29, 2025

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, will break ground for a new fire station in Ulster Spring, Trelawny on June 17.-This move is part of the Government’s thrust to increase the pace of building out new fire stations for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to meet the needs of the evolving population.  Since 2016, the Administration has invested approximately J$5.74 billion in equipment and infrastructural development.

“The Government is determined to ensure that through the restoration of current stations and the building of new ones; the Jamaica Fire Brigade will feature an efficient network of fire stations that will provide a rapid response to any emergencies that arise. Such a network will also require sufficient personnel, and I am heartened to report that a new batch of 90 firefighters commenced training exercises in February this year,” stated Minister McKenzie.

“Fire Brigade personnel perform among other duties, inspections of buildings, and are part of the multi-agency assessment teams that carry out the development approvals process. To raise additional revenue, in order to further revitalize the Fire Brigade, we are examining the levying of a fee on new construction projects that exceed a prescribed height. I will say more about this at another time.”

Three new stations were earmarked for construction under the Jamaica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project in Yallahs, Montego Bay and Port Maria. The new facility at Barnett Street in Montego Bay, St. James was officially opened on May 13 after significant construction challenges.

“This is a major development for the city of Montego Bay, especially when it is remembered that in 2016, when this Administration was elected, the Fire Station in Montego Bay had been closed for 7 years,” the Minister added during his presentation to the House of Representatives on May 25.

“Work is also far advanced on the Yallahs Fire Station in St. Thomas, and I expect to officially open it in this financial year. The Port Maria Fire Station is expected to be completed by the end of May, and I am also looking forward to opening this brand-new station shortly.”

Minister McKenzie also shared that during the 2021/2022 financial year, work was undertaken to complete the Old Harbour Fire Station in St. Catherine at a cost of $59.9 million, which was opened officially handed over on April 19.

Phase One of the Infrastructure Development Programme involved the rehabilitation of the Black River Fire Station at a cost of J$30m. Phase 2, which started in November 2021, is being implemented at a cost J$38.7 million.

“As the Government continues to invest significant sums to improve the infrastructure of the JFB, I want to say from the floor of this House, a huge thank you to the firefighters in the field, and to the administrative staff who provide critical support.”