Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has expressed sadness at the passing of the Councillor for the Fairy Hill Division in Portland, Derron Wood. Councillor Wood died in hospital earlier today.

“It is a bitter blow for us in the Jamaica Labour Party family. Derron was a popular and highly respected Councillor, who served the people of Fairy Hill in that capacity for nearly 18 years. He emerged as a new Councillor in 2003, when we won the Local Government Elections as a party in Opposition. He made such an impact throughout Eastern Portland that by 2016, he was the party’s candidate for the General Election. Though he did not win, he put his energy into the campaign to support the current Member of Parliament. I know that she is hurting, the Portland Municipal Corporation family is in pain, and people all over Eastern Portland are grieving.

“It was just under six months ago that we lost Councillor Irwin Brown from the Fellowship Division in the same Constituency. I salute the work and the very visible legacy that Derron Wood has left in Eastern Portland and especially in the Fairy Hill Division. He has cemented himself into the modern history of local governance in this part of Portland, and he is already being greatly missed. No words can ease the pain of his passing, but I offer especially to his family, the assurance that he lived an exemplary life, and has made his parish a better place because he stepped forward to serve.”

Citizens are being encouraged to utilise the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) mobile application to report instances of littering, illegal dumping and uncollected garbage and access waste management information at their fingertips.

Speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, NSWMA Community Relations Manager, Kimberley Blair, said that “users can download this app by visiting the iOS or Android play stores and type in ‘NSWMA’.

“Users are able to upload images of garbage in a public space, littering and illegal dumping. Once this image is uploaded, the app sends a geotag report automatically to us here at the NSWMA and the user then receives a reference number and is able to follow the progress of the case within the app,” she informed.

“We encourage persons to help us in that regard by reporting littering and illegal dumping by downloading the mobile app,” she urged.

The app also notifies the user when their report has been received by the NSWMA’s Community Relations Department, when it is being dealt with and when garbage has been collected or the matter resolved.

The mobile app was created to provide a centralised space where users can voice their concerns and suggestions, with the assurance that these will be delivered through the proper channels and resolved as quickly as possible.

The main categories for reports in the app are uncollected/delayed garbage collection and illegal dumping. In the category of uncollected/delayed garbage collection, most of the reports have come in from the region covering Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas. Reports of illegal dumping have come in from Clarendon, St. Ann and St. James.

Ms. Blair shared that the app has been successful in helping the NSWMA address and resolve many of the reports within a short time frame.

“We launched the app in June 2020, and since that time we have received close to 300 reports and had over 600 downloads. It has been very successful, as we have been able to resolve cases in 24 to 48 hours,” Ms. Blair told JIS News.

“The app also offers a garbage-collection schedule and recycling tips for home, work and school, and we are looking at adding some exciting updates in the very near future. We will also be sharing our tutorial soon on our social media platforms, so residents can see how easy it is to make a report,” she noted further.

As part of the Authority’s Stamp Out Littering and Illegal Dumping (SOLID) campaign, persons can also report offenders and offences in the public space to the NSWMA by calling 876-448-3220.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has announced an adjustment to the two-week ban on burials currently in force, to allow for the disposal of human remains in specially prescribed circumstances. “Having met with Funeral Directors and related stakeholders last week, a number of proposals emerged from those conversations. Accordingly, approval has been given for:

1. The burial or cremation of bodies that are in an advanced state of decomposition.

2. The burial or cremation of bodies that are not in an advanced state of decomposition, but have been recommended for immediate burial by the appropriate health authorities, and

3. The burial or cremation of indigent persons who die in state care.

“These measures took effect on Saturday, March 13. I want to make it clear that only the clergy will be allowed to administer the final rites for persons who are buried or cremated in these three circumstances. No family gathering will be allowed. The current Order prohibiting burials remains in effect.”

The Minister also stated that approval has been given to allow families to obtain Death Certificates for submission to the Registrar General’s Department, to facilitate preparations for burials once the ban is lifted. “What this means is that effective Monday March 15, the Registrar General’s Department will issue Burial Orders after receiving Death Certificates, so that families and Funeral Homes can make all the necessary arrangements for the final send-off of the deceased once the ban on burials is lifted. No burials are being authorized by this change. As an additional measure to ensure compliance with the ban on burials, I also want to make it very clear that the Municipal Corporations will not be issuing Interment Orders, without which no final disposal of a body can be done. This ban on burials came about because of the total disregard for the COVID-19 protocols at gravesites all over the country, and the connection between this behaviour and the spike in cases and hospitalizations. The Government will continue to do everything to bring these numbers down, and save lives.”

Minister McKenzie also indicated that the Government is considering additional proposals made by the stakeholders in the afterlife industry, and commended them for their understanding, strong sense of partnership and co-operation with the Administration, as it continues to implement the necessary strategies to preserve and promote public health.

Following the announcement by the Most Honourable Prime Minister in Parliament on February 9, applications for sporting events are being considered on a case-by-case basis. An application for the Sigma Run was made and approval was given after a full range of stringent protocols, for which the company was required to manage, were considered. The Ministry recognises the concerns of Jamaicans and the general public and would like to give the assurance that the event was monitored and found to be compliant with the approved Protocols. We are reaffirming to Jamaica that the consideration to grant the approval was based on compliance with the established Protocols only and is the first of a number of applications that was considered.

The Local Government and Rural Development Minister stated that the Government is keenly aware of the general desire for a return to normal life and noted that even-handedness is being applied to all applications for sporting events. Consistent with this approach we are still trying to manage the pandemic, and as such applications for sporting events have to be assessed case by case. The necessary protocols are required to be designed to govern every event that is approved.

Presently, some submissions for events made by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) have been approved, while an application from the Jamaica Karting Association is now being reviewed. As the Minister responsible for the management of the Disaster Risk Management Act, I want to assure the public that every effort is being made to ensure that normal societal life can return, while ensuring that COVID-19 is effectively managed. I therefore ask all our people to observe all the health and safety protocols, as this will fast forward our recovery from this pandemic.”

Failure to obtain the proper approvals can have unwelcomed consequences. Unfortunately, this is what happened at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Training camp. While the JFF had submitted an application for the event, it did not wait for approval and sadly multiply cases of COVID was discovered among the players.

The Government of Jamaica will continue to care for and develop appropriate infrastructure to accommodate Jamaica’s homeless population. This was declared by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, at today’s ceremony where 100 hand-washing stations were officially provided to the Ministry by Digicel Jamaica to promote public sanitary habits in the fight against COVID-19.

“Since 2016, this Administration has spent over $500 million on new and improved facilities for our homeless population, something that is unprecedented. We have constructed and put into operation six new Drop-In Centres. We have through the Social Protection Programme, been placing a special focus on the plight and the needs of our unfortunate brothers and sisters. This is why, though the buck stops with me as Minister, I am a bit perturbed by some of the comments in the public space, following the brutal killings and assaults of our homeless people in the Corporate Area last week. However, I want to assure all our front-line workers in the Infirmaries and the Golden Age Homes, the staff of the Municipal Corporations and the Mayors, that the work of bringing fundamental change to the lives of our vulnerable people through Local Government will not be stopped. COVID-19 has affected the pace of implementation of some of our infrastructure projects such as concrete and steel houses for the indigent, but we will meet our targets.”

The Local Government Minister also challenged critics of the Administration to voice any suggestions for improving the lives of the homeless population in a structured and credible way, stating that all good ideas will be strongly considered. “We tend to be vocal if and when an incident occurs, but in the normal business of everyday living, there is not much concern that is generally expressed about the homeless, the special needs of the homeless population, and they are not well understood. How we treat our vulnerable, including our homeless, is an indication not only of the services of the State, but also of the attitudes of our society. I am calling for a total overhaul in our perception of our homeless people, even as the Government works to improve their circumstances in practical and sustainable ways.”

As the Government continues to implement strategies to contain COVID-19, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie has announced that hand-washing stations will be installed in selected public spaces across Jamaica. He made the announcement today, at an official ceremony to mark the handing-over by Digicel Jamaica of 100 hand-washing stations to promote effective cleansing habits. The first installed station is now located at the entrance to the Golden Age Home in Kingston. The Minister noted that the placement of that hand-washing station is significant, as while visits to Infirmaries and Golden Age Homes are still prohibited, essential care workers and other service providers are subject to strict disease prevention protocols.

“A hand-washing station will be installed at Cross Roads. In addition, there will be a hand-washing station at every Municipal Corporation building, and at every Infirmary. This is a tremendous expression of what is possible when there is partnership between government at all levels and the private sector. Digicel continues to be a reliable and innovative partner, and a great corporate citizen. This Government has shown that it is active and acting against the COVID-19 pandemic, but it can’t do it alone. In doing this, Digicel has shown its cognizance that the pandemic is no respecter of persons, and that we are all in this fight together.

The Local Government and Rural Development Minister also specially recognized the Department and Agency of the Ministry, the Board of Supervision (BOS) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) respectively, for their front-line efforts in working will all levels of Government to control COVID-19. He also appealed for care to be taken to preserve the foot-operated devices, as members of the public get accustomed to their presence around the country.

Member of Parliament for Western Kingston Hon. Desmond McKenzie has expressed great sadness at the death of former national football player Luton Shelton, after a long illness.

“It was publicly known that he was fighting against the ravages of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was my constituent, and one of the bravest persons I have ever known. He was admired and highly respected by everyone in all the communities of western Kingston not only because of his history as a national representative, but also because of the natural authority he had as a leader. The West Kingston family is deeply mourning the departure of one of its finest sons today, at the tender age of 35. He grew up in Tivoli Gardens and started his career at Tivoli Gardens Football Club before moving to other clubs locally and overseas, and putting on the national colours. As we honour Luton’s memory and reflect on his exemplary life, I want to give the assurance of continued support for his family, including the education of his children.

“Luton Shelton was a national treasure. I salute him and I will never forget him. He is gone from us, but our memories of him and the legacy he has bestowed will ensure his immortality. We feel assured that he is resting in peace, in the arms of his Creator.”

Kingston, Jamaica – The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has announced the immediate closure of all Cays, with the exception of Morant and Pedro Cays.

The decision was announced following joint discussions between the Ministers of Local Government and Rural Development as well as National Security, and the relevant Municipal Corporation.

The closure order is effective from January 19, 2021 to February 1, 2021.

The ODPEM is reminding the public that no activities should take place at these locations as the Government seek to reduce the risk of spreading the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) in the country.

Morant and Pedro Cays are exempted as they fall within a specific legislation that zone those areas for fishing and give stipulations for operation. This designation is contained in the Morant and Pedro Cays Act of 1971 which reads that the Cays “shall, for all purposes other than taxation, be deemed to be within and form part of the parish of Kingston”.

The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Marine Police will continue to rigorously monitor the Cays and all other locations to enforce the laws and ensure that the public is conforming to the established Covid-19 protocols.

Additionally, the ODPEM is reminding the public to adhere to the rules under the Disaster Risk Management (Enforcement Measures) Order, 2021.

Persons are urged to adhere to the regulations under the Disaster Risk Management Act 2015 and do the following:

1.        Obey all orders under the Disaster Risk Management Enforcement Orders
   2.        Wear a Mask in all Public Spaces
   3.        Sanitize and or wash your hands as often as possible
   4.        Maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet

Acting Assistant Commissioner and Officer in Charge of the Fire Prevention Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Emeleo Ebanks, is encouraging Jamaicans to report any leaking fire hydrants in their communities.

“Once you see water coming from a hydrant, go into the nearest fire station or call the nearest fire station and report it. You can also call us at the JFB headquarters and report it, especially if you are located in Kingston. The easy number to remember is (876) 922-0007,” Mr. Ebanks said, on the JIS Television programme ‘Get the Facts’.

He noted that the information received will be sent to the Fire Prevention Division, adding that the situation will be logged and a team will be dispatched to assess and carry out the repairs.

Mr. Ebanks, who is also the Public Relations Manager of the JFB, emphasised that it is important to report fire hydrants that are not functioning properly.

“If it’s not functioning well, it is not going to serve its purpose, and in the event there is a fire in the particular area and that hydrant is not working properly, it will not be able to assist us and we will not be able to assist you as efficiently as we ought. So, it’s very important that

you report all situations with fire hydrants,” he urged.

Mr. Ebanks is also calling on Jamaicans not to damage or throw anything into any of the fire hydrants.

“We have gone on scenes and are about to couple up the hose on to the hydrant and when you look, there are juice boxes, food boxes and persons would have stuffed things down into the hydrant’s valve pit, which is the area you would turn to operate the hydrant from. All of these things will slow down the operation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Fire Brigade has been on a drive to repair fire hydrants across the island.

Mr. Ebanks noted that when the JFB started this initiative, just over 30 per cent of the more than 15,000 fire hydrants islandwide were working.

“At this time, about 70 to 80 per cent of those hydrants are working and I want to applaud the fire hydrant teams… they work relentlessly and around the clock to ensure that these numbers are up,” he said.

“As the premier emergency response agency, we have to ensure that a part of our corporate plan and operational plan is to ensure the efficiency of these fire hydrants,” Mr. Ebanks said.