Local Government Ministry to Employ 4,000 Youth This Summer

Posted on July 19, 2019June 21, 2021

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) has been expanded to engage approximately 4,000 persons this year.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond Mckenzie, made the disclosure at the launch of YSEP 2019 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James on Thursday (July 18).

“We started in (2017) with 2,700 and we went up to 3,500 last year. Because of the demand on the programme and the fact that hundreds of young people have shown an interest…we are looking at close to 4,000 young people for this year,” he said.

He noted that 250 persons were recommended by entities such as the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and student council bodies.

Under the YSEP, young people are engaged at municipal corporations across the island to undertake data collection and support administrative services in order to improve service delivery and ensure greater levels of efficiency.

Minister Mckenzie said that data garnered by the participants over the years has been instrumental in boosting revenue collection by the municipal authorities, particularly trade licence fees.

“The local authorities [were] able to collect in excess of $230 million in the last financial year because of [their] efforts in the field in collecting data,” he noted.

For his part, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, hailed the programme, noting that it demonstrates the Government’s commitment to “promote, enhance and make available, opportunities for every one of you [young people]”.

Individuals will be employed for six weeks, earning $8,500 weekly, with $9,500 per week for team leaders.

YSEP participants are scheduled to participate in orientation sessions on July 22, and the programme is scheduled to conclude on August 30.

Jamaica Fire Brigade Receives More Equipment

Posted on July 16, 2019June 21, 2021

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has received equipment from the United States Embassy in Kingston to strengthen its capacity.

Valued at over $30 million, the first responder equipment includes 42 fire proximity suits, 244 fire proximity gloves, 27 fire boots, 10 coveralls, 360 bed nets, 18 cots, 60 axes, 60 shovels, six rakes and two large military-grade tents. These will be distributed to the 34 fire stations across 13 divisions of the JFB islandwide.

The donation was made by the United States Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Programme Office, through the United States Embassy in Kingston.

The handover ceremony was held on Monday (July 15) at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hagley Park Road in Kingston.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, expressed his gratitude for the equipment, which he said will go a far way in saving lives.

“We are a grateful nation. It is of importance that when we ask the men and women of the Jamaica Fire Brigade to put their lives on the line that we do so by providing the necessary equipment to enable them to perform their duties,” he said.

“The Government has spared no expense in providing the requisite support to maintain the JFB. On behalf of the Government and the people of Jamaica, we express our thanks and appreciation. These equipment will come in handy and I know that you will use it to the best of your ability and continue to uphold the high standards you have set,” the Minister told the JFB members in attendance.

For his part, Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Eric Khant, said the United States Government remains a committed partner in strengthening Jamaica’s capacity to counter man-made and natural disasters.

“The relevance of the nation’s first responders never dissipate or wane. The need is always great, as no one can ever tell when a disaster will strike. The United States believes in Jamaica’s future and we are committed to working with Jamaican partners, as well as international partners, to ensure when a disaster strikes, Jamaica is fully prepared to manage that disaster and minimise the devastation,” he said.

Mr. Khant reiterated the United States Government’s continued support in enhancing Jamaica’s disaster risk mitigation plans, pledging US$5 million towards the effort.

He noted that a joint exercise by members of the District of Columbia National Guard, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was recently conducted. This was one of several initiatives to improve Jamaica’s disaster response. It focused on real time, on-the-ground response to a major earthquake event.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, JFB, Warren Malcolm, said the United States Embassy has been a very important partner of the JFB and has contributed to the growth and development of the Jamaica fire service.

“Their assistance over the years has assisted the Brigade tremendously in increasing our inventory of tools and equipment and even enhancing our capabilities by way of training opportunities from which the JFB has benefited, mainly in the areas of fire-fighting, rescue operations and hazardous materials response,” he noted.

Condolence books open for the Most Hon. Edward Seaga at Municipal Corporations

Posted on June 17, 2019October 25, 2019

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Condolence books have been opened at all Municipal Corporations and the Municipality of Portmore for the late former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga.

Members of the public are invited to sign the books that will remain open until Friday, June 20.

Mr. Seaga, Jamaica’s fifth Prime Minister, passed away on May 28. The statesman, who was 89 years old at the time of his death, served as prime minister from October 1980 to February 1989.

He was also Member of Parliament for the constituency of West Kingston from 1962 until his retirement from active politics in 2005.

The Office of the Prime Minister announced June 19 to 22, 2019 as the official period of mourning for the former Member of Parliament of West Kingston.

In keeping with the protocol for this period; no social events, public functions or activities of a flamboyant and noisy nature should be held. Travel by public officials is also limited.

During the period of mourning, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings. The official code instructs that the flag is customarily flown from 8:00am until sundown.

According to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), flags hoisted at locations outside the public sector domain will follow the same procedure. ‘Half-mast’ refers to approximately the ‘hoist’ or width (short side) of the flag below the peak of the flagstaff and not halfway down the mast.

 

The flag should first be hoisted close up and then lowered to the half-mast position. Before the flag is lowered at sunset, it should again be hoisted close up and then lowered fully.

 

The State Funeral for Mr. Seaga will be held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Kingston on Sunday, June 23. The service will begin at noon.

The former Prime Minister will be interred at the National Heroes Park.

Prior to Mr. Seaga’s funeral, a special sitting of the Houses of Parliament- to honour his life and work- will be convened on Wednesday, June 19 followed by a wake on Saturday, July 22 in Tivoli Gardens Square, Kingston.

Local Government Workers to benefit from scholarships

Posted on May 30, 2019June 25, 2019

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will this year introduce a Local Government Education Scholarship to assist employees pursing studies in keeping with its portfolio responsibilities.

The initiative, which is being done in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, will see six scholarships with a total value of J$2.1 million being awarded yearly.

The scholarships will be open to staff of the Local Government Ministry as well as those employed in agencies within its operational scope.

“The focus here is in strengthening the urban planning and technical services capacity of the Ministry and its portfolio entities,” disclosed Minister Desmond McKenzie during his 2019/2020 Sectoral Presentation.

“As we perform the people’s will, I salute employees of my Ministry and its portfolio entities. They deserve every encouragement as they respond to human needs.”

According to the Minister, his passion as a local government practitioner is the development of people and their communities.

“Local Government is here to stay and I will do everything in my power to improve lives right across the 228 (parochial) divisions and the municipalities of Jamaica,” he noted.  “That is why we are implementing institutional change through innovation and major capital investment. We are not just doing things better, we are doing them differently.”

Minister McKenzie stated that lives are being transformed through the construction of water shops especially in drought-stricken areas; the installation of closed circuit television systems, provision of autoclaves and infrastructural upgrades to the infirmaries to enhance the lives of residents.

“That is why we are making credible inroads into the repair and rehabilitation of parochial roads with over J$100 million invested and over J$100 million to be spent this year. Our markets are being expanded and transformed to become critical business, community development and spatial order hubs for our towns and cities.”

He also reiterated that Local Government, working with Central Government, is changing the psyche of the citizens as the Administration takes on social and economic challenges through hard work and innovation.

Salary hike for NSWMA sidemen

Posted on May 30, 2019June 25, 2019

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Sidemen employed to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) will receive a 28 percent increase in their salaries come July 1.

The announcement was made by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie during his 2019/2020 Sectoral Presentation in the House of Representatives on May 28.

“With regard to its core responsibilities, the NSWMA collected nearly 700 thousand tonnes of solid waste, or over 70 of the total solid waste generated islandwide,” he stated.

“Adherence to the collection schedule of once per week in the last financial year was nearly 80%, and compliance with the sweeping schedule for major roadways and town centres was almost 90%.”

Minister McKenzie explained that the main reasons for this improved performance are the procurement and introduction of new collection units and systematic repairs to dysfunctional units – 15 of which have been restored.

Since 2016, the NSWMA has acquired 43 new units – the last 12 of which were handed over in February of this year. The entity is also in the process of finalizing a lease arrangement for 100 collection units for the current financial year.

“The National Solid Waste Management Authority continues to be a positive example of Government in action. The Agency continues to practice sound corporate governance with all outstanding audited financial statements and annual reports being updated,” added the Minister.

“The Agency is also 70% compliant with current statutory requirements and life insurance, and nearly 80% of all disposal site workers, sidemen and drivers have been vaccinated.”

The NSWMA is also on track to submit its 2018/2019 audited financial statements and the corresponding annual report within the timeline required by the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act.

Local Government Minister attends Global Disaster Risk Reduction Platform in Switzerland

Posted on May 22, 2019June 21, 2021

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie is leading a Jamaican delegation to the sixth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Management in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Conference, organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, will among other things examine the progress made by signatory countries to the Sendai Framework in devising and implementing national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.

While in Geneva, Minister McKenzie, who also has ministerial responsibility for the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and is the deputy chairman of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, will address a number of sessions at the Conference and participate in a series of high-level dialogues involving policymakers from participating countries.

He will also provide an update on Jamaica’s planning of the 7^th Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean, which will be held in Montego Bay in July 2020.

At the last Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas held in Colombia, the Minister accepted on the Government’s behalf, a formal invitation to be the host of next year’s event.

“The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is a biennial forum, is critical to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Jamaica, as it directly facilitates information exchange and knowledge and partnership-building across sectors,” stated Minister McKenzie.

“Therefore our Government and other governments, non-government organizations, the scientific community and various organizations will not just share what is being done now to achieve disaster risk reduction, but will also develop practical recommendations that we, as policy makers in charge of sustainable development, finance, economic planning and disaster risk reduction, can implement for the improvement of our peoples’ lives.”

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction will end on May 17.

Ministry opens watershop in Bellefield, Manchester

Posted on May 7, 2019June 25, 2019

BELLEFIELD, Manchester: Residents of several communities in Central Manchester are now accessing potable water with the infrastructure of a $9.3 million water shop in Bellefield.

Some 20,000 gallons of purified water will be provided daily to the persons living in Bellefield, Coffee Grove, Virginia, Davyton, Blue Mountain, Bombay, Top Bellefield and Banana Ground.

“For the next year, the water will be provided free of cost. We will review it then to see how it works. No resident should be turned away because there is no fee associated to the water at this time,” Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said during the ceremony to hand over the facility on April 25.

It is the third such facility to be constructed by the Ministry following one in Pennants, Clarendon in 2017 and another in Marlie Hill, South Manchester that was opened in May last year.  Two water shops are currently under construction in the parish of St. Elizabeth.

The Bellefield Water Shop will be operated by the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

“It is a watershed day in the community and a mature day for Local Government. The Manchester Municipal Corporation has demonstrated that the capacity to operate in the best interest of the people of this parish,” added the Minister. “We want by the end of 2019/2020 fiscal year to install water shops in critical constituencies across the country.”

The residents were also urged to protect the facility, which was built on lands donated by community member Mr. Dillon Dawkins.

The Ministry introduced water shops in 2017 as a means of addressing the needs of residents in drought-affected communities across Jamaica, in a sustainable way. Southern sections of Jamaica, particularly Manchester and St. Elizabeth traditionally suffered from prolonged drought.

Infirmaries furnished with autoclaves -Equipment funded by NHF

Posted on May 7, 2019June 25, 2019

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The country’s infirmaries are now equipped with medical autoclaves as the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s intensifies its mandate to improve the care of residents in state care.

Twelve medical autoclaves were procured for the Ministry, through financing from the National Health Fund (NHF), at a cost of $5.025 million.

All infirmaries, with the exception of the Vineyard Town Golden Age Home, were without this piece of sterilizing equipment used mainly in wound care and reduces the likelihood of cross-contamination of germs.

“I am not going to rest inti all the needs of our people are addressed,” said Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Portfolio Minister, during the official handover ceremony on Friday, May 3.

“I am also committing that by the end of this year, all our infirmaries would been fitted with close circuit television, improved security, all the standby generators would have been installed.”

Minister McKenzie noted that the NHF is an integral partner in lifting the quality of lives at the infirmaries.

Chief Executive Officer at the NHF, Mr. Everton Anderson, lauded the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s project for the autoclaves.

“It is a good project and we embraced it because it really raises the bar in our line of work,” he shared.  “I have been to so many infirmaries and the work that is being done is tremendous. For the most part the care that is given is very good.”

The NHF has also partnered with the infirmaries on social improvement projects and pharmaceutical care for its residents.

Minister McKenzie also disclosed during the ceremony at the Ministry’s Offices that all infirmaries will be retrofitted with closed circuit television; improved security, mattresses as well as industrial washers and dryers by the end of the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

Trelawny Municipal Corporation tops Public Sector Debate Competition

Posted on May 6, 2019June 25, 2019

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Trelawny Municipal Corporation has copped the title of the inaugural Public Sector Debate Competition.

The competition – organized by the Transformation and Implementation Unit (TIU) under the theme ‘Facing Issues, Influencing Solutions’, was contested by 20 teams.

“Winning the title is a most rewarding feeling as we were viewed as one of the underdogs in the competition. No one expected the little ‘country team’ to win. We are still basking in the victory as our sleepless nights have paid off and Trelawny and Local Government is now being celebrated,” said team captain, Shakera Williams.

“The team had to endure rigorous preparation for each debate. Though we are public sector workers, we were not so au fait with all the information pertinent to the sector. The debate called for intense research while we tried to complete our various tasks at work.”

Trelawny Municipal Corporation went up against the Ministry of National Security during the finals at the Jamaica Conference Centre on April 25, 2019. The final moot was “Be it resolved: The goal of Vision 2030 to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business is a realistic one”.

Miss Williams was also adjudged the Best Speaker for the competition and her team also copped the prize for being the Best Team Outside of Kingston. The team lifted the winning trophy; a $100,000 cash prize; a weekend for two for each team member and $75,000 from the Jamaica Civil Service Association.

The Jamaica Information Service defeated Victoria Jubilee Hospital for third place during the finals.

Executive Director of the TIU, Maria Thompson Walters, said the competition exceeded her expectations and that her team, which falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, looks forward to the competition’s renewal in 2020.

“The Trelawny Municipal Corporation really surprised us and they were consistent throughout the Debate and they did well in all their matches.”

PEP talk on local government

Posted on April 12, 2019June 25, 2019

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Fifth and sixth graders at Emmanuel Christian Academy, who will be sitting the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam early next week, got an introductory talk on the role of Local Government “ straight from the source “ in the person of Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development.

Speaking at the school on Thursday (April 11, 2019), Minister McKenzie outlined the roles and functions of the ministry as a whole as well as those of the affiliate Agencies, the Local Authorities and the elected representatives. He zoomed in on the role of the Fire Brigade, and impressed upon the students the importance of fire safety practices at home, at schools and other buildings. Special interest was shown by both students and directors in the Building Approval process as a new church is being built adjacent to the school, and this was, of course, subject to approval.

Minister McKenzie also spoke to the maintenance of gullies and drains and the sanitation and garbage collection systems, another point of interest given the gully nearby the school.

The Primary Exit Profile (PEP) is the series of tests designed to replace the Grade Six Achievement Test ( GSAT) as the national secondary school entrance exam.