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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The operational capacity of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has been boosted with an injection of 11 new compactor trucks.

The trucks, which are valued at some US$1.75 million, swell the number of new units handed over to the garbage collection and disposal entity in the last three years to 42.

“The Government is cognizant of the need to increase the stock of the National Solid Waste Management Authority. We have made significant investments in the Authority and will continue to do so, as a lot more will be done,” said Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

The Minister of Local Government and Community Development was speaking during a handover ceremony for the new units on Tuesday (February 19, 2019).

The Metropolitan Parks and Markets will receive four of the units; three has been deployed to the Western Parks and Markets; and the Southern Parks and Markets and North East Parks and Markets will receive two each.

Minister McKenzie also underlined the need for amended legislation to ensure that persons adhere to their civic responsibilities given the nuisances of littering and the burning of garbage.

“I am really concerned about the level of indiscipline in this country by persons who can do better. I am calling on well-thinking Jamaicans to join the crusade to make Jamaica cleaner.”

To strengthen this call to action, the NSWMA will be undertaking an islandwide public education campaign targeting schools, communities through town hall meetings and media messaging among other strategies.

During the 2019/2020 fiscal year, an additional 100 trucks will be leased and placed in the services of the NSWMA to further augment its operational capacity.

“I want us to deploy the trucks in a way that we will start to see the result of increased resources…have them washed and cleaned to maintain pride and dignity,” Minister McKenzie advised NSWMA workers.  “Take pride in your duties and remember to consider yourself as a critical stakeholder in the development of this country.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica: A new Building Act with a modern legislative framework that will serve to reduce the vulnerability of Jamaica’s built environment and ensure public safety, is now in effect.

The Building Act 2018 came into force on January 15 and repeals the Kingston and St. Andrew Building Act and the Parish Councils Building Act.

“The Act is critical to the effort to prevent new squatter settlements from being built, promote sustainable development, establish and enforce internationally-accepted building standards and rules for individuals and entities providing construction material and services,” said Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“The Ministry through all the local authorities as building authorities as well as the Bureau of Standards and regulatory and appeals tribunals established through the Act will be enforcing its provisions rigorously.”

The Minister was addressing the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Campaign 2019 press conference on January 14.

He explained that the enforcement measures will not only apply to persons and companies who are building structures; but also those who occupy and otherwise use structures.

“Section 48 to 58 of the Building Act give the Local Authorities clear powers to intervene through Emergency Orders to stop the dangerous use of land as well as to require owners to repair buildings certified as dangerous structures.”

According to Minister McKenzie, the new legislation is part of Government’s thrust for the country to be more disaster-resilient.

“The logic is very simple, in the event of an earthquake, better buildings in properly planned and approved location, improve the chances of people’s survival,” he added.

The Building Act 2018 also facilitates the adoption and efficient application of the National Building Code of Jamaica. It also regulates building work and change of building use by requiring permits so as to protect public safety and public health and other public interest considerations.

It also will see the establishment of a building practitioners’ board; identifying and appointing a registrar; developing standard operating procedures and guidelines for the operation of the registrar; establishing a building advisory council and building appeal tribunal.

The Minister with portfolio responsibility will be able to review the Act’s operation and effectiveness, three years from the appointed day.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaicans are being urged to embrace a more proactive approach to natural disasters as the country moves to increase its disaster resilience.

Minster of Local Government and Community development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, gave the charge during an Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Campaign 2019 press conference hosted by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) on Monday (January 14, 2019).

“It is fitting that we are here today, just two weeks into 2019, to shake up the national attitude to earthquakes and tsunamis…I am making a personal appeal to very Jamaican to take this campaign of earthquake and tsunami awareness seriously,” he said.

“My concern is that the majority of our people continue to see disasters as incidental and unlikely to happen to them and if they do, the feeling is that it is Central Government and its agencies that must exclusively do what is necessary.”

Minister McKenzie underscored that with Jamaica being one of the vulnerable small state islands in the region, disaster awareness and preparedness should be in the personal interest of each citizen.

The month of January is observed locally as Earthquake Awareness Month.

Statistics shared by the ODPEM’s Director General, Major Clive Davis, indicate that seismic activities increased globally during last year and that Jamaica is exposed to 200 quakes yearly – many of which are too small to be felt by humans. Three tsunami alerts were issued in the region for 2018.

Some 17 major earthquakes occurred across the globe, the three of which were experienced in Haiti, Mexico and Trinidad, leaving more than 4000 injured; 2,256 dead; at least 600 persons missing and extensive property damages.

According to Major Davis, his agency wants “to insight the nation into action for an earthquake or tsunami occurrence at any time” and that schools islandwide have been selected for special activities and focus as part of the ODPEM’s public education campaign.

The Minister also stated that natural disasters have cost Jamaica billion of dollars that could have improved infrastructure and social services.  He pointed to a recent United Nations’ publication reporting that efforts by countries in the region to grow their economies are constantly threatened by natural disasters.

“The vulnerability in Latin America and the Caribbean are often just one disaster away from falling back into poverty,” noted Minister McKenzie.  “The Government is therefore doing the necessary things to increase this country’s capacity for disaster resilience. I urge you take greater personal responsibility as we move to make this island ready for developed country status by the year 2030.”

Security arrangements at the Riverton City Landfill, off Spanish Town Road in Kingston, are to be further enhanced with a donation of $1 million by brewing company, Red Stripe.

The money will be used to, among other things, procure surveillance equipment for the landfill.

This is in addition to enhanced security measures the Government has put in place following recent fires at the disposal site, suspected to be the work of arsonists.

Speaking at a handover ceremony at Red Stripe’s Spanish Town Road location on Friday (August 24), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, noted that security has also been increased at all landfills across the country since the fires.

The Minister said that some of the security measures will be visible, while others will be discreet, and bemoaned the indiscipline that exists around the country’s disposal sites, particularly the Riverton City and Retirement facilities.

“It is a sad reflection on us as a country when we have to waste the kind of resources that we have to guard a landfill from people with criminal and devious intent,” Mr. McKenzie said.

The Minister lamented that over the last eight to 10 weeks, the Government has had to spend $150 million to extinguish fires which could have otherwise been used “to fix some more roads, upgrade some more infirmaries and provide more summer employment for our young people.”

In the meantime, Minister McKenzie welcomed the donation, noting that this is an ideal demonstration of good corporate social responsibility.

“It is not just the Government’s problem, but it is a problem that affects all of us. When there is fire, it means that production is low, it means that we would lose valuable hours in the workplace and there are many associated problems with fires that are created unnecessarily,” he said.

In his remarks, Managing Director, Red Stripe, Ricardo Nuncio, noted that the fire had an impact on the company’s employees and operations, and the donation is one tangible way to provide support.

He said the money is one of the 100 gifts the company will be giving away in celebration of its 100th year in operation.

“We want to give this gift to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to support their efforts of managing the Riverton City (landfill) better. I know it’s not going to solve your entire problems, but I think that it’s definitely going to help you go in the right direction and avoid this issue from happening again,” he said.

The money was provided through the brewery’s Desnoes and Geddes Foundation, which carries out its philanthropic work.

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development rolled out its Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) for a second consecutive year and will employ approximately 3590 participants.