TROPICAL STORM HARVEY

Posted on August 18, 2017July 2, 2019

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica continue to watch the development of Tropical Storm HARVEY. On the forecast track, the system will impact some islands of the Lesser Antilles today Friday 18 August 2017 and continue to move in a westerly direction. Tropical Storm HARVEY should pass well south of Jamaica on Sunday into Monday. While it is not predicted that we will experience Tropical Storm conditions, the weather condition across the island could deteriorate. With this will come the possibility of poor sea conditions on the South Coast, flooding in low lying areas, and landslides in hilly terrains. Jamaicans are advised to take the necessary precautions and continue to monitor credible media sources.
Flood Safety Tips
-Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas. vehicles.
-Decide on likely evacuation routes now
-Avoid flooded waterways i.e fords, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.
The ODPEM will continue to monitor the situation.

Contact- Delmares White, Director, Information & Training, ODPEM; [email protected];
Tel: 1(876) 399-1627

ADDRESS BY HON. DESMOND McKENZIE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH &THE OBSERVANCE OF THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON

Posted on June 2, 2017July 2, 2019

The official observance of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season is a crucially important exercise.

 

It is a potent symbol of the seriousness with which the Government takes the Hurricane Season. It is also one of the ways in which this Administration intends to sharply raise the current levels of public awareness and public acceptance of the need for a far greater level of disaster preparedness.

 

The blunt truth is that as a nation, we continue to disregard the power of personal responsibility to prevent disasters.

 

There is a worrisome mixture of ignorance, fatalism and defiance that continues to characterize much of the public attitude to disaster preparation. Too many of us continue to believe that once the Agencies of the states clean the gullies and drains, all we have to do is rush to the stores and buy supplies once a Hurricane is announced.

 

I sincerely hope that the recent rains that occurred over a matter of days in April and May, and which resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, have snapped us into reality. There was one critical lesson, within all the misery that some of our citizens regrettably experienced, especially in Clarendon. The rains were so intense that the storm-water drainage systems, which were clear, were nonetheless overwhelmed.

 

When Hurricane Matthew blew past us in early October last year, we were again reminded of the need for preparation. We are challenged as never before, to take disaster preparation, and between today and November 30, Hurricane preparation, far more seriously.

 

One of the challenges we must tackle is that of unauthorized land use across the country. From my time on the Opposition benches of Parliament, I have raised the point that we must formally identify and enforce No Build Zones.

 

Generally speaking, these are areas that are so vulnerable to disasters that mitigation efforts are uneconomical or simply impossible. Outside of this however, we all know for example, that gully-banks are not places for people to live or establish businesses, yet many across the country are occupied in these ways. Disaster management can never be fully carried out, unless the issues surrounding squatting are addressed in a fundamental way over time.

 

Currently, residential squatting is the dominant type of adverse possession activity across the country, and is evident in over 754 settlements comprising a population in excess of 600,000 people. Approximately twenty percent (20%) of Jamaica’s population resides in informal settlements, and in the context of hurricanes, these areas are especially prone to flooding, landslides and storm surges.

 

Of the 585 mapped squatter settlements in Jamaica, 138 of them are within 100 metres of a waterway. More than 50% of the squatter settlements in Kingston & St. Andrew and St. Thomas are within 100 metres of a waterway. 

A large number of the settlements are on gully-banks, which are not constructed to withstand the weight of housing developments. Furthermore, the reservation regulations with regard to waterways are being breached by the presence of these structures.

 

This matter has the attention of the Prime Minister, who is also Chairman of the National Disaster Risk Management Council. One of the things I will be doing shortly, in my capacity as Minister and as Deputy Chairman of the Council, is to move the Building Bill 2017, which has already been tabled in the House of Representatives.

 

One of the objectives of the Bill is the prevention of squatting, which is an endemic feature of areas vulnerable to disasters. This law, when passed, will work hand-in-hand with the Disaster Risk Management Act 2015, to deal with structural and land-use issues, to ensure that the national exposure to disasters is significantly reduced.

 

Naturally, we do not wish to experience any Hurricanes this year. However, let me also use this opportunity to publicly advise that, the Government is empowered under Section 27 of the Disaster Risk Management Act to take any necessary action. If the Prime Minister declares any place as a Threatened Area or a Disaster Area, the measures permitted include:

 

1. The Direct evacuation of the Area.
2. Instructions for people to leave any particular premises.

 

 

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continues to work to ensure that the country is as prepared as possible for any eventuality that may arise during the season. ODPEM continues to co-ordinate the management of preparations for the Hurricane Season, and is ready to provide the assistance needed should the need arise.

 

You will recall that I indicated to Parliament in April, that the need for structural changes to our waterway network will be addressed. The review of our drain and gully systems is now being undertaken by our Technical staff, in collaboration with the National Works Agency. We are serious about ensuring that flooding does not remain part of our normal experience.

 

I also indicated in Parliament, that there will be a review of the types and numbers of Shelters across the country. I expect to report to the country shortly about the outcome of the review and the way forward.

 

This Administration is determined to create and maintain a momentum of urgency in the public mind, about Hurricane preparedness.

We must understand and accept that we cannot continue to throw money at cleanup and other restoration efforts year after year, once heavy rains or Hurricanes occur. This is money that should be invested in various areas of public life, to promote and preserve prosperity.

 

The significant threats to Gross Domestic Product presented through hurricanes, are major barriers to our economic growth target of 5% per annum, beginning in 2020. They are also an impediment to Jamaica’s Developed Country Status ambitions as outlined in Vision 2030.

 

I ask every citizen of this country to expect, and prepare for, an active Hurricane Season for 2017. What does this mean?

 

• It means checking our houses and workplaces for flaws in the walls, roofing and elsewhere.

 

• It means we should start now, to gradually buy the items that we would need if a disaster comes, rather than buy all at once, and still have some area of concern unaddressed.

 

• It means we should begin to consider and make emergency arrangements with friends and family now, so that we can better manage our personal affairs if disaster strikes.

 

• It means a commitment, not only this year but every year, to stop dumping household and industrial garbage into drains and gullies. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS THE KEY THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR.

 

Therefore, let us work together, to ensure that the passage of Hurricanes becomes a reality we effectively manage with minimum stress, rather than a nationally disruptive experience.

 

Partnership is a principal emphasis of the Government. We want to work with all our citizens, on the basis of shared responsibility.

 

The Administration has a special responsibility for national disaster preparation. You have, as a citizen of Jamaica, an individual and personal responsibility to ensure that you do everything necessary to prevent harm to yourself and others.

 

Let’s devote our time and energy, to preparing more and repairing less. That is my appeal. Together, we can make it work.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER BREAKS GROUND FOR $190 MILLION PORTMORE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BUILDING

Posted on June 1, 2017July 2, 2019

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, officially broke ground on Wednesday May 31 for the construction of a J$190 million Administrative Building for the Portmore Municipal Corporation.

The construction of an official Municipal Building for Portmore, was one of the commitments given by the Minister in his contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in April.

In his remarks at the ground-breaking ceremony held at the site of the project in Portmore, Minister McKenzie noted that, the Municipal Corporation “is now on a clear path to getting its new home, from which I expect highly enhanced service to the people of the Municipality of Portmore.”

The new Administrative Building will be:

A new 22-thousand square foot facility (22,654 sq. ft.) will be a modern, stand-alone building, which will be located on 4 acres of Government land in the vicinity of the Braeton Parkway and Municipal Boulevard. This is near to the South St. Catherine Division Police Station (popularly called hundred-man police station).

 

·         The J$190 million cost of the project will be financed from the Equalization Fund, as well as the Municipal Corporation’s funds.  
 
·         Construction is expected to last for twenty (20) months, beginning on June 1. It is expected that the building will be completed by February, 2019.
 
·         The building will feature a ground floor, first floor and attic floor, and will have energy-efficient features such as solar street lighting and LED lighting. The overall development plan also includes landscaping, adequate car parking and water harvesting. 

 

The ground-breaking ceremony was also addressed by Member of Parliament for Southern St. Catherine Mr. Fitz Jackson and His Worship the Mayor of Portmore Mr. Leon Thomas, who both described the development as a welcome and eagerly anticipated lift for the elected and administrative servants of the people of Portmore, as well as the residents of Portmore themselves.

Statement to the House of Representatives about the incidents of flooding and landslides in central, eastern and south-eastern parishes of Jamaica, by the Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development

Posted on April 25, 2017July 2, 2019

Mr. Speaker…

 

• The Trough that affected the western Caribbean and brought sustained light to heavy rains to Jamaica since late last week, is expected to dissipate today.
• In the space of a few short days, a number of parishes have been affected by flooding and landslides, as a result of the extensive rains influenced by the Trough.
• In Clarendon alone Mr. Speaker, information from the National Meteorological Service is that almost 10 inches of rain was dumped on the parish in two days.

 

• The Government is mindful of and sensitive to the losses of personal items, and of crops and livestock, that some of our residents and farmers have experienced.

 

FLOODING AND LANDSLIDE EVENTS

• The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has reported, that incidents of flooding have affected residents of 11 communities in Clarendon, 3 communities St. Thomas, 3 in Portland, 2 in St. Mary, 4 in St. Elizabeth, 1 in St. James and 2 in St. Catherine.
•   At the same time, landslide events have occurred in 5 communities in Clarendon, 3 communities in Portland, 3 communities in St. Thomas and 1 community in St. Catherine. The Reports from ODPEM reveal that Clarendon has been the most seriously affected parish Mr. Speaker.

 

 

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE MECHANISMS

•                The ODPEM and the Local Authorities responded quickly to the needs of residents, and ensured that relief materials including mattresses, blankets, sheets, cases of drinking water and tarpaulins were supplied.
• A total of 49 people visited emergency Shelters in Clarendon and in St. Thomas last Saturday, April 22.
• 23 people received emergency care in Clarendon, while the remaining 26 were cared for in St. Thomas. All Shelters, Mr. Speaker, were deactivated the next day, Sunday April 23.
• The ODPEM paid special attention to the parish of Clarendon during the passage of this rain event, as it was asked by the Clarendon Municipal Corporation to intervene at that point. The other Municipal Corporations did not ask ODPEM for assistance during the rains, but the Agency stands ready to provide any post-event assistance that they may need.

 

OTHER RESPONSES – SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

• As is expected Mr. Speaker, various Ministries and Agencies of Government are now assessing the full impact of the rains.
• The social impact is of great concern, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, along with the Poor Relief Departments of the Local Authorities, voluntary agencies such as the Salvation Army, ABRA and the Red Cross, are gathering the necessary information.
• The intention, Mr. Speaker, is to use this information to implement a comprehensive Assistance Programme, to restore dignity to our affected citizens. The details of the Programme will be shared with the House in due course Mr. Speaker. The Ministry will also be providing financial assistance to affected Municipal Corporations.
• Additionally, the rubble created by the flooding and landslides will be removed.
• Just as importantly, the Ministry of Health is being engaged, as we try to guard against any potential mosquito nuisance or waterborne diseases, as the floodwaters subside.

PRELIMINARY ROAD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT REPORT

• The National Works Agency is conducting an assessment of damage to the main road network, while the parochial road and minor water supply network, is being assessed by the Ministry’s Technical Services Division, supported by the Municipal Corporations.
• The Preliminary report of the National Works Agency is that there is damage to the main road network across ten parishes, with Clarendon, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth and Portland being particularly affected.
• The estimate to repair the damage is J$352 million.
• The assessment of the municipal infrastructure by the Ministry’s Technical team and the local authorities, has so far revealed a damage assessment total of J$139.8 million across three parishes: Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and St. Thomas. (St. Elizabeth: $23.5 million, St. Thomas: $30 million, Clarendon: $86.3 million).
• The total damage estimate to this point Mr. Speaker, is therefore J$491.8 million.

 

MAJOR REVIEW OF DRAINAGE NETWORK CAPACITY

• The events of the past few days have exposed the need for a comprehensive review of, and major changes to the drainage infrastructure in many parts of the country, Mr. Speaker.
• It is clear that our ability to absorb extraordinary weather events without disruption to normal life, is not where it ought to be.
• The civil works infrastructure has not matched or exceeded the pace of population growth and physical development over time. Flooding has become a recurring experience, even in the absence of Hurricanes or Tropical Storms, and even where existing drainage is properly maintained.
• To use 19 Miles, Mineral Heights and parts of May Pen in Clarendon as examples, the National Works Agency has specifically reported that “The drainage features were simply overwhelmed by the volume of water that was dumped on the areas in such a short space of time. Checks after the event on Sunday revealed that many of the drains were in fact clean and functional, even after the flooding.”
• One of the responsibilities of Local Government is the maintenance of the network of parochial infrastructure, which includes drains. We continue to collaborate closely with the National Works Agency, which has responsibility for main roads.
• I wish to advise that the Ministry will be reviewing the existing structures, particularly in town centres and other urbanized areas of the country, to see where runoff capacity can be significantly expanded in the short to medium term. While there are other factors that can be cited as causes of flooding Mr. Speaker, there is simply no denying that insufficient drainage capacity is a fundamental reason, and the time has come to address the problems associated with rain events in a fundamental way.
• In keeping with the joined-up-government approach that I have outlined today, this Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, under which the National Works Agency falls.
• The objective is to develop a programme to expand the country’s infrastructure, to put an end to flooding once any type of rain occurs.
• This is a crucial element of the strategy to reduce the impact, and therefore the macro-economic costs of weather systems on the country.

 

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER RAISES CONCERN ABOUT HIGH ACCIDENT RATES IN WESTMORELAND, AS AMBULANCE IS HANDED OVER TO THE PARISH

Posted on March 31, 2017July 2, 2019

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie is expressing renewed concern that  the high number of motor vehicle accidents across the island generally, and in Westmoreland in particular, is putting a great strain on the country’s health services.

“The rate of motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents across the country is creating great cause for concern… I can only urge the people here in Negril to be more understanding, to be more responsible… Let us try and work to reduce the level of accidents across the parish of Westmoreland,” he said.

The Minister was speaking at a ceremony at the Negril Fire Station, where a specially retrofitted Ford E250 6-seater ambulance, valued at US$35,000, was handed over by the Issa Trust Foundation/Health for Life and Wellness Foundation Limited to the Jamaica Fire Brigade for use in the parish.

The Minister noted that Westmoreland has the highest rate of road fatalities across the island, and urged Chairman of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation Mayor of Savanna-La-Mar Bertel Moore, who was in attendance at the ceremony, to assist in the implementation of programmes aimed at reducing accidents in the parish.

“I would advise you, Mr. Mayor, to get these people to form themselves into Associations, to sit down to talk and look at the best way to operate, because unless there is a certain level of discipline, we will be at the same place where we are today.”

Minister McKenzie emphasized the critical need for the ambulance in Negril, and stated that “the pressure that is brought to bear on the response capabilities of the Jamaica Fire Brigade is enormous…the parish of Westmoreland has an average of 110 calls into the Fire Department every month.” He also stated that the ultimate aim is to ensure that each of the thirty-three Fire Stations across the island is equipped with an ambulance.

The Minister also pledged to address security concerns at the Negril Fire Station, by facilitating the removal of the current chain link fencing, and replacing it with a concrete perimeter wall.

Mr. Elias Issa, who represented the Issa Trust Foundation at the ceremony, noted that the town of Negril, like many other communities across the island, has not had a reliable working ambulance for quite some time.

“We understand that Government does not have the resources to equip every town in Jamaica with an ambulance. But what the Issa Trust Foundation has done, in this case, is to purchase a pre-owned, but re-conditioned ambulance at a reasonable price and ship it to Jamaica,” he explained.

He also urged the Government to partner with Foundations and service groups in a bid to help facilitate the eventual goal of having a working ambulance in every community in Jamaica.

Mobile property tax collection unit makes positive impact in St. Elizabeth

Posted on March 14, 2017July 2, 2019

From the Jamaica Observer: Black River, St Elizabeth — The figures show gradual improvement year by year, but St Elizabeth remains among the most backward regions in terms of property tax collections.

In late February, the south coast parish was running a 58 per cent property tax compliance rate for the 2016-17 financial year which will end on March 31. That’s up from 52 per cent at the same point the previous year, but still $300 million behind where tax collectors say it should be.

No wonder then that St Elizabeth tax collectors recently welcomed with open arms, a new pilot project aimed at boosting collections using a mobile unit (small bus) to get to property owners in their communities.

“We are looking to see how we can collect and maximise our efforts between now and the end of March and this project certainly helps,” Dwayne Elliott senior compliance officer, St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, told the Jamaica Observer Central.

A visit by the mobile unit over three days to a number of communities including Lacovia, Siloah, Mountainside, Treasure Beach among others, netted in excess of $777,000, Elliott later told Observer Central. Crucially, tax collection and compliance personnel from the municipal corporation and the tax department were able to interact with people regarding their tax status and how best to pay, he said.

At Siloah, several property owners said the visit of the mobile unit had saved them a costly and time-consuming trip to the tax office in Santa Cruz, 20 miles away.

Mayor of Black River and chairman of the St Elizabeth municipal corporation, Derrick Sangster, councilor for the Siloah Division Audie Myers (PNP) and Diana Sutherland, acting director of finance at the municipal corporation were among those visiting Siloah to encourage property owners to pay their taxes.

“Property taxes go a long way in helping local authorities to carry out their functions,” said Sangster (JLP) who is councillor for the Mountainside Division. “These are the revenues that help us to pay for some of our most vital expenses including street lights and collection of garbage,” he added.

Myers pointed to the value of the mobile service especially for elderly folk who find it difficult to travel.

“You have a lot of old people who would have a hard time going to Santa Cruz and back, so this (mobile tax collection service) is very useful. I am looking forward to seeing it continue and expanded,” he said.

JaBudget2017: Shaw warns of clampdown to collect $13.5b in property tax arrears

Posted on March 10, 2017July 2, 2019

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw has announced that a new project is to be launched to collect approximately J$ $13.5 billion in outstanding Property Taxes.

In opening the 2017-2018 Budget Debate on Thursday, Mr. Shaw stated that tax compliance is one of the most important issues for the new Financial Year, which will commence on April 1.

Property Taxes are a critical revenue stream for the operations of the island’s Municipal Corporations, which fall under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. These taxes pay for, among other things, garbage collection and the provision of streetlights.

Local Government Ministry to Carry Out Improvements to Bustamante’s Birthplace and Blenheim Community Centre

Posted on February 27, 2017July 2, 2019

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will be undertaking significant   improvement works at the Blenheim, Hanover, birthplace of National Hero, Sir William Alexander Bustamante.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie says the site of the former Prime Minister’s birth “requires a level of improvement, to a standard that is worthy of his status as the country’s first political leader elected under Universal Adult Suffrage, and as the first Prime Minister of Independent Jamaica. We also have a special interest in this, as Bustamante was a pioneer of Local Government who served as Mayor of Kingston in the late 1940s.”

Accordingly, the Minister announced that “the Ministry will be allocating J$20 million, to repair the road that leads to his birthplace. Additionally, the Ministry, through its Agency the Social Development Commission, will rehabilitate the Community Centre in Blenheim.”

Minister McKenzie was speaking at a special Civic Ceremony to mark the 133^rdanniversary of Bustamante’s birth. The event was held at Blenheim on Friday, February 24.

Contact: Communications Unit

Ministry of Local Government and Community Development

754-0992-9