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

Local Government & Community Development Minister breaks ground for first “Water Shop” in Clarendon

Posted on November 30, 2016July 2, 2019

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has launched the pilot of a planned series of Water Shops that are intended to raise living standards in drought-stricken and otherwise water-deprived communities.

At a ground-breaking ceremony at Pennants in Clarendon recently, the Minister described the Water Shop initiative as “the start of a process to eliminate once and for all, the degrading experiences of our citizens who have to be seeking water every day, in order to live like modern human beings. This is the start of the movement to wipe away the image and the reality of our citizens, in various communities around the country, demonstrating against the lack of water. This is the start of the movement to ensure that our public health services are constantly supported by peoples’ dignified access to clean water every day.”

The Minister said the Water Shop to be constructed in the community, will serve approximately 1,000 people.

The first phase of this project will last for three months, and will involve the construction of a structure that will contain eight, 1000-gallon plastic tanks. These tanks will be mounted on a concrete base and pipes will be attached to them. Trucks will fill the tanks on a regular basis and, and then the water will be dispensed from the Water Shop.

A 20-foot shipping container will also be provided and retrofitted, and will be the Office and Administrative area for the Water Shop. For Phase 2 of the project, the intention is to harness water from the river nearby, through the installation of pumps and pipelines to draw water from the river to the Water Shop. This will reduce the need for trucking water to the facility.

The Water Shop will be built by the Ministry of Local Government, along with the Clarendon Municipal  Corporation and the Rural Water Supply Company Limited, at a cost of J$10 million. Additionally, repair works will be done to the road leading to the facility.

In charging the residents to cherish the facility once it becomes operational, the Minister also announced water will be dispensed for free for the first three months, after which users will pay for the commodity.

“Everyone knows that if you’re going to get something from the shop, you have to pay for it. The same thing is true here. Everything has a cost, and we expect that when people come here, they will go to the Office, order the amount of water they want, pay for it, and then the water will be measured out and given to them. This is public money that is being pumped into every Water Shop, and everything has to be accounted for.”

STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PREPARATION FOR AND RESPONSE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

Posted on October 11, 2016July 2, 2019

By the Hon. Desmond McKenzie MP

Minister of Local Government and Community Development

______________________________________________________________________________

Mr. Speaker…

 

Last week, the people of Jamaica faced the greatest natural threat to their lives and livelihood for many years, in the form of Hurricane Matthew.

 

It is with the deepest sense of relief and gratitude that I say personally, and on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, we are thankful that this Hurricane veered away from its projected path, away from our island home.

 

The Government took all necessary measures to prepare the country for what was expected to be the onslaught of Matthew as it moved in a north-easterly direction past Jamaica.

The closest distance between Matthew and Jamaica was just 215 kilometres (134 miles) east of Morant Point, as it moved past the island as a powerful Category 4 Hurricane. Let me put that in context Mr. Speaker. The driving distance between Somerset Village at Negril Point in the west, and Morant point in the east, is 307 kilometres or 191 miles. The flying distance between the points is even closer: 232 kilometres or just 144 miles. It is difficult to imagine a closer brush with disaster, or such a dramatic escape from it.

 

I am certain Mr. Speaker that the Government and people of Haiti, are wishing they had had a similar escape. Infrastructure has been devastated. The death toll in the country is currently estimated at 900, and now, the citizens are having to contend with an outbreak of Cholera in the wake of the Hurricane.

 

The Government of Jamaica stands in practical solidarity with the Haitian people Mr. Speaker. Accordingly, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is spearheading Jamaica’s effort to assist our brothers and sisters there. ODPEM is now represented in Haiti, as the damage assessment process continues.

I have seen Mr. Speaker, expressions of dismay and disappointment from some of our citizens that the Government had elevated the Hurricane threat in the public mind, only for mainly rains to occur. To them I say: count your blessings, count them one by one.

 

However, there is another saying that applies to our recent experience Mr. Speaker: “Take sleep mark death.” This weather system has provided an opportunity for us to put the disaster preparedness and response mechanism to work, and to evaluate its effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement.

 

PREPAREDNESS FOR THE HURRICANE

 

Even before Jamaica was placed on Hurricane Watch on October 1, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) had started the process of preparing the country.

 

• The Agency activated the National Disaster Action Plan – Hurricane Standing Orders on September 26, which guided the actions of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and Agencies involved in the response.

 

• A meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Council was held by the Most Honourable Prime Minister on September 30, and all Agencies Ministries and Departments were placed on Alert.

 

• ODPEM continued to monitor the weather system and Parish Disaster Committees and Agencies were placed on standby. ODPEM issued news releases and hosted news conferences, as did the Office of the Prime Minister, about all matters concerning the progress of the Hurricane and the integrated national response.

 

• At the policy level, the NEOC was activated at level 2 on October 1.

 

 

• At the operational level, The NEOC commenced on September 30 at Level 1 activation, Level 2 activation on October 1 and Level 3 – the highest stage of activation – on October 2.

 

• A total of 16 Emergency Operations Centres were activated island-wide.

 

• 193 shelters were opened, and provided accommodation for 3,501 people. The highest numbers of people seeking the Shelters came from St. Thomas (1,067), Kingston and St. Andrew (578), Portland (677) and St. Mary (403).

 

 

• ODPEM ensured the distribution of important items to the Shelters including tarpaulins, raincoats, lanterns, blankets and mattresses, toilet paper and water. The Administration also took the critical decision to provision the Shelters with food, to nourish people from the first day of entry.

 

• Arrangements were made for homeless persons to be accommodated through the Local Authorities and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Salvation Army.

 

• The Local Authorities are a critical part of the disaster management system, and I wish to commend them, and some of the Mayors who provided exceptional leadership when it was needed most.

 

 

 

EVACUATION

 

Mr. Speaker, I must express thanks to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) for the critical transport support provided for the evacuation effort.

 

It is publicly known that transportation was offered to people in vulnerable communities, and 104 people took advantage of the offer.

 

100 displaced people were taken from Old Harbour Bay Police Station to the Old Harbour High School for shelter, and 4 residents were evacuated from Port Royal.  Two buses were stationed in the community to support the exercise.

 

Mr. Speaker, I am compelled to emphasize yet again, the critical importance of obeying the instructions of disaster officials to evacuate vulnerable areas.

 

No level of instinct, or hope, or stubborn determination to ride out the storm can replace the reality that when severe flooding or wind is imminent, people in disaster-prone areas are likely to suffer loss of property, loss of life or both.

 

We have intensified the national conversation about evacuation Mr. Speaker, and this will have to continue.

 

 

ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL LOSSES

 

One of the important concerns of the Government, was that public infrastructure would be extensively damaged by Matthew.

I am heartened to report Mr. Speaker that this is not the case. While the Local Authorities are concluding their investigations in relation to Parochial infrastructure, I have been formally advised that there is no severe damage. The National Works Agency has given similar advice in relation to the wider road network.

 

As far as total loss to the economy is concerned Mr. Speaker, we await the calculation of lost production hours among other factors by the Planning Institute of Jamaica, as part of the national assessment exercise.

 

Mr. Speaker, the process of evaluating this experience has already begun. ODPEM has commenced its review exercise, and this will also involve the Social Development Commission (SDC). We will be reviewing among other things in the short term, the Shelter Management Programme. Additionally, there will be:

 

• A systems and procedures review of Internal and External Agencies.

 

• An update of the Standard Operating Procedures of the NEOC, after careful evaluation.

 

• The development of Mutual Aid Agreements and Contract Agreements with private sector partners, to ensure swift response.

 

• In the longer term, the National Response Coordination Plan will be updated.

 

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank all our partner Ministries and Agencies in the National Emergency Operations Centre for their hard and consistent work.

 

I want to thank our private sector partners for their dedication to service.

 

I also wish to specially commend the men and women of ODPEM, who worked day and night to prepare Jamaica for Matthew, from beginning to end.

 

 

While we hope that there will be no further brushes with weather systems for the rest of the Hurricane Season, the country can be assured that the Government will be ready to lead Jamaica through the storm.

 

Thank You Mr. Speaker.