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New Equipment coming for Jamaica Fire Brigade

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The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) will soon benefit from improvements to infrastructure and personnel capacity, to ensure the successful implementation of its mandate.

This announcement was made recently by Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, at a special news conference to address the incidence of bushfires in St. Andrew and St. Thomas.

“As part of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) funded by the World Bank, three brand new fire stations will be constructed in this fiscal year. They will be located in Yallahs in St. Thomas, Port Maria in St. Mary and in the city of Montego Bay. All the design work for these stations has been completed and submitted to the World Bank.

It is also intended that a major renovation project will take place at the Spanish Town Fire Station, in which a significant portion of the labour and workmanship will be provided by the firefighters.”

The Minister of State, who has responsibility for the Fire Brigade, also announced that the Fire Brigade will be repairing 280 hydrants and installing 75 new ones across all parishes. There will also be routine maintenance work on approximately 1200 hydrants island-wide, and these projects will be funded from resources provided in the 2015/16 Budget. “In order to gradually increase the Agency’s response capabilities, The Brigade will acquire two (2) firefighting units, two (2) water tankers, two (2) ambulances and one (1) fire boat.  I am also heartened by the fact that this year, the Jamaica Fire Brigade will commence the process of recruiting and training an additional two hundred (200) firefighters.”

Mr. Fagan noted however, that people must be responsible, and ensure that fire prevention become a part of their daily routine.

CONTRACT SIGNED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RIVERTON DISPOSAL SITE ACCESS ROAD

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, signed a contract with the Government of Mexico for the construction of the Riverton City Access Road. The official signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development earlier today.

In late 2013, the Ministry was made aware of a facility operated by the Mexican Government, which addresses Infrastructure Development in Caribbean and Latin American countries. The facility is the Infrastructure Fund for Meso America and the Caribbean, and forms part of what is referred to as the Yucatan Agreement.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and the Ministry of Finance and Planning applied to the Fund and received notification of approval earlier this year.

At the contract signing ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honorable Noel Arscott, highlighted that the construction of the concrete access road is very critical to improving the operations of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), ‘This is central to the NSWMA’s Strategic Business and Operational Plans, which will be rolled out over the next three (3) years. The construction of the access road will complement some of the activities that have already been implemented, which include the covering of the Riverton Site, the re-establishment of tipping cells, and the installation of fire suppression equipment’.

The contract is valued at US$1.8 million, and this will be spent to repair approximately 2 kilometers of roadway. The scope of work involves the preparation of the existing road base to acceptable standards, relocation of public utilities, where applicable; including construction of:

? drains along the roadway

? concrete pavement

? sidewalks

? concrete drains

These works will be done based on international standards. The project is expected to begin this month, with completion scheduled for the next twelve (12) months.  The Mexican Government has engaged the United Nations Office of Professional Services (UNOPS) to provide Project Management and Supervision services.

MINISTRY TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH TRAINING FROM DIGICEL

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MOU signed between entities to launch partnership

Kingston, Jamaica – Thursday, May 28, 2015: With a focus on improving the standard of customer service in public sector entities across the island, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is set to embark on an extensive customer service training programme which will be delivered by telecommunications company Digicel.

Digicel and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development therefore signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a press conference held at the Ministry’s office on Hagley Park Road earlier this morning.

The MOU will see members of Digicel’s award-winning Customer Care team deliver training to over 220 staff from the Ministry, its agencies as well as local authorities.

Noting that Digicel was approached because of its exemplary customer service ethos, Minister of Local Government & Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott said, “I do not think we could have chosen a better entity to partner with for this training programme. Digicel’s customer service is exemplary, and it is only fitting that we learn from the best.”

Since the start of the year, the telecommunication company has won top awards in customer service.

Digicel Group received the award for ‘Best Consumer Service Innovation’ at the annual Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards 2015 held in London; more recently, at the national level, Digicel Jamaica won the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ)/Jamaica Customer Service Association (JaCSA) Service Excellence Award for top quality service and customer care.

“It is very rewarding and encouraging for us as a brand, when our efforts are recognised by public sector institutions like the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, noted Digicel’s CEO, David Butler who was also present at the MOU signing.

“Digicel is committed to building and fostering a culture of service excellence across all our touch points and we are happy to see that the public sector shares this vision,” Butler continued.

Partnership between the public and private sector

Butler also added that, “For any country to grow and become competitive in this global marketplace, then the private and public sector must work together. Digicel is therefore very excited about this training initiative and we look forward to the remarkable results that this partnership will deliver.”

The training will be done over three modules – customer service skills, telephone etiquette and front office procedures/face to face communication. The Ministry will conduct surveys periodically to measure progress and use the data to guide the deployment of new strategies to achieve its desired results.

The first workshop will be held on June 3, 2015 with the training of the first cohort of participants from the Ministry. The programme is expected to be completed by August 31, 2015. 

BILL TO GIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION PASSED BY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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The Constitution (Amendment) (Local Government) Bill, 2014, has just been passed by the House of Representatives (May 12). The Bill, which must now be considered by the Senate for approval, seeks to insert provisions for the system of Local Government into the Constitution of Jamaica.

The Bill defines the purposes of Local Government, which include encouraging and assisting the effective participation of local communities in local government, and giving Local Authorities the ability to provide local public services, facilities and any related activities to the benefit of local communities and the wider public. Local Authorities will also be empowered to carry out regulatory functions as allowed by law.

The Bill also establishes the power of Parliament to pass laws that will allow Local Authorities to generate and spend their own revenue. Parliament is also given the authority to assign functions between the various levels of government and to determine how Local Authorities are constituted and their functions defined. Parliament will also have the power to determine the holding of Local Government elections among other things.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY HITS BACK AT ALLEGATIONS THAT USE OF PRIVATE LAWYER FOR ITS PERMANENT SECRETARY’S DEFENCE WAS IMPROPER

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is refuting claims recently aired by Radio Jamaica that persons within and outside the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, have expressed concern and outrage at the use of private legal counsel in the defence of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Dione Jennings. This emerged from the serving of summons on Mrs. Jennings by the Southern Regional Health Authority, arising from the Riverton Disposal Site smoke nuisance that occurred in March.

The Ministry, in fact, through formal letters dated March 23 and March 25, sought guidance from the Attorney-General’s Chambers regarding the most appropriate course of action. Specifically, the Ministry requested, among other things, that the Chambers provide representation in the matter. The Chambers responded on March 26 and gave clear advice to the effect that “…we are unable to do so having regard to the fact that the Chambers only appears in matters of a civil nature. The summons was issued pursuant to the petty session jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, which is a criminal jurisdiction. Consequently, the proceedings are of a criminal nature. It would therefore not be appropriate for a member of these Chambers to appear in a representative capacity. We would therefore urge you to utilize independent counsel…”

The Ministry further enquired whether it would be appropriate for the Ministry’s lawyers to represent the Ministry, and was advised that the Ministry’s lawyers could instruct external Counsel, who is experienced in criminal matters.

This was done, and the Ministry’s lawyers instructed Attorney-At-Law Mr. Peter Champagnie ,who defended the Permanent Secretary at no charge to the public purse.

Local Government Minister announces Pilot Streetlight Programme

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott, has announced a pilot streetlight programme that will involve Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology. In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate today, the Minister indicated that 500 LED-powered Streetlights will be installed in various communities islandwide, with special consideration to be given to the six parishes with the best rate of Property Tax compliance. These parishes are Kingston/St. Andrew, the Portmore Municipality, Hanover, St. James, St. Mary and Westmoreland.

In stating that this tax is critical to the provision of streetlights among other things, the Minister revealed that the 2014/15 Property Tax collection target of J$7.26 billion was surpassed, with J$7.447 billion collected as at March 31.

Minister Arscott also provided an update about the general provision of streetlights. “Last year I reported to this Honourable House that a Request For Proposal (RFP) would be issued for the retrofitting of the streetlights with efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED). These will reduce power consumption and cost of service by over 60%.  The RFP was delayed to enable legal review and assessment options for structuring and financing the LED street lighting project. The IDB will finalize the consultant’s report by the end of April.

We are in the final stage of determining the approach for the replacement programme with the Energy Sector Enterprise Team (ESET), Jamaica Public Service and the Ministry of Finance. Our objective is to have the existing streetlights replaced over a period of 12 months once the service provider is chosen. Arising from this, the JPS has four weeks, commencing April 15, 2015, to prepare and submit a proposal for the replacement of the existing streetlights.”

Local Government Minister announces Launch of Special Community Development Programme through Small Business

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Local Government and Community Development Minister, Noel Arscott, says the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), will be launched next month.

In his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate today, Mr. Arscott announced that while the programme will be officially launched in May, the LEDSP is already being implemented through the Ministry’s Agency, the Social Development Commission (SDC). The SDC  is providing assistance through training, business plan development and networking of more than 60 projects island-wide, valued at J$268 million.  Additional projects, at a minimum value of J$33 million are proposed for this financial year.

Mr. Arscott stated that the LEDSP will allow for job creation for people within their communities. “The Local Economic Development Support Programme is island-wide in scope, and designed to bring partners in your area together, to create opportunities for you.

In preparation for the program, 27 SDC officers were trained and certified in social entrepreneurship and business development by the Mona school of business at the University of the West Indies, and scores of community persons have received training in models for business development in island wide workshops organized by the SDC. In addition, 16 business and entrepreneurship seminars were held, and 31 business plans created. The SDC has been working with people in their communities, to develop viable business projects in agriculture, beekeeping/apiculture, craft, food processing, plastic bottle recycling and water harvesting among others. The SDC, working with its partners, implemented 74 successful initiatives, valued at J$450 million.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER NAMES NEW NSWMA BOARD

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Noel Arscott, has named a new Board of Directors for the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA). The new nine-member Board is to be chaired by Dennis Chung, and will include businessman Mr. Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, and environmentalist Ms. Bevon Morrison.

The Minister also announced an increase in the original reward of J$50,000 by Crime Stop, to J$300,000, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in starting the fires at Riverton Disposal Site.

In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate at Gordon House today, the Minister expressed regret about the recent fires at Riverton, and stated that a short to medium-term Operational Plan is being implemented to address the issues there. These include the covering of the Disposal Site, which has been completed:

    • Re-establishing tipping cells and roads to access the cells.
    • Installing fire suppression equipment with pump and a 125-thousand gallon water tank
    • The construction of the Riverton access road using concrete solution
    • Removing the stock of tyres from the Disposal Site
    •  Separation of waste (plastic, organic)

In addressing these plans, the Minister advised that tipping cells will be re-established, utilizing one cell at a time, not exceeding five acres, and covered in keeping with the Environmental Permit granted by the National Environment Planning Agency (NEPA). The cells will be covered once per month, and this model will be implemented at all 8 disposal sites island-wide. Minister Arscott also stated that the fire suppression system will be fully operational by August this year, and that similar system will be installed at Retirement Disposal Site in St. James in the next fiscal year. With regard to the expected access road to the Riverton Site, the Minister announced that work will commence this year, at a cost of US$1.8 million.

The portfolio Minister also disclosed that progress has been made in the long-term strategy, of divesting existing disposal sites to facilitate waste management solutions. “As it relates to the divestment of the sites, two Requests for Proposals for the utilization of waste were issued without success. We will however be approaching the investment community again, given the positive responses we have received from the invitations for Expressions of Interest. In this regard, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that Cabinet has approved the establishment and authorization of an Enterprise Team led by Mr. Richard Gordon, to select the preferred waste management services provider.”

Minister Arscott stated that the governing Agency, the National Solid Waste Management Agency (NSWMA) will be supported in its public cleansing mandate through the provision of 10 trucks valued at J$250-million. The regulatory powers of the NSWMA are also to be strengthened through the passage of the National Solid Waste Management (Public Cleansing) Regulations, 2015 and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (Disposal of Solid Waste) Regulations, 2015.

Additionally, the Minister indicated that he will be seeking to increase the fines for littering in public places.

Local Government Minister to name new NSWMA Board

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Local Government Minister Noel Arscott has announced that a new Board of Directors is to be installed at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

 

In the wake of media reports that a number of Board members have resigned, in the midst of the smoke nuisance at Riverton Disposal Site, and the decision not to renew the contract of former Executive Director of the Agency, Jennifer Edwards, the Minister announced that 7 of the 11 members have departed the Board. This means that the Board has no quorum which would allow it to meet or take decisions.

“It is now my task to seek new membership to reconstitute the Board of the NSWMA, and I am grateful for a number of expressions of interest that I have already received. I intend in short order to propose a new Board to Cabinet for approval, so that the Agency can have the certainty of having a Board of Directors, who in turn can make the necessary decisions about the direction and executive complement of the Agency.” The Minister also stated that the Board will among other things, be responsible for considering divestment options in relation to the Riverton Disposal Site.

Private Sector Interested in Riverton

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Local Government Minister Noel Arscott has announced that an Enterprise Team has been established to examine proposals from private sector entities that have expressed interest in taking over the management of the Riverton Disposal Site. “An Enterprise Team has been approved by Cabinet to examine 15 proposals and to come up with a solution, having done an evaluation, (of) whether a waste to energy or a waste management facility is feasible…. the committee will examine all the options to privatise the dump.”

 

The Minister also revealed that the issue of a tipping fee, which is the amount charged for the offloading of garbage has been a major sticking point in the effort to divest Riverton to private entities.

 

“In Jamaica, we currently charge $1,000 per truck load, and it is called an administration fee. It is a significant source of revenue for managers of landfills. Because of the way our country has evolved, we don’t have a tipping fee and it is part and parcel of some of the problems with limited resources in managing the thing properly,” Mr. Arscott said.

 

The Local Government Minister also announced that the Disposal Site is now almost completely covered, and that “plans are now in place that it will be maintained and that no more than 10 acres will be opened at any given time”.

 

The recent fire, which is the biggest ever at the disposal site, has cost J$235 million, to date, to extinguish. The Minister announced that as of June this year, tyres – one of the biggest contributors to smoke nuisance – will no longer be accepted at Riverton. “The management of organic waste is also of concern, as it is well known that where it exists in abundance, there is the production of methane gas and the chances of spontaneous combustion increase. We are also going to reduce the amount of organic material going into the dump, and with the help of the Government of Japan, we will be establishing a facility, separate from Riverton, for the processing of organic waste.”