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Contract Signed for the Construction of Stalls in the Black River Market

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the St. Elizabeth Parish Council, in partnership with Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the Tourism Enhancement Fund, signed a contract for the construction of 170 stalls at the newly rehabilitated Black River Market. The contract was officially awarded to Tank Weld at an official signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. This signifies the start of Phase 2 of the rehabilitation process, as Phase 1 was recently completed at a cost of $31.5 million

The Ministry has been collaborating with the local authorities to identify and develop key strategic markets across the Island. The parochial markets, which are operated by the Councils and centrally positioned across the parishes, are critical for the support of a number of stakeholders who rely on these facilities to improve their economic and social well-being. 25 key markets have been identified for rehabilitation, and will be undertaken by the Ministry, in conjunction with the respective local authorities. The project in Black River is the first to be implemented.

At the contract signing ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honorable Noel Arscott, reminded persons of the importance of maintaining the country’s infrastructures. He affirmed that ‘we have to understand how important the improvement and maintenance of these infrastructures are to the sustainable growth and development of the local economy. After the Technical Team has done their part, it is up to the necessary stakeholders to preserve the physical and organizational structure of the market.’

The final phase of the project, comprising of the construction of proper sanitary convenience and the meat and fish market, is expected to begin as soon as Phase 2 is completed.

ICT Systems for Local Authorities

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On Tuesday March 11, 2014 the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) handed over computer equipment, valued over $4 million, to the Ministry Of Local Government and Community Development and the various Local Authorities, in an official handing over ceremony held at the Ministry. The equipment were procured under the Access to Services component of the Inner City Basic Services Project (ICBSP).  This component of the ICBSP is wherefunding is allocated to support the procurement of basic equipment and the provision of technical assistance, to strengthen management and operations at the local level.
Minister Noel Arscott, who delivered the main address at the ceremony, expressed his appreciation and explained how the computer equipment, specifically the CISCO router will help to improve the development application process; ‘The CISCO routers will enable the different local area networks of the AMANDA LAs to communicate and share data and information securely. All the equipment being handed over today is expected to help strengthen productivity and efficiency in the development approval process. It will integrate with the AMANDA software leading to the development of a helpdesk throughout the Parish Councils, and therefore allowing for greater compliance.’

At the ceremony, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) handed over ten (10) CISCO Routers, Seven (7) desktop Computers with Office Suite, one (1) HP Designjet T520 Colour Plotter and one (1) All in One HP Laserjet Pro 500 Printer. As a result of this investment by JSIF ten Local Authorities will be positively impacted.

Repairs forthcoming for road to Riverton

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Plans are under way to carry out repairs on the road leading to the Riverton landfill.

Officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development took the Mexican Ambassador to Jamaica, Gerardo Lozano, and a team from CEMEX on a tour of the landfill yesterday as they sought assistance to repair the road.

“This will have a great impact on the residents as even on Monday one resident was complaining about dust on the road,” Hazel Anderson, Councillor of the Seaview Gardens division told The Gleaner.

“Even the drivers of the trucks complain all the time that the road is so bad that they have to drive very slowly to the dump which is time consuming,” she added.

Noel Arscott, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said he took the ambassador on a tour of the landfill in order to finalise the technical aspects of the project.

He said that the project is estimated to cost just under US$1million.

“I am visiting this area for the first time and I recognise the benefits that we can bring for the community with projects like this. We have experts from the United Nations who will participate in this project and I am confident that after having all the technical information, we can start as soon as possible” the Mexican Ambassador told The Gleaner.

Published by the Jamaica Gleaner, March 15, 2014

Port Royal Fire Station Re-Opened

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The Port Royal Fire Station was reopened yesterday February 5th, 2014. Honourable Colin Fagan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development with direct responsibility for the Jamaica Fire Brigade, gave the main address at the rededication ceremony held at the Fire Station. The Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to upgrading fire stations across the Island; ‘We are striving to develop the Jamaica Fire Brigade in such ways that will ensure a contemporary Fire Service commensurate with its designation as an essential service; the evolution of a World Class Logistics hub will necessitate us fast-tracking our plans in progress. The Jamaica Fire Brigade will undertake its major essential roles and functions in ensuring fire safety and prevention, protection of life and property and the realization of “Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”’

In 2012, the Firefighters were relocated and the rehabilitation process started soon after it was discovered that the roof of the Fire Station contained asbestos. All traces of asbestos have now been removed and properly disposed of, the building has been re-roofed and the Firefighters are now able to operate from their original station. Work is expected to be carried out on a number of fire stations across the rest of the island in short order.

Integrated Operation and Control Centre (IOCC) for the City of Montego Bay

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The Inter-American Development  Bank  (IDB)  launched the Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative (ESCI) in  2011  to  support cities  with populations  between  100,000 and 2,000,000 people. The aim of which is to aid in the design of long-term strategies for sustainable development. This initiative has three (3) dimensions: (i) Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; (ii) Urban Sustainability; and (iii) Fiscal Sustainability and Governance.

After various discussions and numerous assessments, Montego Bay was chosen as the city for intervention of the initiative. It was further decided that the establishment of an Integrated Operating Control Centre (IOCC) was critical in addressing some of the urban issues affecting the city of Montego Bay. The IOCC will consist of a monitoring room with twelve 50” CCTV Monitoring Screens and other ICT computer infrastructure including GIS mapping of the city’s urban infrastructure that are constantly monitored by Government experts from at least two or more urban classifications, such as traffic, crime and disaster management. This is expected to enable Local Authorities to make more effective planning decisions and to enable effective and greater utilization of limited resources.

In 2013, the Inter-American Development Bank sought additional support from the Korean Government to “develop a complete and detailed Technical Project Design with an Implementation Plan for the IOCC solution for Montego Bay to be integrated with Kingston’s systems”, and as such the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS) was engaged for consultation.

Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS) presented their final results at the three-day Workshop held during January 22nd – 24th, 2014 at the St. James Parish Council. The Workshop was to garner feedback on the diagnostic results to be incorporated into the final report scheduled for February 2014. The IOCC is expected to be implemented in three phases, with phase one concentrating in the Downtown Area, Greater Montego Bay in phase two and expansion of the system in phase three. The IOCC is a critical component of the ESCI, which will be located at the St. James Parish Council. The Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, delivered the main address.

Please see the download link below for the Minister’s speech.

SPEAKING NOTES – IOCC Workshop (1)

 

NSWMA Apeals to citizens to desist from entering disposal site, on the heels of recent accidental death

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Kingston, Jamaica……………………………………………………04th December 2012
The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) wishes to advise that a male was crushed on the Riverton Disposal Site late this afternoon.
The accident happened when a D9 Heavy Duty Equipment that was carrying out regular spreading and covering on the disposal site, ran over the young man.
The matter is being investigated by the Hunt’s Bay Police who are now on the scene.
The Authority is again renewing our plea to citizens to desist from entering the disposal sites in their search for items considered to be of value. The management of NSWMA and MPM Waste Management Limited express regret at the tragedy and offer condolences to the family.
Contact
Shauna Guthrie (Mrs.)
National Solid Waste Management Authority
885 1245

Local Government & Community Month Closes with Prestigious Awards Function

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A total of eighty one (81) awards were handed out during the Local Government & Community Awards function held at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Thursday, November 28, 2013.
In continuation of the unification of what use to be celebrated by the Ministry of Local as Local Government Month and by the Social Development Commission as Community Month, Thursday’s awards function combined the SDC’s community awards with the Ministry’s awards for Local Authorities.  The result being that awardees in the SDC sports competitions as well as Local Government reform initiatives came together with community based organization for one big celebration.
In delivering the main address Minister of Local Government & Community Development the Honourable Noel Arscott said he was pleased with the efforts to synergize the Ministry’s mandate with that of the SDC. “We are one in our vision and our mission to build Jamaica starting at the community level” he declared.
Minister Arscott also said it was fitting as Local Government & Community Month is being celebrated under the theme A Prosperous Economy Starts with my Community that time is taken to applaud the efforts of the many player and contributors to the community development process. He spoke of the Ministry’s implementation of the Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED) and the SDC’s Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP) as well as their cricket and netball competitions as critical programmes for energising, growing and engaging citizens and communities.
Minister Arscott congratulated all the winners, practitioners and stakeholders for the “active role they continue to play in their communities”.
These winners included the top four teams in the SDC’s twenty/twenty cricket competition first place, Junction/Bull Savannah; second place, Richmond Park; third place, Peterville; and fourth place, Jacks River and the top four teams in Petrojam sponsored netball team first place, Mandeville United; second place, Titchfield Phoenix; third place, Westchester Netball Team; and fourth place, Catherine Mount Netball Team. Several community-based cricket and netball teams were also recognised during the awards ceremony.
In additional to awards in the cricket and netball competitions the SDC also awarded Governance Capacity Grant Funding (GCGF), valued at $700,000, to seven community based organizations.
Recipients of the Local Government Awards for Local Authorities were;.
·         St. Catherine Parish Council for Most Improved in Property Tax Collections
·         Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, Most Improved in Enhancing Own Source Revenue Collection
·         St. Mary Parish Council, Best Performance in Improving the Welfare of the Poor
·         St. Ann Parish Council, Best Performance in the Provision of Indigent Housing
·         Manchester Parish Council, Engaging Citizens Participation in the Affairs of the Local Authority
·         Westmoreland Parish Council, was awarded the Most Outstanding performance in Implementing Core Local Government Reform Initiatives as well as Best Performance in the Development Approval Process.
The Local Government Awards began in 2009 as a way of recognizing those Local Authorities that have performed creditably in respective areas of the Local Government Reform Programme and demonstrating their commitment to the local government reform process.  This was the first time that the awards were being combined with the SDC’s community awards.

Youth Mayors Shine during Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Simpson Miller

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Every year as part of the Local Government & Community Month the Ministry facilitates a courtesy on the Most Honourable Prime Minister, by the island’s fourteen Youth Mayors. Here the young people get a chance to interact with the Prime Minister and to be treated by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry to a Luncheon arranged solely in their honour.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller who took time out to be photographed with each student, said she was very hopeful about the future of Jamaica, having listened to the Youth Mayors talk about themselves and their plans for the future. She told the youths that if they remain positive, don’t pay attention to critic but stay focus on their goals they could achieve anything.
Among the Youth Mayors were two primary school students Clinton Brown of Watford Hill Primary in Hanover and Kayla J Moss Solomon of Belmont Park Primary in Portmore.
Youth Councils are held in Local Authorities annually during the November, Local Government & Community Month and is part of a public education effort aimed at educating students about the Local Government System in Jamaica. The youth council concept began, young people/students are selected as youth councillors, representing the various parish council divisions and to make the experience more practical the youths get a feel for council operations by acting as councillors for a day. Through competitions such as debates and essay writing, each youth council selects one individual to serve as youth mayor.
Since 2001 the Youth Mayors have been invited to have a luncheon with the sitting Minister of Local Government as well as to pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

Poor Relief Activities on Display for Local Government and Community Month

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In observance of November as Local Government & Community Month, the Board of Supervision (BOS), an agency of the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development, hosted an Open Day in the Ministry’s Car Park on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. The occasion was also used to launch an islandwide collection drive which the Board will be carrying out to boast their supplies for the poor.
In declaring the day open, Minister of State the Honourable Colin Fagan applauded the efforts of the BOS, which has oversight responsibility for poor relief activities, and thank the other entities who participated in the Open Day. He said that the Board and its partners lived their motto show you care, do your share everyday ‘and through this event, invite others to do the same’.
Pointing out that the success of the Board’s poor relief activities has been achieved with the input of many caring and generous individuals and organizations, Minister of State Fagan declared that the Open Day provided the opportunity for the public to learn more about, and become part of, the great work being done by the BOS. “Learn just how you can do this, by availing yourself of the wealth of information that exist on the many activities and programmes of the BOS and by extension the poor relief departments….” he implored.
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Entities that participated in the BOS’ Open Day included sister agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, some businesses in the area such as Tyre Warehouse, Medical Supplies Ltd, as well as, BOS care facilities such as Open Arms Drop in Centre and the Maria Atkins Night Shelter. Secretary to the BOS Mr. Barrington Parsons said he was truly appreciative of all the entities that came on board and helped to make the day a success. “The public turn out wasn’t what we had hoped, but we still managed to collect quite a number of items”, he said while encouraging other citizens to donate.
The objectives of the BOS Open Day were to increase public awareness of the many activities and programmes of the BOS and by extension the poor relief department, to increase the sustained support of the Business community in supporting the Poor Relief Service and to launch its collection drive which continues with drums and boxes being placed at the islands thirteen (13) infirmaries.
Next item on the agenda for the commemoration of Local Government & Community Month 2013 is the hosting of a luncheon for the island’s fourteen youth mayors following a courtesy call on the Most Honourable Prime Minister on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Local Government & Community Month 2013 :-Promoting a Prosperous Economy through Community Interventions

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On Sunday November 3, 2013 the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development along with the Social Development Commission (SDC), will officially launch Local Government and Community Month 2013 under the theme: A Prosperous Economy Starts with My Community.   The launch will take the form of a National Church Service which is to be held at the Portmore United Church in Bridgeport in honour of the late Mayor of Portmore, George Lee.
This is the second year that Local Government Month and Community Month are being observed as one occasion. In previous years the Social Development Commission (SDC), which was with other Ministries would celebrate Community Month at the same time that Local Government Month was being commemorated by the Ministry. With the SDC becoming an agency of the Ministry in 2012 it was apparent to all concerned that a synergy would be most fitting.
This year’s theme was deliberately selected as one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities is Local Economic Development which is currently being pursued and actively facilitated through the implementation of the Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED). The Programme is to be implemented in 6 areas (5 parishes and 1 Municipality) through funding support provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada (DFATD) – formerly CIDA. The theme also embraces and promotes the role of local government in  facilitating community empowerment and self-reliance by harnessing the local resources, and accessing external resources to stimulate local commercial activities and economic growth.
Following the launch on Sunday the commemoration of Local Government and Community Month continues with major events including a Local Government & Community Awards Ceremony, Community Development Committee consultations, the hosting of the Youth Mayors by the Most Honourable Prime Minister, SDC Local Economic Development Projects in various communities, the launch of the Governance Thematic Working Group as well as Expositions including one being spearheaded the Board of Supervision Expo
Local Government & Community Month provides the opportunity to increase public awareness of Local Governance, as well as, highlight the role, function and work of the Local Authorities,  the SDC, other affiliate Agencies and partners. It will also foster community, economic and social development activities while deepening the relationship with the the people. Consequently, all fourteen Local Authorities will be implementing programmes and activities to mark the month and to highlight the economic development projects and prospects in their jurisdiction.