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Staff Changes Implemented to Improve Operations at the National Solid Waste Management Authority

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The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) wishes to advise that effective 01stJanuary 2013, the following changes will take effect:
·         Mr. Percival Stewart will assume the position of Director of Operations. He will replace Colonel Allan Douglas who has proceeded on retirement.
·         Mr. Adrian Grant will be transferred to MPM Waste Management Limited as the Regional Operations Manager (ROM).
·         Mr. Washington Grant will be transferred to the NSWMA Enforcement and Compliance Division.
In addition, the Minister of Local Government and Community Development Honourable Noel Arscott has commenced discussion with the Ministry of Finance in an effort to secure funding for the deployment of additional trucks to collect and dispose of solid waste from various communities.
 The Minister has also instructed the MPM Waste Management Limited to have the Kingston Metropolitan Region and sections of Portmore that are in backlog cleaned and cleared within fourteen (14) days

NSWMA implements revised plan to clear garbabge pile up in Corporate Area and Portmore

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The MPM Waste Management Limited wishes to apologize for the delay in the collection of solid waste from some communities in the Kingston Metropolitan Region and sections of Portmore over the past week. This delay is caused by our inability to complete the collection cycle due to various reasons including mechanical problems being experienced by units from our hired fleet. The situation is further compounded by the increased volume of solid waste generated at social functions and family gatherings at this time of the year.
We have since reassessed the situation and have now implemented a revised plan that will include additional trips per unit, assigning new units and night collection. We anticipate that the backlog communities will be cleared in the coming days.
We are asking residents to ensure that their solid waste is placed on the outside of their premises for collection and also to contact the Community Relations Department toll free at 1 888 253 2652 or 448 3220 to get information on their scheduled collection day.

Local Government Minister Urges End to Littering- reminds public that littering is an offence

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Minister of Local Government & Community Development Hon Noel Arscott, has appealed to the public to dispose of their waste properly, and to be mindful of the environmental impact of improper garbage disposal.
Minister Arscott was speaking at a ceremony for the handing over of a donation of drums to the National Solid Waste Management Authority, on Thursday, December 20, 2012.
The Minister said that the act of littering was a thoughtless one in which too many indulged,   “the tossing of trash in the gullies, on the streets and out the windows of our cars, seems like a matter of reflex for most people” he said.
He purported that improper garbage disposal contributes to the extensive flooding often experienced during the rainy season. He added that the sums spent annually on drain cleaning could be significantly less if people did not litter.
The Minister also used the opportunity to appeal to citizens to be particularly conscious about the amount of waste they produce during the festive season. “It is a time of increased consumption and consequently increased waste generation” he said, pointing out that approximately 50% of all waste handled by the island’s landfills is bio-degradable.
“By compositing much of our household waste we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and the demands on solid waste disposal services.” He added.
The Local Government Minister reminded the public that it was an offence to litter public spaces, break bottle or glass in a public space and to deposit litter in a private place without the consent of the owner and that persons who commit such offences will face penalties.
The National Solid Waste Management Authority received a total of 2000 drums from Jamaica bedding/Ojay Koolers for placement in Old Harbour, Spanish Town and May Pen.

Trench Town Fire Station Reopens: Task force formed to look at needs of Fire Stations Islandwide

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Minister of State Hon Colin Fagan announced the formation of a Task Force to look at addressing the needs of the Jamaica Brigade. The Honourable Minister made this announcement, at the re-opening of the Jamaica Fire Brigade station at Trench Town on December 20, 2012.
The Trench Town Fire station was closed after it was discovered that the roof contained asbestos.   With the Ministry of Local Government leading the way on this collaborative effort between the Jamaica Fire Brigade and civil society, the Trench Town Fire Station also underwent electrical, plumbing, floor and window repairs before it was reopened after being closed for several months.
In his address Minister Fagan highlighted the vital service that firefighters give to the nation and commended their efforts to do so under undesirable conditions.   As a result, he voiced the Ministry’s commitment to improving the working conditions of firefighters.
The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of Quality Dealers Ltd. who assisted by providing materials to refurbish the Fire Station and Mr. Gregory Cato who volunteered his roofing expertise. The Minister also commended the Brigade’s building officers for their keen oversight of the project.   The Minister revealed that this collaborative effort seen at Trench Town was also replicated in the refurbishing process of the Santa Cruz Fire Station, thus signaling the success of Local Governance at the local level.

This project was carefully monitored by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to ensure that it was, kept in budget, completed in accordance to the Brigades Standards, Government of Jamaica Procurement Guidelines, and the regulations of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).

Local Government marks International Human Rights Day with a Conference in Kingston.

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The main community development arm of the Ministry, the Social Development Commission, recognized Monday December 10, 2012 as International Human Rights Day by hosting its first conference on International Human Rights at the Jamaica Conference Center.   The objective of the conference was to educate community based organizations and citizens of their human rights as stipulated in the Jamaica Charter of Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Freedom.

 

Minister Colin Fagan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development supported the efforts of the Social Development Commission, in developing community based organizations (CBOs) awareness of human rights so that they can better advocate and protect citizens’ rights.

 

In his opening address Minister Fagan stated that the “treatment and preservation of basic human rights” is indicative to the progress of any nation.  He alluded to the society’s need to assess its progress towards goal 2 of Jamaica’s Vision 2030 program which seeks to ensure that the “Jamaican Society is secure, cohesive and just.”   He called for greater collaboration by the Jamaican society and greater effort by government to improve its ranking as it relates to our commitments under various international treaties to which we are signatories.

 

The Honourable Minister of State gave an overview of the Ministry’s efforts to improve human rights by providing equitable and quality community services such as Emergency Management; Disaster Relief; care to the poor and destitute.  He added that the Ministry is working to implement rules to facilitate social justice by ensuring equitable and holistic participatory governance through the Parish Development Committees, Community Development and other civil society groups.

 

Other presenters at the conference were Hon. Mark Golding, Minister of Justice and Opposition Spokesman on Justice Mr. Delroy Chuck.  Mrs. Jacqueline Samuels Brown, Attorney at   Law was guest speaker.   

Jamaica Host Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management

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Jamaica hosted the 7th conference of the Caribbean Disaster Emergancy Management Agency (CDEMA) chaired by Hon Noel Arscott Minister of Local Government & Community Development, at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay from December 3-7, 2012.

This annual conference is used by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to facilitate discussions of ideas between disaster risk management professionals and policy makers on ways to “achieve sustainable loss reduction”.

The 7th annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) which focused on the theme “Building Disaster Resilience; a shared responsibility”, was facilitated by the Ministry through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.  The forum sought to bring member states together to share success stories and highlight what needs to be done to achieve minimal risk in the midst of regional climate changes.During this three day event a number of disaster risk practitioners shared ideas and raised issues in various sessions on the Caribbean’s propensity to risk and resilience to disaster.   Evolving from these discussions was the need for countries to promote a Disaster Resilience Agenda through increased collaboration among stakeholders, government and countries; increasing the utilization of Information and Communication Technology; monitoring and sharing best practices, addressing human and response deficits.

In his closing remarks Minister Noel Arscott commented that what he has learnt from the risk reduction practitioners will have’ far reaching impact’ on how he views this protion of the portfolio which he manages.  He then aptly articulated the way forward with the statement; “We must engage in a meaningful way, international discourse on Risk Management, development and resilience and the impact that this could have on our Regional goals.”

Ministry Undertakes POINT IN TIME SURVEY for the Homeless

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The Board of Supervision 2012 Point in Time Survey for the Homeless, the nation’s only and largest count of homeless individuals and families, took place across the island in the early mornings from November 18-24, 2012. The count was supported by the Parish Councils-Poor Relief Departments in collaboration with the invaluable assistance of Volunteers islandwide.
Volunteers included homeless service providers, NGOs, businesses, faith based groups, government agencies and academic organizations throughout the island. The Survey was organised to cover the 4,213 square miles which covers all cities and towns on the island, reaching individuals residing in shelter (Sheltered Count) and those residing in places not meant for human habitation (Unsheltered Count).
As the lead agency for addressing Homelessness, the Board of Supervision under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, coordinated the Homeless Count as part of a national effort to provide a current and accurate picture of Jamaica’s Homeless population.  This will provide data to support the need for funding and other resources to better identify appropriate service needs for the Homeless and thus fulfil the recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry Act into the force removal of street persons. This information also helps the government better understand the character and scale of homelessness nationally. Locally, the count provides valuable information to guide the allocation of limited resources for housing and services. It is also essential for future planning to prevent and end homelessness in Jamaica.
The Board of Supervision is presently collecting the data from the respective parishes for uploading to the Information Identification Homeless System (IIHS) which will form the homeless database for information to use for analysis of findings.
The homeless count was originally scheduled to take place from November 4-10, 2012 but was delayed due to hurricane Sandy.

Presentation of Awards Ends Celebration of Local Government & Community Month 2012

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Local Government & Community Month 2012 culminated on a high note with the staging of the Local Government Awards (for Local Authorities) on Friday, November 30, 2012.
The approximately one hundred and thirty (130) persons in attendance witnessed the handing out of awards in seven (7) categories.
The Kingston & St Andrew Corporation received the award for Improvement in Property Tax Collections, St Thomas Parish Council got the award for Enhancing Own Source Revenue, St Elizabeth Parish Council for Efforts at Improving the Welfare of the Poor, while the Westmoreland Parish Council copped two awards, one for efforts geared at Engaging Citizens’ Participation in the Affairs of Local Government and other which they shared with the Manchester Parish Council, for Implementation of Core Local Government Reform Initiatives.
Mayor of Savana-la-mar Councillor Bertel Moore attributes his council’s success at the awards function to good leadership and team work.
“I have thirteen (13) councillors that work with me, in whatever we are doing we work as a team and I have a Secretary/Manager who is next to none she is one of the best you can fine in Jamaica right now”, He said.
Meanwhile, the Minister’s awards presented to stakeholders (individual or organization) for partnership in the reform efforts of the Ministry, was presented to Food for the Poor and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).
Mrs Rhonda Lumsden-Lue General Manager Human Resource Management, MIS and Communications at JSIF, said she was very pleased to be accepting the award on behalf of her organization.  “When we told the staff they were extremely elated, and our managers and directors are very proud” she said. “It is good to know that the work that we are doing is being recognized”, she added.
The staging of the awards function which started in 2009 as a way of recognizing those Local Authorities that have performed creditably in respective areas of the Local Government Reform Programme, took place on the picturesque Laughing Water property located just outside of Ocho Rios in St, Ann. The setting provided the ideal atmosphere to meet the secondary objective of the function which was is to build rapport among members of the various councils and staff of the Ministry.

Minister Arscott Condemns Senseless Killing of Riverton Disposal Site Security Guard

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Jamaica’s Beauty Is Our Duty
NATIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
News Release
                                                                                  For Immediate Release
Kingston, Jamaica…………………………………………………23rd November 2012
The Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Noel Arscott has condemned the senseless killing of Valentine Reid, a Security Guard employed to Quest Security Services and stationed at the Riverton Disposal Site.
Its no easy feat working at the Disposal Site and for someone to ambush and kill another Human Being unprovoked is barbaric and cruel.
The Minister would like to offer the family and colleagues of Mr. Reid his sincere condolences and implore the security forces that no effort should be spared in bring those responsible to justice.
-END-
Contact
Shauna Guthrie (Mrs.)
Community Relations Manager
National Solid Waste Management Authority

[email protected] 386 1080

Youth Mayors Impress at Jamaica House

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Another featured activity of the annual Local Government & Community Development Month celebration took place on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. On that day the island’s fourteen (14) youth mayors paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller and had lunch with the Minister and other Local Government officials.
During the courtesy call the Prime Minister spoke to the youths breifly addressing some of the challenges she has faced as Prime Minister as well as the current view of politics as being dirty and nasty. ‘But, she added, ‘ if good people stay away from politics it will remain dirty and nasty’.  She also profferred that politicians need to set good examples by being civil to each other.
Despite the negatives however, Mrs Simpson Miller was encouraged by the presence of the youths as it was evidence of their interest and participation in the affairs of their  communities,  she was sure that they would effect positive changes in leadership, she added.
The youth mayors each got the chance to address the Prime Minister and they justified her confidence in them. Many spoke of the reaction of their fellow students to their appointments and the sense of responsibility and importance that they feel as youth mayors. They aslo spoke of their commitment to being shining examples for their peers.
John Powell of Black River assured the Prime Minister that indeed the future was secure in their hands as youth have the ‘innate propensity’  to fulfil the dreams of a better  Jamaica. While Shenneil James who was installed as  youth mayor for Montego Bay last year, broke down in tears as she told the Prime Minister that she was her inspiration and Serceia Brown of Mandeville said she was inspired to change her career goal from that of being a lawyer to being coming Prime Minister of Jamaica some day.
The Youth Council concept began in 1995 as a means sensitizing the youth of Jamaica about the operations of Local Government through the Local Authorities. To make the concept more meaningful the youth Mayors get a practical feel for council operations by acting as councillors for a day.
 Since 2001 the youth Mayors have been invited to a special luncheon with the sitting Minister of Local Government as well as to pay a courtesy call on the Governor General or the Prime Minister during Local Government Month.