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Alternate Energy Pilot Underway at the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is forging ahead with its agreement with Green RG LLC, an alternative energy company based in the United States, to conduct a pilot project involving several Local Government entities.
On Thursday May 3, 2012, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, the Honourable Noel Arscott announced the selection of the facilities that will be used for the project. The Minister said that a work order has been issued for the supply of solar-LED technology and retrofitting of:
1.      Five thousand (5,000) street lights in Clarendon, St. Catherine and Kingston
2.      The Ministry’s Administrative Buildings
3.      The St. Mary and Manchester infirmaries
4.      The Brown’s Town and Coronation Markets
5.      The St. James Parish Council Building
This pilot project is being conducted under the terms of an MOU signed between the Ministry and Green RG LLC late last year and is designed to demonstrate the United States based company’s patented technology which it asserts will result in at least a 20% reduction in electricity costs in the selected entities.  The company has been conducting energy audits of various local government facilities.
While welcoming the initiative which he says will result in an initial saving of approximately $40 million per year ($30 million of which is on the streetlight bill alone), Minister Arscott said the pilot programme is but a drop in the bucket as the cost for streetlights has increased by an alarming 83% between January 2009 and February 2012 and there are approximately ninety-three thousand (93,000) street lights in Jamaica which is projected to cost the Ministry approximately $2.62 billion this year alone.
As a result, the Minister says he will be pursuing other energy saving alternatives, “two months ago I (along with the Hon. Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining) established a street light task force with a view of drastically reducing our streetlight bill. The first report of that Committee is now ready”.
Meanwhile the Green RG pilot, which is still in the energy audit phase, is expected to be completed in September 2013. The programme is being conducted at no cost to the Government of Jamaica and the Office of the Contractor General has issued a ‘No Objection’ to this pilot.

Steady Progress During Minister Arscott’s First 100 Days

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Minister of Local Government & Community Development the Honourable Noel Arscott, says he intends to finalize the entrenchment of Local Government in the Jamaican constitution in this the fiftieth year of the nation’s political independence.

The Minister, who was speaking at a press briefing convened to highlight the achievements of his first 100 days in office, said that the entrenchment of local government in the Jamaica constitution is an important part of the legislative agenda of the reform programme as it will provide the necessary protection to the Local Government System from the political agendas of different Ministers.
In addition to providing on update on the progress of the legislative agenda, Minister Arscott highlighted efforts being made in the areas of institutional strengthening, upgrading of markets and social water provisions, as well as, efforts to transform the status quo as it relates to streetlights and solid waste management.
Some of the highlights included, the review of the Portmore model which is being done with a view to replicating the model in other parishes, an announcement that the Ministry is looking into creating new positions for Town Managers under a Town Council Model in an effort to concentrate higher levels of service and responsiveness in areas where there is greater demand, and the clearing of outstanding balances owed to the National Water Commission for public water as well as an inter-ministerial effort to aid drought affected communities.
Minister Ascott also spoke to other joint venture efforts such as the arrangement with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the upgrading of the island’s market which has resulted in the refurbishing of Spaulding Market, and the commencement of work on the Rocky Point and Black River Markets; the signing of an MOU with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for expansion of the NSWMA’s composting facility; the establishment of a street light task force to examine ways of reducing the country’s streetlight bill as well as, an Inter-Ministerial Task Force on the management of waste disposal and waste to energy development. The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining is part of both task forces.
In closing the Minister expressed his desire for greater achievements under the reform programme.
“It is my sincere hope that together we can continue to positively impact the lives of all Jamaicans through our stewardship, representation and provision of improved services through a reformed local government system which is reflective of the high expectations, greater efficiencies within the Local Authorities and agencies and selfless service of those who serve at all levels”, he said.

Minister Noel Arscott presides over the recently held inaugural board meeting of the Board of Supervision

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Minister Noel Arscott presides over the recently held inaugural board meeting of the Board of Supervision at the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development   in April.  The Board of Supervision, (for the relief of the poor in Jamaica), is a statutory body operating under the portfolio of the Ministry.  It was established under the Poor Relief Act to supervise and monitor the delivery of the poor relief service performed by the Parish Councils and KSAC.

Seated from left: Recording Secretary Lois McGregor, Secretary to the Board, Barrington Parsons, Chairman of the Board, Prof. Denise Eldemire Shearer, Minister Noel Arscott, Permanent Secretary, Sharon Crooks, Marcia Vidal, Cllr. Carlton Bailey and Marlon Lowe. Other Board members missing from photo are: Joy Fagan, Dwight Campbell and Dr. Winston De La Haye.

Newly elected Mayors and deputy Mayors

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Mayors meet with Minister Arscott (sitting 3rd left), Permanent Secretary, Sharon Crooks (sitting 3rd right) & State Minister Colin Fagan(sitting 2nd right) during an official meeting at the Ministry’s offices at 85 Hagley Park Road, Kingston as part of their first official engagement with the Ministerial team.
Seated in front row from left: Mayor of Morant Bay, Cllr. Marsha Francis, Mayor of Kingston, Cllr. Angela Brown-Burke, Mayor of Lucea, Cllr. Shernet Haughton. Standing in first row from left: Mayor of Port Antonio, Cllr. Benny White, Mayor of Portmore, George Lee, Mayor of Black River, Cllr. Everton Fisher, Mayor of Port Maria, Cllr. Levan Freeman, Mayor of Falmouth, Cllr. Garth Wilkinson, Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Cllr. Desmond Gilmore, Mayor of Savanna-la-mar, Cllr. Bertel Moore. Standing in back row from left: Mayor of Spanish Town, Cllr. Norman Scott & Mayor of May Pen, Cllr. Scean Barnswell .
Missing from photo are: Mayor of Mandeville, Cllr. Brenda Ramsay and Mayor of Montego Bay, Cllr. Glendon Harris.
 
Jamaica’s newly elected mayors and deputy mayors met with the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Noel Arscott and State Minister, Hon. Colin Fagan at the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development offices on Wednesday April 4, 2012.
The meeting was the first since the Local Government political officials were sworn in as Chairmen of their respective councils. The meeting was designed to facilitate face-to-face dialogue with the Ministerial team at which the mayors raised critical issues of local governance as well as outlined their vision for their parish.
In his charge to the political directorate of parish government, the Minister underscored the need for councils to operate in a transparent, responsive and responsible manner in approaching the issues of governance.
The Minister also used the opportunity to outline the current status and priority programmes of Local Government Reform.

Jamaica Set to Benefit From CD$23 Million Regional Local Economic Development Project

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Jamaica’s local government system has the opportunity to benefit over the next six years from a C$23 million regional local economic development project of which $18.9m will be a contribution from the Government of Canada through CIDA.
 This information was provided to the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott at his office recently during a visit by an inception mission led by Programme Director, Dr. Naresh Singh. He was accompanied by Miss Sekeywi Carruthers, Project Manager of CIDA. During the inception phase of the programme, six (6) countries will be selected to be the initial beneficiaries in the first three (3) years of the programme.
In his welcoming remarks, Minister Arscott expressed his endorsement of the project noting that it coincides with the government’s thrust in promoting a community based approach to economic growth and job creation as a key strategy in revitalizing local governance.
The Minister in his capacity as Chairman of the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM) added that he was extremely pleased with the timeliness of the project as the CFLGM had played a pivotal role in the development of this project.

Major Clean-up & Rodent Eradication Programme for Corporate Area

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The government is to take a multi-stakeholder approach to launching a major rodent eradication programme within the corporate area and its immediate environs and some townships.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Noel Arscott at a meeting this morning of principals of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Ministry of Health, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation and technical personnel from his ministry articulated a multi-pronged plan for managing what has been identified as a major rat infestation problem within the Corporate Area.
The immediate plans will include an inspection by the chief public health inspector’s team following which a report will be produced within two weeks. The findings of the report will serve as the base in determining the application of the other methodologies to be employed in the eradication programme which will include:
·        cleaning of some drains and gullies
·        Public education programme to highlight personal responsibility of citizens including business owners on proper disposal of waste and
·        Strengthening of enforcement of regulations
The meeting was called by Minister Arscott amid reports of rat infestation, the closure of a prominent high school as a result, and general complaints of unscheduled garbage collection and drain cleaning which are viewed as contributory factors.

New Executive Director for NSWMA

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Jennifer Edwards, holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration who has also studied at the graduate level in public sector management has been appointed Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, effective yesterday, February 27.
Driven by a passion for hard work and dedication, Ms. Edwards brings to the position her professionalism and expertise in Public Administration and General Management. Her ability to get the job done will no doubt complement the new thrust of the Authority to be transparent and accountable to all stakeholders.
A former member of the local government fraternity that embraced service delivery, accountability and transparency as the main principles of good governance, Ms. Edwards is well poised take on the task of steering the organization to be responsive to the needs of the public.
No stranger to the public service, Miss Edwards spent the better part of her  professional life in public administration as councillor for the Sydenham division in St Catherine as well as Chairman of the St. Catherine Parish Council and Mayor of Spanish Town from 1992-1997.
The former Minister of State in Agriculture in 2002, has identified as her key priority the streamlining and re-positioning of the organization in line with its mandate to deliver quality service and remain the key player in the management of the island’s solid waste .
Some key areas that she will be addressing immediately will include strengthening and expanding the revenue base of the authority to assist in meeting its operating costs. One such revenue base is that of  composting and landscaping.

Minister Arscott Encourages Teamwork in Local Authorities

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Noel Arscott is encouraging teamwork as one way of addressing service deficiencies in Local Authorities.
The Minister made the proposition during meetings at the Trelawny and St. James Parish Councils on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, where he sought to address a number of issues being faced by the Local Authorities. Minister Arscott also encouraged the Councils to develop good working relationships with other Councils in order to share ideas ‘.. look at their best practices and see how these can be applied to your situation’, Minister urged.
Minister Arscott told Councils that he will be utilizing teamwork and partnerships as much as possible in his administration. He disclosed that the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is working with the Ministry, Science, Technology Energy and Mining to explore alternate sources of energy particularly for use in street lighting, as well as, with the Ministry of Water Environment and Climate Change to implement more effective means of tackling the perennial problem of water shortages in areas not serviced by the National Water Commission.
The Minister also expressed his commitment to working with the Councils to solve the problems being experienced even while suggesting that they have it within their power to work out most of the issues they have been facing themselves. This point was endorsed by Minister of State Colin Fagan, who also attended the meetings. ‘It is important as we continue to move the reform process forward that you apply a level of creativity in sourcing funding to meet the needs of your constituents’, Minister Fagan said.
The Local Government Ministers have been conducting a familiarization tour of councils and have already visited the St Ann, St Catherine and Clarendon Parish Councils; next stops will be the Hanover and Westmoreland Parish Councils on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

Minister Arscott Responds to Claims of Political Cronyism in the Handling of Fire at Riverton Landfill

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Noel Arscott has expressed disappointment at the outrageous claims made by the former Minister of Housing, Water Environment and Local Government.
Minister Arscott says that it is unfortunate at this time of National crisis when we should be coming together to solve a problem that was not created by any one administration that the former Minister should take such an adversarial position.
“I urge Dr Chang not to politicise such a catastrophic event” the Minister said. “The problem at the landfill is a long-standing one; the Ministry took action as soon as we became aware of the situation”, he added.
The Minister has extended an invitation to meet with Minister Chang to discuss the situation and to address any issues he might have.
The Minister held a press conference earlier today at the landfill at which he updated the media and the public on the status of the fire fighting activities.

Landfill Fire being monitored

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Noel Arscott is this evening assuring the nation and residents in the environs of the Riverton City Landfill that every effort is being made to address the current situation relating to a fire which started at the landfill yesterday.

The Minister in quick response to alert from National Solid Waste Management  Authority (NSWMA),  visited the landfill and coordinated and deployed machinery and resources with the assistance of the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Jamaica Defence Force.

The Minister said he will be meeting with other gpvernment Ministers and relevant agency heads to continue the coordinated response in controlling and extinguishing the fire.

“I regret the inconvenience that this fire and smoke may cause to persons, and will provide timely updates as we work to bring the situation under control” the Minister said.

The landfill is currently under 24-hour surveillance by the landfill director, NSWMA personnel and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Minister Arscott who is currently in St. Ann on a familiarization tour of the parish will be returning to the landfill this evening to ascertain the staus and continue to mobilise resources.  He is hoping that the fire will be extinguished by tonight.