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Parish council in the dark about beach development

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The Portland Parish Council is unaware of any planned artificial beach development at Blue Lagoon in the parish. Mayor of Port Antonio, Floyd Patterson, says the matter will be investigated by the Council’s Director of Planning.

“I am not aware of any such development,” Patterson told The Gleaner.

“This will be something that we will be investigating thoroughly; however, once approval has been given by the relevant agencies to the property owner, as it relates to any such operation, the council might not be able to change anything.

“But it is important to note that once one has met all requirements, one is within his or her rights to develop,” Patterson added.

Since the start of this month reports have surfaced that the operator of Tropical Lagoon Resort, Devon Wilson, plans to construct an artificial beach at Blue Lagoon.

While there is no confirmation of the reports, the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has objected to what it claims is the granting of a beach license by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NCRA) to the operator.

“In a letter to Prime Minister Bruce Golding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JET, Diana McCaulay, said it was their view that an artificial beach is inappropriate for Blue Lagoon, one of Portland’s premiere beauty spots.

According to JET, the clearing and removal of vegetation from the lagoon’s steep sides could result in silt running off into the sea.

Commercial recreational activities

The letter also stated that the beach license granted to Mr. Wilson by NRCA was to operate commercial recreational activities in the Blue Lagoon including swimming and the construction of a slipway for canoes.

Additionally the letter pointed out that although Wilson was strictly prohibited from modifying the coastline, he has ignored that warning.

The Gleaner visited the Blue Lagoon area recently, and observed a mini white sand beach area on the property owned by Wilson.

The Gleaner also observed that a number of trees were lopped, low walls built, and a chain-link fence.

But a senior source at Tropical Lagoon Resort, who asked not be named explained that they have adhered to all the guidelines and regulations from the NRCA including preservation of the vegetation.

The source added that the operators would welcome an investigation into their operation at any time, as so far, their conduct has been transparent.

Major Richard Reese, Director General leaves the Department of Local Government, when his contract ends, June 10, 2011.

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State Minister with responsibility for the department, Robert Montague, made the announcement last night as the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament examined the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

Reese is to take up a job as CEO of a major security firm. He, however, will continue serving on government boards.

Reese, who has served as commissioner of corrections, was a permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security before he was shifted to the Department of Local Government last year.

 

Golden Age Home Board Submits Report to Minister

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The six-member sub-committee of the Golden Age Home Board has completed its report regarding allegations of mistreatment and sub-standard living conditions and care of residents of the home.
The sub-committee led by its Chairman Rion Hall and Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer of the Board of Supervision, earlier this week met during an extra-ordinary meeting to consider the allegations and were requested to provide a report of their findings to the Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague, today.
The report of the sub-committee has made far-reaching recommendations towards remedial actions that should positively affect the strengthening of the home’s management, quality of care, internal supervision and oversight where necessary.
Minister Montague who directed that an extra-ordinary meeting of the Board be held in light of a newspaper story on Sunday, April 3, 2011, will review the report and make an announcement.
Contact:     Rion Hall – Chairman – 990-4195
                                      AND
                   Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer – 999-1783
                   Chairman Board of Supervision &

                   Board Member Golden Age Home

Department Of Local Government Requests Probe Into Golden Age Home Allegations

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t is with grave concern and regret that the Department of Local Government (DLG) and the Board of Supervision note the contents and allegations concerning the Golden Age Home in the cover story of today’s Sunday Gleaner, April 3.
Consequent on these allegations, the Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague has requested the Chairman of the Golden Age Home Board through its Administrator, Major Frank McCaulsky to submit and interim report relative to the allegations pending a Board decision.
In addition, further efforts are being made to address the allegations as the Minister has also directed the Board of the Golden Age Home to convene an Extra-Ordinary Board meeting as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Minister Montague with the same indignation and abhorrence he displayed at the Portland Infirmary during a tour that revealed less than ideal conditions more than a year ago; has similarly expressed great concern at the current allegations and has requested that a probe and speedy action be taken to “get to the bottom of the issue and the requisite measures and sanctions be apportioned to any guilty party having a role, should the allegations be proven factual.”
The Minister has also unreservedly expressed regret and is apologizing to the families, guardians and loved ones of the affected residents vowing to “let the chips fall where they may” once the facts have been unearthed and should they give rise to the allegations.
The Golden Age Home which is a limited liability company formed in 1982 in the wake of the Eventide Home fire tragedy in 1980, currently houses over 400 residents.

Notwithstanding the troubling images depicted in the supporting photographs of the article, the DLG wishes to place on record that that these images do not reflect the level of quality delivery of care administered daily; and every effort is being made through the Board of Supervision which has oversight responsibility for the island’s outdoor and indoor poor across the island’s fourteen infirmaries to improve the operational efficiencies and level of care to the residents entrusted in their care. One such intervention is a series of certificate programmes for poor relief administrators. Last week, some twenty three poor relief officers were awarded certificates of achievement under this poor relief administration programme.

Department of Local Government Signs Partnership Agreement with the UNDP for Second Community Safety Project

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The Department of Local Government (DLG) yesterday signed a partnership agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for a community safety programme to be implemented by the Department.
The signing took place at the Department’s offices on Hagley Park Road, Kingston 10. Signing on behalf of the Department of Local Government was Director General Major (ret’d) Richard Reese, while UNDP’s Resident Representative Miss Akiko Fuji signed on behalf of that organization. The Ministry of National Security and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) were also signatories to the document.
The project, “Enhancing Civil Society Participation in Local Governance for Community Safety” seeks to develop sustainable long-term strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of crime and violence by focussing on improved partnerships between civil society, local authorities, and central state agencies.   It has as its main objectives, the strengthening of civil society’s participation in local governance and the establishment of coordinated local civil society and state responses to crime and violence.
These objectives are in coherence with the VISION 2030 goals and strategies which speak to creating a Jamaican Society that is Secure, Cohesive and Just, as well as with Local Government Reform objectives aimed at building institutional capacity in the Local Government system in order to guarantee among other things, the provision of the highest quality of service delivery to communities as well as to promote meaningful participation of all groups, organizations and agencies in the governance processes of all communities.
Speaking during the meeting Miss Akiko Fuji said that the project was part of her organization’s policy in support of the MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. This policy, she continued, has two main strategies: community development programmes and community transformation and safety strategies.   “We are happy to continue to support the advancement of the capacity of civil society” she said.
Major Reese pledged the full support of the Department of Local Government, which is to be the main implementing agency for the project. The DLG will act in close partnership with the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Unit of the Ministry of National Security, the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), the Community Safety & Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGA), the National Association of Parish Development Committees (NAPDEC) and selected parish/municipal councils.
The project which begins on April 1, 2011, is scheduled to be completed in a year at which time the capacity of local authorities and civil society to promote and secure participatory governance would have been greatly enhanced and local level mechanisms under the community renewal programme and crime prevention & community safety strategy would have been developed.

The “Enhancing Civil Society Participation in Local Governance for Community Safety” project is the second such partnership between the UNDP and the Department of Local Government in as many years; the DLG Launched the GOJ-UNPD project Strengthening Community Safety through Local Government Capacity-Building in September of 2010, which benefited the communities of Newlands in Portmore and Canaan Heights in Clarendon.

Gov’t Moves To Collect $5b In Outstanding Property Taxes

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The Department of Local Government has started proceedings against several landowners who owe property taxes for over five years.

On Sunday, approximately 400 property owners across the island were listed in a gazette and given an April 1 deadline to clear the outstanding amount.

According to Calvert Thomas, director of revenue enhancement and mobilisation in the Department of Local Government, the list of properties in arrears is much more extensive, with property owners over the last seven years owing in excess of $5 billion.

He said the department was able to collect $2.7 billion of the projected $3 billion for the 2010-2011 budget, leaving a shortfall of $300 million for the period.

“The fiscal year ends on the 31st [March], so we expect to have an increase in collection by then,” said Thomas.

He said those listed owed for a continuous period of five years and no steps had been taken on their part to clear the outstanding amount. Among them were Kaiser Bauxite, Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Ltd, Black Brothers, Greenvale Investment, Jamaica Agricultural Society, Max Brown, and Malcolm Housen.

Under the law, two gazettes must be published within a month but not more than three months before any legal action can be taken. However, persons have been responding to the first publication.

“Persons have called with queries, making recommendations or suggestions, asking for amnesty, more time, or wanting to make arrangements to clear the arrears,” said Ann-Marie Mittoo, the local government department’s director of communications.

So far, at least one person has taken issue with the gazette.

Attorney-at-law Frederick Hamaty has sought redress from Prime Minister Bruce Golding on the listing of his deceased father, N.W. Hamaty, for lands in Negril.

Stating that the correct name of his father was in fact M.N. Hamaty, he said the land was sold and the title transferred at least three times since his father owned the property back in the early 1980s.

“I am, therefore, requesting, in your capacity as minister of lands, an immediate retraction of the information contained in the publication which has caused much embarrassment, and an apology of equal prominence in the two newspapers which have defamed the good name and professional reputation of my deceased father and his family,” Hamaty said in his letter to Golding, outlining the trail of ownership and the title and volume number of each transfer.

Property taxes are used to pay for street lighting, beautification of communities, parochial road rehabilitation, and garbage collection and disposal.

Jamaica Re-elected to Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Board of Directors

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Jamaica, today, through the nomination of the Honourable Robert Montague, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, was re-elected to the Board of Directors and also copped a place on the newly-created Executive Committee of the prestigious Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Board for two years.
Minister Montague, who is unavoidably absent from the Sixth-Biennial Commonwealth Local Government conference which came to an end today, was elected in a close run-off with African nation Ghana.
As a former Chair of the CLGF, Minister Montague, who found favour among his peers is known for his vibrant leadership and commitment to local democracy in the Commonwealth.
Jamaica which fielded a nine-member delegation to the conference also participated in the history-making initiatives – Young Professionals Forum represented by the KSAC’s Andrine McLaren and the Commonwealth Women’s Network which were introduced for the first time.
The conference which was held between March 15 and 18 ended with the adoption of the Cardiff Consensus which urged among other features, the need for national governments to empower local governments to play a lead role in the advancement of the local economic development process.
The conference was held under the theme: Energising local economies – partnership for prosperous communities.

The next biennial conference will be held in Uganda in 2013.

Local Authorities Respond Favourably to OCG’s Request for Submission of Information on ‘Forced Accounts’ Methodology

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The Department of Local Government has been expeditiously facilitating the submission of information from the island’s parish councils regarding the use of ‘forced accounts’ in response to a requisition from the Office of the Contractor General.

According to Director General in the Department of Local Government, Major Richard Reese, “So far eight (8) Local Authorities have submitted information and we have been facilitating the research and compilation of the requisite information for the OCG through the respective councils in order to meet the deadline of March 11, 2011.’

Major Reese was responding to a request from the Office of the Contractor General which indicated the need for information on the use of the Force Accounts Contract Award Methodology.

A Forced Account is a project implementation methodology where government entities implement rehabilitative or developmental works by utilising its internal resources and equipment, rather than contracting the work to an external entity. In such instances, the Government entity may be

2…/councils complying with OCG request on force account

required to procure raw material/or engage temporary labour and equipment to carry out the work.

The eight councils that have submitted information so far are: Westmoreland, Portland, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. James, St. Elizabeth and St. Thomas and the KSAC.

The Director General has expressed confidence that the remaining five (5) councils will comply, however, the manual extraction of information and compilation is delaying the submission. In light of this, the DLG has requested an extension to March 18, 2011, in an effort to ensure accuracy.

Contact: Ann-Marie Mittoo
Communications Department
920-8152; 754-0992-9; 579-7454
Fax: 754-1011

Local Government Refutes allegations of ‘Cherry Picking” of Allocations to Parish Councils & Embraces OCG plans to Audit Councils

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Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague has stoutly denied allegations that the Department of Local Government has been allocating funds to the island’s parish councils disproportionately as a result of the proposed upcoming by-elections, while welcoming the decision by the OCG to do an islandwide audit all fourteen local authorities.

Record disbursements through the Parochial Revenue Funds (PRF) and Subvention from central government indicate that all councils since financial year 2010-2011 have received funding for drain cleaning, patching and maintenance of parochial roadways. The PRF is the dedicated source of funding for the rehabilitation and maintenance of parochial roads and drain cleaning.

Minister Montague was responding to allegations made by members of the Opposition (PNP) at a press briefing recently, regarding perceptions of disparity particularly to councils that are within the four local divisions up for by-elections.

The four divisions where vacancies exist due to the deaths of sitting councillors are Frankfield in Clarendon, Duncans in Trelawny, Spanish Town in St. Catherine and Norbrook in Kingston & St. Andrew .

…/allegations Councils

In citing a few examples, Minister Montague pointed to divisions in councils and parishes where no imminent elections or political activities are slated to be held. These include the Royal Flats division in Manchester which received $4.5 million to cover an open pit; Port Antonio which received $5million and an additional $5million for the Titchfield Road in the Port Antonio division, as well as the Greater Portmore division where $4million dollars has been allocated for road repairs to Fourth Street, while Adair Drive in Waterford was allocated $4m.

Minister Montague has since extended and invitation and the hand of cooperation to members of the Opposition to be a part of a review committee that assesses the projects that are submitted to the Department of Local Government by the Parish councils for financial allocations, to ensure value, transparency and accountability in the expenditure of taxpayers’ monies.

He regards the allegation as baseless and has called for an apology and retraction from the Leader of the Opposition, particularly in light of the sensitive nature of the reasons behind the by-elections and the undue stress being faced by the bereaved families.

Also in response to media reports of the decision by the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) to audit councils, Minister Montague has greeted this announcement with alacrity citing this as a move in the right direction and a vital performance monitoring system that is endorsed and underscored by the principles of good local governance in embracing accountability, transparency and responsiveness to the people of Jamaica through local government reform.

Contact: 
Communications Unit
754-0992-9; 579-7454

Local Government Takes Action Against Officers Responsible for Delay in Hanover Infirmary Construction

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Following investigations by the Department of Local Government into the delay of the construction of the Lucea infirmary in Hanover, two officers of the technical services unit with responsibility for the project were subject to disciplinary action resulting in them severing ties with the organisation.

The Hanover infirmary has been the subject of much controversy in recent times following the delay in the construction of the new building for which ground was broken October last year with a six-month completion timeline.

Investigations revealed that design flaws were detected during construction due to unapproved modifications being made to the drawings outside of the approved design without consultation with the Board of Supervision which has oversight responsibility for the infirmaries and which had signed off on the original designs.

Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague last month issued a directive for the Director General, Major Richard Reese, to conduct a thorough investigation into the implementation and execution of the project with a view to resolving the issues speedily particularly in light of the urgency of the need for the facilities for the nation’s elderly and most vulnerable.

The Director General subsequently requested a technical report on the architectural design plan and site.

The report indicated that the unapproved design was discovered which resulted in the suspension of construction in December last year to facilitate corrective action and revised estimates.

In addition it was also discovered that the estimates provided were not properly done resulting in a cost variation, while the unauthorised modifications have led to the department having to absorb cost overruns and variations that exceeded the budget for the project. The overall project variation is being determined.

The new infirmary was slated to cost approximately $27million, $20 million of which has been financed through the CHASE funds. To date, the contractors have been paid approximately $3. 9 million dollars.

A comprehensive technical review of the project is currently being undertaken following which a resumption date will be announced.

Major Reese has since advised that the two technical officers were found negligent in the execution of their duties and were last Friday interviewed resulting in their resignation and dismissal.

The Hanover infirmary currently accommodates approximately 50 residents 30 males and 20 females on 1.5 acres of land.

Contact: Ann-Marie Mittoo
Communications Department
920-8152; 754-0992-9; 579-7454
Fax: 754-1011