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

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

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

After the awards were announced dinner was served buffet style and attendees were once again socializing and enjoying the music from the sound system. Persons began leaving at around 6:30 p.m. as result of the rain however they left the function with several memorable moments and high points.

A total of thirty-point-two-million dollars ($30.2m) has been allocated to the island’s fourteen (14) Local Authorities for immediate drain cleaning and vector control in the respective parishes.

The announcement was made today by the Hon. Robert Montague, Minister of State with portfolio responsibility for Local Government, following a series of tours to parishes that have been ravaged by flood waters resulting from the passage of Tropical Storm Nicole.

The sum will see each council receiving between $1million and $3million dollars towards drain cleaning and $200,000 and $500,000 for vector control.

In correspondence to the Local Authorities regarding the allocation, the Minister has requested that photos be taken of the drains prior to cleaning and afterwards with a “significant marker being apparent in both photographs.”

He has also instructed that “a complete programme of works to be undertaken be submitted reflecting the exact amount of funds disbursed as well as a comprehensive audit at each stage of the disbursement process.”

The emergency drain cleaning and vector control funds were released based on requests from Councils and recent tours of some parishes by Minister Montague last week.

More than 150 residents and community members in the environs of Hanover witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new infirmary for the parish.

The new Infirmary which will be built at cost of $27,160,356.79M with $20M of that amount being provided by the CHASE Fund and the additional $7,160,356.79M being put up by the Department of Local Government, will utilize the Free Form Polystyrene (EPS) Panel and will be the first of its kind.

This method of construction utilizes 3-D panels which result in the building being 40% cooler than traditional block and steel building therefore requiring less air conditioning. Additionally, it costs over nine million dollars less that building with traditional block and steel.

In his address to the gathering Minister with responsibility Local Government Hon. Robert Montague charged the contractors to maintain high standards as well as to keep the project within budget.

“I will not tolerate any cost overruns or shoddy workmanship on this project” he said. The Minister also implored the contractors to employ non partisan methods of employment in order to maintain good relationship with the community.

He also pointed out that that while the funds were procured some 2 years ago, the procurement and drafting process have taken some time. The entire construction should be completed in six (6) months.

The new facilities will include Nurses Station and Bathrooms, an open ward area in front of the Nurses’ Station for the very ill residents, and a Poor Relief office. The Infirmary will also benefit from a brand new clothes dryer and $100,000.00 courtesy of the Department of Local Government, towards starting a therapeutic vegetable garden.

Minister Montague suggested that the recreation room in the new facility be named “the Ruth Williams Recreational Center”, after the former Matron.

He also urged the members of the community to be vigilant regarding the progress of the construction and develop a healthy working relationship with the contractor to facilitate community involvement in the project.

The Hanover Infirmary currently house 56 residents and is situated on approximately 1.5 acres of land.

GEORGETOWN (GINA) – Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall today met with Jamaican Local Government Minister Robert Montague and his Project Manager, Clive Edwards at his Fort Street, Kingston Office.  The aim of the meeting was for the Jamaicans to have a better understanding of the local government system as it operates in Guyana, Minister Lall said. He noted that exchanges between the representatives were beneficial and would redound to the benefit of both countries

On his first visit to Guyana, Minister Montague revealed that Jamaica has always been fascinated with Guyana’s local government system and the way each facet functions to effectively oil the government machinery. Montague noted than in the discussions about local government and its implications regionally, there would be an attempt to endorse and copy the practices as exemplified in the Guyana context.

The Jamaican Minister said that his visit too was to broach discussions on local governance in the Caribbean, highlighting his country’s involvement in a project that seeks, with funding from Canadian agencies, economic development at the local government level, and yet another reason seeks to get CARICOM recognition for the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers.

With regard to the Jamaican system of local governance, Montague indicated that his country is in the final phases of local government reform, which sees the portfolio now vested in the office of the Prime Minister and for the first time gives local government Prime Ministerial oversight.

This, he said is the precursor for the system of local government to become entrenched in Jamaica’s constitution, and for direct funding to be given it from the Finance Ministry.
Also present at today’s encounter were Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, Advisor to the Minister, former Minister Clinton Collymore, the Ministry’s Hinterland Coordinator, former Minister Harripersaud Nokta and Deputy Mayor Robert Williams.

Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, the Honourable Robert Montague, yesterday signed contracts for the rehabilitation of approximately 10km of parochial roads. The contracts, which were signed at the offices of the Department of Local Government, were in relation to Phase 2 of the European Union Flex Programme.

The EU Flex Programme was initiated in 2007 in a bid to facilitate the rehabilitation of parochial roads islandwide. Under the agreement the European Union provided €2mil to be spent over a 3year period in the rehabilitation of roads in nine (9) parishes. The improvement work was to be undertaken in (2) phases.

Some delay was experienced in the start up of the project due to hurricane Gustav as such Phase 1 was implemented in August 2008 through to June 2009. Sixteen (16) roads were rehabilitated in the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland at a cost of $90,678,666.15.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Montague disclosed that Phase 2 of the EU Flex programme will see an additional eighteen (18) roads being rehabilitated in the parishes of Hanover, St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann and St. Catherine at an estimated cost of $143,319,862.00.

Mr. Montague urged contractors to ensure that work done is of a high quality and is within budget. He also cautioned that there were several persons, many of whom were present, who would be keeping their eyes on the contractors. Several Councillors, Mayors and Members of Parliament from affected communities, including the Honourable Dr. Horace Chang Minister of Water and Housing and MP for St James Northern, were present to witness the contract signing.

The Minister thanked the EU for its continued support of local development, and gave Mr. Marco Mazzocchi Alemani, Ambassador to the EU his personal commitment to ensuring that this project goes according to plan, ‘our continued good relationship with the EU is not one we would wish to sully’ he said.

Work in this second phase of the EU Flex programme is expected to be completed in nine (9) months. Contracts were awarded to C.A.B. Constructions, Construction Solutions, Odel Allen Construction and Chin’s Equipment Rental & Construction limited.

Contact: Miss Janett Peters
Communications Unit
Tel: 920-8152
Fax: 754-1011