Local Government Ministry Welcomes Twinning Arrangement

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has welcomed the twinning of the parish of Westmoreland with Tottori Prefecture, Japan.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Denzil Thorpe said “great things” are expected from the arrangement.

“The Ministry is indeed pleased about this partnership between the Westmoreland Parish Council and Tottori Prefecture. We are in full support of what has gone on so far and we are looking forward to what is yet to come,” he said.

Mr. Thorpe was addressing a welcome reception for the Governor of Tottori Prefecture, Shinji Hirai and members of his delegation held on July 17 at the Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril.

He noted that the twinning arrangement will strengthen the long-standing bond between Jamaica and Japan.

“The work of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Jamaica is legendary. I have seen the benefits of the partnerships, not just for the parish councils but two of our other agencies – the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has benefited tremendously from training in waste management and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has benefited from disaster risk management and response mechanisms,” he pointed out.

He said further benefits are expected for the country in areas of trade, education, sports, among others.

Governor Hirai and his team are in Jamaica for the official twinning of the Westmoreland Parish Council with Tottori Prefecture.