Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is urging the island’s mayors and councillors to pay their property tax. “I have a list of 229 councillors, some of whom have never paid any property tax for more than 20 years, and some of whom also own one or more properties, but have not been paying taxes,” the...

The Social Development Commission (SDC) has completed the asset mapping of communities in Clarendon in order to identify the resources of the parish. The entity will be showcasing the maps generated to the public at a Geographic Information System (GIS) Day event to be held on January 27 at the old police station in May Pen. “We are happy to...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Denzil Thorpe, says passage of the Building Bill will put Jamaica in the best position to prepare for earthquakes. He was speaking at the launch of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) earthquake awareness campaign held at the agency’s Haining Road offices yesterday (January 9). The...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is embarking on a three-month education campaign aimed at raising national awareness about earthquake preparedness and mitigation. The campaign, under the theme ‘Drop. Cover. Hold… Earthquake readiness is within your control’ was officially launched yesterday (January 9) at the ODPEM’s Haining Road offices, St. Andrew. Activities, over the period January to...

The Social Development Commission (SDC) and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) are being hailed for undergoing significant and transformational adjustments to their operations. The staff were recently congratulated by Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie for their work in transforming the public image of both institutions. “I believe the SDC stands out as a flagship...

Discussions are advanced with the Finance and the Public Service Ministry to find an added source of funding to repair, maintain and rehabilitate parochial roads across the island. Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure on day one of a series of regional sensitisation sessions for elected local government officials, at The Knutsford Court Hotel...

Local Government representatives are being urged to familiarise themselves with the latest edition of the councillors handbook, by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. The 300-page handbook, entitled ‘A Guide for Jamaican Councillors’, will be made available to the representatives shortly. “When you get it, read it, because it is a guide that is useful,” the...