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Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson. (FILE)

Hurricane Specialists Arrive April 26

A team of United States (US)-based meteorologists and hurricane specialists is expected in Jamaica on Friday, April 27, as part of a public education and outreach campaign to boost awareness about tropical storms and hurricanes and to encourage preparedness. The...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), in discussion with Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams (left); and Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Raymond Spencer, aboard one of the fireboats handed over to the Brigade during a ceremony at the Fire Boat Station in Newport East, Kingston, on April 16. During the ceremony, six emergency response vehicles, valued $385 million, were also handed over.

Additional Living Quarters to Be Built at May Pen Fire Station

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), in discussion with the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Tian Qi, during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s offices located at 85 Hagley Park Road, Kingston, on April 17.

PHOTOS: Minister Mckenzie and People’s’ Republic of China Ambassador to Jamaica

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (third left) cuts the ribbon symbolising the official handover of four new fire trucks to the Jamaica Fire Brigade during a ceremony at the fire boat station, Newport East, Kingston, on April 16. Others sharing in the moment (from left) are Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams; Chairman, Jamaica Fire Brigade Board of Directors, Russell Hadeed; and Commissioner Jamaica Fire Brigade, Raymond Spencer. During the ceremony, two firefighting boats were handed over. The vehicles are valued at approximately $385 million.

Fire Brigade Gets Emergency Units

Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams (right), signs the ‘Kingston Accord’ from the three-day inaugural Caribbean Conference of Mayors, held from April 9 to 12, at a press conference at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston today (April 12). At left is Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Alderman Joel Martinez.

Mayor Says Inaugural Conference Was Opportunity to Share Ideas

8 years ago Local Government

Drop-In Centre for the Homeless to be opened in Ocho Rios

A drop-in centre for homeless persons in the parish of St. Ann is to be opened in Ocho Rios in May. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is expected to open the centre, after participating in the regular monthly sitting of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation. Speaking with JIS News, Chairman of the St. Ann Municipal...

Mayor of Montego Bay, His Worship Homer Davis.

8 years ago Local Government

Local Government Minister to Address St. James Municipal Corporation April 12

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is to meet with Councillors of the St. James Municipal Corporation on Thursday, April 12 at their monthly meeting. Chairman of the Corporation, His Worship Mayor Homer Davis, told JIS News that the Minister’s visit is welcome, and Councillors are looking forward to his participation at their meeting. “I think...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre); Mayor of Falmouth, His Worship Colin Gager (left); and Member of Parliament for Northern Trelawny, Victor Wright (right), participate in the breaking of ground for construction of a new market in Clark

8 years ago Local Government

$150 Million Allocated to Repair Markets

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Government will be pumping $150 million into improving the aesthetic appeal of markets across the island. He said the investment “represents one of the highest expenditures… over the past five years on markets across the country” and charged vendors to take care of the improved facilities that will...

Kingston’s Mayor, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, addressing Tuesday’s (April 10) sitting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation at the Council’s offices on Church Street, downtown Kingston.

8 years ago Local Government

Strengthening Local Government Key to Building Better Caribbean Cities

Kingston’s Mayor, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, says strengthening relationships at the local government level is key to building better Caribbean cities. “We believe that will serve us well in the City of Kingston and will also serve the cities, towns and municipalities across the Caribbean region,” the Mayor said. He was speaking at today’s (April 10) meeting of the Kingston...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), greets His Worship the Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Alderman Joel Martinez (right), at the inaugural staging of the Caribbean Conference of Mayors at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, Mona, St. Andrew, today (April 9). At centre is His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor, Delroy Williams. The three-day meeting is organised by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation and is being held under the theme ‘Caribbean Cities: Honouring the Past, Embracing a Smart Future’.

8 years ago Local Government

Local Authorities Challenged to Become More Self-Sufficient

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is calling on local authorities to become more self-sufficient, in order to reduce their dependency on central government. He was addressing the opening ceremony of the inaugural Caribbean Conference of Mayors at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, Mona, St. Andrew, today (April 9). “If we speak...

8 years ago Local Government

Trelawny Surpasses Property Tax Target

Mayor of Falmouth, Colin Gager, says the Trelawny Municipal Corporation must be commended for Trelawny being the only parish other than Kingston and St. Andrew to reach and surpass the property tax target for the 2017/2018 financial year. The Mayor, who was speaking at the official opening of the Clark’s Town Transportation Centre in Trelawny on April 6, said the...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), signs contract for the construction of the Port Maria Market in St. Mary, on April 5, at the Ministry in Kingston. Also signing (from left) are Chairman of the St. Mary Municipal Corporation and Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary; Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Marsha Henry Martin; and Acting Chief Executive Officer, St. Mary Municipal Corporation, Ethlyn Douglas. Observing are Chief Executive Officer, Dutch Construction Limited, Andrew Smith (left), and Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Dwight Wilson.

8 years ago Local Government

Contract Signed for New Market in Port Maria

Within the next 12 months, vendors and customers who use the market on Hodgson Street in Port Maria, St. Mary, are expected to have access to a new facility. This follows the signing of a $56-million contract that will see the commencement of work to replace the old structure. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie; Chairman...