Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has urged the island’s disaster coordinators to maintain healthy relationships with partner entities to strengthen the island's disaster response mechanism. The Minister gave the charge while speaking at a recent meeting of parish disaster coordinators, representatives of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and officers of the...

The Board of Supervision (BOS) is urging citizens to demonstrate greater compassion and active support for individuals experiencing homelessness. The call comes as the BOS, through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, prepares to undertake the National Homeless Survey in October. The Survey will serve as a national count of individuals experiencing homelessness, generating critical data to inform...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, through the Board of Supervision, is encouraging citizens to report cases of homelessness. “If persons are aware of individuals who are on the streets or in areas where we may have missed or living in a tucked away little hut somewhere in the community, then we ask that they provide us with...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, through the Board of Supervision, will conduct the third National Homeless Survey from October 6 to 10 across all parishes. The survey is a nationwide count of individuals experiencing homelessness, and was last conducted in 2017. Data collection will be conducted in major towns and cities across Jamaica, with a focus on...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is assessing areas affected by Friday’s (September 19) heavy rains, which caused severe flooding across the Corporate Area. Portfolio Minister, the Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the exercise “is to see what can be done and how we are going to get it done.” He said that the assessment is important as the...

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) will be strengthening its enforcement measures to ensure adherence with established building codes. Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, made the announcement during a special sitting of the Corporation on Monday (September 22), in downtown Kingston. “As representatives we must play a stronger role in preventing and reporting unsafe construction and protecting...

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, has charged newly installed councillors to lead with integrity. “Serve with humility and govern with fairness; let transparency, accountability and compassion mark your time in office,” he urged. Mayor Swaby was addressing the swearing-in ceremony for three newly elected councillors at the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), downtown Kingston, on Monday (September...