Improved Service Delivery

Significant work was carried out by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development during 2018 to improve service delivery to Jamaicans.

Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB)
• The JFB acquired six new emergency response vehicles valued at $385 million. The units included two firefighting boats, fire trucks, and two pumper tankers. A total of $189 million was allocated in the 2018/19 Budget to purchase more fire trucks.
• Renovations were carried out at York Park Fire Station, downtown Kingston.
• Tender documents were received for construction of the $475-million fire station at Barnett Street, Montego Bay.
• $15 million was allocated to construct additional living quarters at the May Pen Fire Station in Clarendon for female firefighters.
• 106 new recruits joined the JFB.
• The first cohort of 150 persons graduated from a special volunteer introductory firefighting training course – a collaboration between the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and Government of Japan.

Upgrading of Markets, Municipal Corporations/and Transport Centres
• $150 million was allocated to repair markets islandwide.
• $56-million contract was signed to build new market in Port Maria, St. Mary.
• Work was advanced on the new $190-million Portmore Municipal building in Gregory Park, St. Catherine.
• 80 per cent completion of Westmoreland Municipal Corporation $60-million building.
• New Clark’s Town Transport Centre in Trelawny was officially opened.

National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA)
• NSWMA carried out a $60-million clean-up drive to remove bulky waste in major towns.
• The agency acquired three new garbage trucks valued approximately $74.7 million.
• A solid waste transfer station was built in Daniel Town, Trelawny.

Streetlights
• Government cleared its debt owed to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) for street lights.

Road Repairs/Drain Cleaning
• $70 million spent to carry out major drain cleaning across Kingston and St. Andrew.
• $50 million allocated for islandwide clean-up programme to minimise flooding.

Emergency Management

Drought Mitigation
• Over $250 million was spent to truck water to communities across the island.

• A water shop was opened in Marlie Hill, Manchester, to alleviate chronic shortage of the amenity in the community.

• Repairs were undertaken on existing catchment systems to ensure that adequate water is provided to areas in need.

Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)

• The ODPEM launched its National Disaster Risk Management Volunteer Programme.

• A partnership was forged with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement early flood-warning systems in St. Catherine, St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas under a US$1-million project.

• $10 million allocated to improve shelters in communities islandwide.

Drop-in Centres, Infirmaries and Poor Relief Department
• Drop-in centres for the homeless were opened in Buckfield, St. Ann and Port Maria, St. Mary.

• Over $300 million was allocated to upgrade infirmaries.

• The new St. Catherine Infirmary was officially opened.

• Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed at the Hanover
Infirmary as part of safety and security measures.

Strengthening Human Resilience Project
• A US$6.45-million Government of Jamaica/United Nations project aimed at improving the standard of living of citizens in Northern Clarendon and West Kingston was launched.

Capacity Building
• Several Councillors and Poor Relief Officers attached to the Trelawny, Portland and Hanover Municipal Corporations were provided with tablet and desktop computers, and printers to enhance service delivery.

• Two Clarendon families were presented with keys to new homes, which were constructed under the Municipal Social Assistance Programme (MSAP).
• More than 3,500 young people participated in the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP).
• 25 entrepreneurs graduating from the Clarendon Municipal Corporation’s youth in business training programme, received grants totalling $2.4 million.

Ward Theatre Rehabilitation
• The KSAMC signed contracts with Caribbean Technology Solutions to provide an audiovisual system, and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE Fund) to install new seats at the Ward Theatre. More than $15 million has been spent, to date, on the Theatre’s renovation.