Gov’t to Initiate Proposals from Youth Mayors’ Forum

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says proposals made at the recent Youth Mayors’ Forum will be documented for implementation.

“I have instructed the team to ensure that we place them on the website of the Ministry of Local Government and that we use them as a part of the way… forward,” he stated.

He was speaking at the Youth Mayors’ Luncheon hosted by the Ministry at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on November 28. It was held under the theme ‘Protecting the Vulnerable…Establishing Hope through Local Governance’.

During the Youth Mayors’ Forum, held in Clarendon, the participants presented their concerns and recommendations about the country’s most vulnerable, particularly those in infirmaries, to the Minister.

The concerns related to the training of infirmary staff; the treatment, nutrition and health of the residents; the security of properties and residents; and public-private partnerships to fund and maintain the infirmaries.

Mr. McKenzie advised that he will be announcing two of the proposals during an awards ceremony slated for December 1, for immediate implementation.

“[This is] coming out of what you say can improve the lives of people living in the infirmaries. We have listened to you, we recognise what you have said and if your efforts are to have any meaning, then there must be some action to back up the things that you have recommended,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie emphasised that local government is critical to the lives of all Jamaicans.

“It touches the rich, the poor and those who are in-between. It is service that you can’t do without, and it is a service that commands respect,” he stated.

The Youth Mayors’ Luncheon was held as part of activities marking Local Government and Community Development Month during November.