Jamaicans Urged to Become Familiar with Local Government Process
By: , November 13, 2015The Key Point:
The Facts
- He said the reform process that is taking place in Jamaica will be further strengthened with the recent passage of three strategic Bills that undergird local governance.
- These are the Local Governance Bill; Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Bill; and the Local Government (Financing and Financial Management) Bill.
The Full Story
Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, is encouraging Jamaicans to familiarise themselves with local governance procedures and the reform process now underway.
He pointed out that when persons are informed “about the ins and outs of Local Government,” including the roles and responsibilities of Councillors and Local Government authorities, they will better understand the extent of the services to which they are entitled.
“People will know that when they pay their property tax, garbage is collected, the street lights are working, the drains are clean and we have good roads to drive on,” he said.
Mr. Fagan, who was addressing a Youth Mayor’s luncheon at the Hotel Four Seasons in Kingston on Wednesday (November 11), noted that Local Government represents “the heart of Government as far as the people in the community are concerned.”
He said the reform process that is taking place in Jamaica will be further strengthened with the recent passage of three strategic Bills that undergird local governance.
These are the Local Governance Bill; Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Bill; and the Local Government (Financing and Financial Management) Bill.
They are intended to create the framework within which local authorities will operate with greater scope and autonomy.
“All the things that we are doing is part of the work in progress. A reform will not just happen overnight, it is a process and we hope to get to that point where Local Government can be seen and respected,” he said.
The luncheon was to honour the young people across the island, who have been selected to serve as Youth Mayors and Councillors for 2015/16.
They will represent the voice of the youth at the Local Government level.
The State Minister commended the young people on their appointment. “You are now going to get an opportunity, after learning more about Local Government, to be more involved in your community,” he said.