Local Government Elections to be Held on November 28

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has announced that local government elections are to be held on November 28 and that Nomination Day will be November 11.

In an address at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown, Kingston, on November 3, the Minister said the time has come for persons to elect those offering themselves as local representatives to communities across the island.

Mr. McKenzie informed that he has started to put regulations in place that will allow three Bills before Parliament to be used effectively to promote local government in the country.

The three Bills include the Local Governance Bill, the Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Bill and the Local Government (Financing and Financial Management) Bill, which had been placed before the Parliament by the previous administration.

“It is our mandate to make Local Government work,” the Minister emphasised.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said that Councillors must be responsible and accountable to the people, as this represents the first sign of care for the electorate.

He emphasised that Councillors must be responsive to their communities. “You must have a plan; it is the second thing that shows you care… even when you don’t have the resources,” Mr. Holness said.