Local Government Ministry Gets 10 GPS Devices From UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Wednesday (May 26), handed over 10 global positioning system (GPS) devices to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The Trimble TDC600 handheld devices were provided under the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU)-funded Spotlight Initiative, which is aimed at removing all forms of violence against girls and women by 2030.

They will go towards facilitating sustainable development initiatives at the local level, including strategies aimed at eliminating gender-based violence.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in his remarks at the virtual handover ceremony expressed gratitude for the items, which, he noted, will enhance local government and rural development.

“Technology has now become the way to go, and this investment of over US$18,000 will strengthen not just the capacity of the local authorities in their purpose of development and the implementation of our local sustainable development programme but will also enhance and create a wider arena for discussion on [gender-based violence], he said.

Minister McKenzie said that the devices will aid research and fieldwork to inform the Rural Development Programme, which will be piloted in Clarendon, and Kingston and St. Andrew.

They will also be distributed among the St. Thomas and Westmoreland municipal corporations and the Ministry’s Urban and Regional Planning Unit.

“The Government has recognised the need to improve on rural development. I am pleased that Kingston and St. Andrew, and Clarendon are going to be in receipt of this advanced level of technology to help them not just in terms of their overall planning and implementation programme but also to look at how we will be able to maintain and sustain the development programmes within the respective communities across the country,” Minister McKenzie said.

UN Resident Representative, Denise Antonio, for her part, said that the joint UN team recognised the pivotal role played by the Ministry in national and community development through policy implementation and is pleased to help drive change at the local level.

“Economically vibrant, safe, secure and socially cohesive communities are integral in transforming Jamaica and achieving the goals of Vision 2030. As such, UNDP is pleased to be supporting you in this critical role by donating these 10 GPS units for the purpose of data collection, community mappings and profiles to facilitate the development of local sustainable development plans in rural and urban areas islandwide,” she said.

“We know that these plans will include integrated prevention strategies related to the reduction and, hopefully, the elimination of violence against all Jamaicans, but especially violence against women and girls,” she noted further.