PM Leads Clean-Up Drive in South West St. Andrew

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, today (October 4) led the clean-up effort to control the spread of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in her South West St. Andrew constituency.

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was accompanied by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, joined community members in the Payne Land Division, along Spanish Town Road, in clearing the area of debris and possible mosquito breeding sites.

The initiative, which got underway at 7:00 a.m., also saw representatives from several government agencies and private sector organisations taking part.

Speaking with JIS News, Mrs. Simpson Miller, said she was pleased by the tremendous turnout and encouraged all Jamaicans across the island to stage similar activities in their communities.

“I think this is something we should promote across the country in terms of community members keeping their surroundings clean. I hope that we will not only have the communities clean today, but persons will also ensure that their surroundings stay clean and beautiful for themselves and the senior citizens,” she said.

Mrs. Simpson Miller also encouraged other Members of Parliament to lead similar activities in their constituencies. “I want to commend the Leader of the Opposition for committing to doing a clean-up in his constituency. I think if we set the example and lay the foundation, it will happen across the country,” she said.

The Prime Minister also thanked Councillor Audrey Smith Facey and Digicel Jamaica for partnering with the Government to undertake the clean-up.

Mrs. Simpson Miller appealed to other private sector companies to join in the clean-up efforts, encouraging them to partner with community members in the areas that they operate to assist in cleaning up the country.

Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson informed that the Government will be allocating additional funds to help fight the spread of ChikV and to mobilise communities in further clean-up efforts.

“We will make the announcement next week in terms of the funding and we will announce the official roll out of the overall national clean-up, which is being coordinated by the JEEP Secretariat, in partnership with local authorities, tourism,  Mayors, and the private sector,” he said.

Dr. Ferguson also noted that he will be leading his own clean-up efforts in his Eastern St. Thomas constituency, next week Saturday (October 11).

For her part, Corporate Relations Manager, Digicel Jamaica, Tricia Williams Singh, said the telecommunications company was pleased to partner with the Government in undertaking such a worthwhile venture.

“We will continue to support any initiative, which is in the best interest of our country and people,” Mrs. Singh added.

Palm Tree Grove resident, Allan McKenzie, said he was very grateful for the clean-up activity.

“It’s a good programme and I like what the Prime Minister is doing. We appreciate it a lot and we are grateful for the clean-up. And, we thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health for coming out and helping us,” he said.

Among the agencies and private sector companies participating in the clean-up were: National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA); Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM); Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC); and the Ministry of Local Government.