State Minister Highlights Importance of Work of Local Government

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams, says the impact of local government touches all aspects of the lives of Jamaicans.

“You can’t hide from it; we are involved in every aspect of your life, for example road maintenance, flood mitigation, building regulations, disaster management and responsiveness – all of it is local government. The life you live, you can’t escape local government,” he said.

Mr. Williams was speaking at the launch of the Cross-Country Island Run 2025, held on the grounds of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, in Mandeville, on October 21.

This was done by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, in collaboration with the Social Development Commission (SDC).

This year’s theme is ‘Local Government: The Work Continues’.

The State Minister said the Ministry is striving to serve people better, while streamlining efficiencies and applying technologies to its processes, so that service delivery can be far superior to what obtains now.

He added that excellent service delivery is an ongoing process that is always being worked on at the Ministry.

“I wish you athletes all the best for the run and I will join you whenever I can. Athletes will cover all 14 parishes carrying the Community Month message from the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Minister of Local Government. It will end in May Pen on November 1 at the May Pen Seventh-day Adventist Church for the national church service,” he noted.

Local Government and Community Month will be observed in November.

In her message read by Shaneil Dixon, Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, State Minister, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, hailed the Local Government Ministry for the reminder that every community matters.

“The cross-island run is more than a tradition. It is a reminder that every corner of Jamaica matters – from Negril Point to Morant Point. It speaks to unity, service and transformation across our island. This year’s run comes at a time when nation-building starts right where we live; every clean-up, revived youth groups and volunteerism are the things that make communities stronger,” she said.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the SDC, Omar Frith, said the all-island run should be used as a symbol of unity and community building.

He noted that the exercise was another good example of the SDC doing its part to ensure that the Ministry’s mandate is executed, no matter which government is in charge.

“Let us hope that we translate this action into a meaningful gesture and the SDC will do its part to ensure that we not only speak unity, but our programmes and activities galvanise people for the purpose of building Jamaica. Stakeholders, students and other participants… I charge you to translate unity into your action,” Mr. Frith said.

For his part, Mayor of Mandeville, His Worship, Councillor Donovan Mitchell, said the launch represents unity of purpose, strength, vigour and the foundation on which Local Government Month will be built.