LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER CONDEMNS DISORDER THAT CAUSED PREMATURE TERMINATION OF ALGAJ AGM
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has strongly condemned the chaos at today’s Annual General Meeting of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ), that resulted in injuries being inflicted on ALGAJ President Councillor Winston Maragh and the premature termination of the meeting.
“This is a day of total disgrace in the life of local government. I am calling out the behaviour of Councillors, who deliberately disrupted the meeting at the point where the elections for the Executive of ALGAJ were to take place. That disruption deteriorated into total chaos, with Councillors swarming the podium, and the ALGAJ President suffering the indignity of having the microphone twisted out of his hand, injuring him in the process. This disgraceful series of events was played out in front of a range of invited guests including members of the media.
“This desperate, reckless and callous behaviour is a huge stain on the image of local government. This Administration has worked extremely hard to elevate not only the resources given to local government but also the professional and ethical standards that this critical form of government must reflect. I will not allow this shocking fall from grace to go unchecked. Accordingly, I will meeting with the ALGAJ shortly. I also want to remind Councillors that while they are elected on the tickets of their political parties, they have a responsibility to everyone in their Divisions. I must also bring into public focus, recent events and actions that are designed to undermine the practical impact, effectiveness and therefore the reputation of local government. None of this benefits the Jamaican people, and I am calling for an immediate restoration of order to the administration of public business at the local level.”
