LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER CALLS OUT PNP COUNCILLORS’ CAUCUS FOR MISLEADING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE MINISTRY’S POST HURRICANE BERYL RECOVERY EFFORTS
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has strongly criticized the comments of the “National Caucus of PNP Councillors” which were published earlier today, claiming that Councillors’ efforts to assist the people in their Divisions were hampered by an “absence of clear communication, funding and logistical support from the Ministry…”
“According to media reports, the Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott is the President of this entity, and he is well aware, as he admits in his news release, that I have recently met with the Mayors and outlined the next steps as the recovery process continues. I want to make it very clear that this PNP Caucus is speaking for itself, and cannot credibly claim to be representing the Councillors across the country. More importantly however, I wish to advise and remind our citizens that the Government is addressing the recovery effort in an organized way. This involves not only Members of Parliament and Councillors as elected representatives, but also the critical Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, such as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS).
“I can only hope that at least some members of this PNP Caucus listened carefully to the Most Honourable Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament last Tuesday, where he outlined very clearly the roles of the elected representatives in helping State Agencies to identify where assistance is needed, and the role of these Agencies in delivering services including the distribution of building materials among other items. The Government is carrying out a national effort to provide relief to our citizens in which the duplication of functions is minimized, and in which all the representative and administrative arms of the state work together.
“The news release issued by this Caucus stated that “emphasis has been placed on giving support to Members of Parliament, but it is the Councillors who residents find more easily accessible and to whom they readily look for support at this time.” The Prime Minister has declared and I am repeating that resources are being allocated to Constituencies, not to Parliamentarians or other elected representatives, and access to these resources is governed by clear accountability systems. The entire focus of the Government is on getting help to our people, and helping them to build back better. This Administration will not be drawn into any attempt to create envy or discord between Members of Parliament and Councillors over resources which are meant for Jamaicans who have been adversely affected by the passage of Hurricane Beryl.”
