Bertram WESTERN BUREAU:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT Minister Arnold Bertram announced yesterday that his administration intends to push public expenditure by local government up from two to ten per cent in three years time.
"So far with all that we have been able to do we have been spending less than two per cent of public expenses," Minister Bertram said yesterday at a dedication ceremony to hand over the refurbished St. James Parish Council building.
"Out of every $100 of public expenditure only $2 so far have been coming through the local authorities. Our goal is to move this to $10 in the first instance between now and the life of the next Council of three years," the Minister said.
He noted, however, that local authorities would have to demonstrate that they have the capacity to spend the public's money efficiently and effectively
The Council building was refurbished at approximately $21 million under the Parish Infrastructure Development Programme (PIDP) which is funded by the government and the American Develop-ment Bank (IDB).
The work was done over a seven month period by contractors HDB Construction and included the repainting of the building, the refurbishing of the 4th floor and foyer.
The Council Chamber, Mayors Parlour, Deputy Mayor's Parlour and Caucus room has been relocated to the 4th floor of the Council.
It is equipped with a state of the art PA system, central air conditioning and seating in the Council Chamber for 40 persons including a public gallery.
Montego Bay's Mayor Hugh Solomon boasted that the new modern facilities was unparalleled by any other local authority in the island and the Caribbean. In his address Minister Bertram said local government had a big role to play in the development of rural areas. He said that presently there was a $3.5 billion worth of investments in outstanding applications awaiting approval in various parishes.
He urged members of the business sector in St. James to collaborate with the local authorities and the agencies overseeing these investments so that the approval could be obtained and the investment begin.
"We have to start to work with them and get these matters expedited," he said.
Mr. Bertram said the local authority would have to increase their revenue by asking themselves what St. James had that the rest of the world wanted.
He said the parish would have to expand its tourism product appeal to a wider cross section of people and advised also that emphasis be placed on development in sports as the world was now paying big bucks for footballers and basketballers.
"What I am talking about is a local government fraternity that is on top of all these services on which the citizens depend," he said.
He urged the authority to work together with the business community to increase productivity as it was in so doing that the city would grow.
He outlined that for example St. James collected $100 million in property tax this year while the parish required a whopping $156 million to cover its costs of providing basic services. "A hundred million dollars cannot provide $150 million worth of essential services," he argued.
