Minister of Housing, Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill (left), in discussion with Earl Jarrett, general manager of Jamaica National Building Society, following the opening of the Caribbean Association of Housing Finance Institutions and the Inter-American Housing Union Regional Shelter Conference at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Montego Bay, St. James. Mr. Pickersgill, in delivering the keynote address, said it was the Government's intention to ensure that by 2025, all Jamaicans "will have access to affordable, safe and legal housing solutions." The conference ends today. - NOEL THOMPSON/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
JAMAICA LABOUR Party (JLP) mayors are threatening to give up their responsibilities as parish disaster committee chairmen if the Government fails to quickly complete the disbursement of disaster preparedness funds.
The ultimatum was issued yesterday morning by Mayor of Port Maria Bobby Montague near the gates of Jamaica House.
Mr. Montague and several of his colleague mayors and councillors had met to vent their concerns over the Government's failure to disburse money for disaster preparedness.
Yesterday, the JLP mayors forwarded a letter to Mrs. Simpson Miller outlining their concerns. The letter was received by Information Minister Colin Campbell.
According to Mr. Montague, the Government must release the remainder of the $140 million it had promised for disaster mitigation. The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1.
BALL IN PORTIA'S COURT
"How can we sit there just to talk and twiddle our thumbs and to look at each other?" he questioned.
When asked who would replace the local parish committee chairmen should they give up the responsibilities, the mayor indicated that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who has national responsibility for disaster response, would have to assume the role.
"She has acted for (Government) ministers in the past with Minister (Phillip) Paulwell, so she'll do very well," said Mr. Montague, adding that the parishes of St. Mary, Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas and St. James have not received any of the promised allocation.
TEAR GAS THREAT
Last November, several JLP officials including Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie were tear-gassed by police personnel while on their way to deliver a letter requesting funds for disaster mitigation to then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
Yesterday's activity was not as eventful, but a senior police officer earned the wrath of one JLP supporter when he threatened to throw a tear gas canister at her.
The woman had crossed the prohibited 200-metre mark from the gates of Jamaica House when Assistant Commissioner of Police Donald Pusey insisted that she go no further. "I will dust you out," he told her.
Last year, the then Prime Minister had reviewed the mayors' $3.2 billion estimate for road repairs and promised $320 million. That amount was later reduced to $200 million and further to $140 million.
In the meantime, Mayor Montague said his colleagues would be insisting that the Government release the funds. "The voice of the people which is also the voice of God will be heard," he said.
- D.M.
