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BULLETIN #21
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 4, 2004 - 5:00 p.m.
National Consensus on location for constructions to be determined
Local Government Ministry heads will meet with Parish Councils, stakeholder
agencies and other key Cabinet Ministers to arrive at a clear national consensus
on the issue of constructing houses and other buildings in areas considered
unsuitable.
The recently established Local Government Task Force on Disaster Management
and Assessment, under the directive of the Portfolio Minister, will convene
the meeting on October 5 and 8.
This move comes against the background of recent announcements from several
parish councils, which have outlined intentions to prevent construction in certain
areas.
Chairman of the Local Government Task Force, Robert Bryan, says the meetings
will review the relevant legislations and regulations that determine where and
how buildings may be erected in Jamaica. They will also look at the environmental
concerns, planning approvals process and the availability of manpower and financial
capacity of the relevant agencies to implement and enforce the available provisions.
Govt. ministries to undertake public education campaign on relief efforts
The Ministries of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, and Labour
and Social Security, are collaborating to organize islandwide face-to-face meetings
between community members and relief agencies. The meetings form part of a public
education campaign to inform residents about the work undertaken so far and
the plans for the medium to long-term.
The first meeting was held last week in St. Catherine and will now be replicated
in other parishes.
Parish Councils complete damage assessment
The Local Authorities or Parish Councils have completed and submitted their
damage assessment reports to the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR).
The disclosure was made by Chairman of the Local Government Task Force on Disaster
Management and Assessment, Robert Bryan. He says the Technical Division of the
Ministry of Local Government, Community Development Sport is now in the process
of carrying out follow-up exercises.
The Local Authorities, or Parish Councils were mandated to carry out an audit
of their existing resources and formulate plans of action for the use of those
resources. This is part of a larger Ministry initiative to examine what funds
can be diverted to aid the post Hurricane Ivan Relief and Rehabilitation initiatives.
Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
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