⁠Local Gov’t Minister Defends Administration’s Record of Caring for Poor

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has hit back at claims that the Holness administration is focused solely on delivering benefits to those Jamaicans in the upper class of society.

The minister made the argument during his contribution to the 2024 Sectoral Debates in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Minister McKenzie says the government’s track record of creating opportunities cannot be contested. He says the Holness government has kept true to the promises of the JLP’s founder, Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie has defended the government’s investment in the Jamaica Fire Brigade. He says claims that firefighters are under-resourced are mischievous.

The minister says the Holness government has spent significantly more than the $600 million spent on the brigade under the previous PNP government.

Minister McKenzie says the fire brigade has reached its full staff complement.

And Minister McKenzie is promising Jamaicans that efforts to improve garbage collection and public cleansing will intensify in the coming year.

Minister McKenzie acknowledged that there are challenges facing the National Solid Waste Management Authority, NSWMA. But he says innovative strategies are being employed to assist in proper waste management.

Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development.