Government to Focus on Rural Development & Recovering From the Pandemic

Government to focus on Rural Development and Recovering from the Pandemic – November 1 marks the launch of the Local Government and Community Month which was observed with a Thanksgiving Service at the Webster Memorial. United Church in St. Andrew.

It is being celebrated under the theme “Building national resilience through continuous investment in local government.”

The Minister of Local Government announced new developments while the Prime Minister Andrew Holness outlined future plans. 

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond Mckenzie says the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been at the forefront of Jamaica’s disaster response since the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Even without the presence of a Director-General for more than a year. As such, effective Monday, November 2, the Minister says Mr. Leslie Harrow will be the new Director-General of ODPEM. Harrow is bringing some 25 years of service and experience in the field of administration and governance, to the organization, he notes. 

Continuing with the topic of performance, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang while speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says in the years to come the government is committed to increased developments in the ministry with a focus on rural development. 

In addition, Prime Minister Holness says the government remains optimistic about recovering from the pandemic.

 Aladden Love reports: