LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local government is an essential part of the government responsible for the administration of local affairs. Among
its responsibilities are the following: Minor Water Supplies & Social Water Municipal Parks &
Beautification Cemeteries Fire service Markets Abattoirs Pounds Parking facilities Parochial
Roads Local Sustainable Development Planning Drains & Gullies Street Lights Collection of
garbage Infirmaries and other welfare servicesIt is quite easy to see that the local government system has been
a miserable failure in all of these areas right across the entire island. This failure has contributed in large part of
the problem facing Jamaica. The failure to properly enforce building code has led to a free for all with persons
ignoring the covanant, building what they want where ever they feel including on gully banks. This lead to flooding
and problems for our security force to patrol and respond to problems in these areas etc. Businesses are
established in residential areas, garages are set up on sidewalks and trucks aree parked overnight and for
extended period on the street. Drains and gullies are over grown and not cleaned, garbage are not collected and
umped in gullies. Our cemetries are overgrown, street light are lacking, Parks and markets are run down where
they exist, parochial are mostly in a state of disrepair etc.The dismal performance of the local government has led
to many persons calling for it to be dismantled and the functions handed over to the central government. This
would be a big mistake as certain issues are local issues and needs to be address locally. In the 1980's most of the
functions of local government were handed over to central government and this created major problems for the
local communities.A strong local government is of utmost importance. In many countries across the world the cities
such as Toroto, Bristol and New York are run by the local authority. In some cases the city is quite large while in
others the city is quite small with the need of only one high school. The question is do we need to have 13 local
government? As it is many persons feel that it is just a case of jobs for the boys.A study would need to be done so
as to determine the best division of the local government and its number. The JAP will pursue major local
government reform and seek to have them entrenched in the constitution so that its function is not change at will by
the sitting government. Greater autonmy and source of funding will be given to the parish councils for them to carry
out their duties. With these reforms it will be expected that more highly qualified and experienced persons will vie to
become representitives and carry out the duties of the council.A municipal police force will be established in all
councils to enforce municipal laws and regulations, maintaining public order, supporting revenue generating
efforts, and assisting in disaster management activities among other leaving the regular police force to focus on
other issues.
Local issues are best dealt with by person who has a vested interest in the outcome and not central government
Local government is an essential part of the government responsible for the administration of local affairs. Among
its responsibilities are the following: Minor Water Supplies & Social Water Municipal Parks &
Beautification Cemeteries Fire service Markets Abattoirs Pounds Parking facilities Parochial
Roads Local Sustainable Development Planning Drains & Gullies Street Lights Collection of
garbage Infirmaries and other welfare servicesIt is quite easy to see that the local government system has been
a miserable failure in all of these areas right across the entire island. This failure has contributed in large part of
the problem facing Jamaica. The failure to properly enforce building code has led to a free for all with persons
ignoring the covanant, building what they want where ever they feel including on gully banks. This lead to flooding
and problems for our security force to patrol and respond to problems in these areas etc. Businesses are
established in residential areas, garages are set up on sidewalks and trucks aree parked overnight and for
extended period on the street. Drains and gullies are over grown and not cleaned, garbage are not collected and
umped in gullies. Our cemetries are overgrown, street light are lacking, Parks and markets are run down where
they exist, parochial are mostly in a state of disrepair etc.The dismal performance of the local government has led
to many persons calling for it to be dismantled and the functions handed over to the central government. This
would be a big mistake as certain issues are local issues and needs to be address locally. In the 1980's most of the
functions of local government were handed over to central government and this created major problems for the
local communities.A strong local government is of utmost importance. In many countries across the world the cities
such as Toroto, Bristol and New York are run by the local authority. In some cases the city is quite large while in
others the city is quite small with the need of only one high school. The question is do we need to have 13 local
government? As it is many persons feel that it is just a case of jobs for the boys.A study would need to be done so
as to determine the best division of the local government and its number. The JAP will pursue major local
government reform and seek to have them entrenched in the constitution so that its function is not change at will by
the sitting government. Greater autonmy and source of funding will be given to the parish councils for them to carry
out their duties. With these reforms it will be expected that more highly qualified and experienced persons will vie to
become representitives and carry out the duties of the council.A municipal police force will be established in all
councils to enforce municipal laws and regulations, maintaining public order, supporting revenue generating
efforts, and assisting in disaster management activities among other leaving the regular police force to focus on
other issues.
Local issues are best dealt with by person who has a vested interest in the outcome and not central government
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THE JAMAICA ACTION PARTY
J A P