Conclusion
IN THE midst of our challenges, local government is on an upward trajectory. The ministry and its agencies are improving the quality and reach of service to our people, as we strive to make this form of government more meaningful. This momentum of improvement is clearly a function of the work of the men and women in local government. It is also an undeniable outcome of the substantial investment that this administration has made since taking office just over two years ago.
The figures speak for themselves. I compare the allocated capital expenditure on the NSWMA, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the development of local authorities’ infirmary infrastructure over the life of this administration, with the allocations made over the full term of the last administration.
Between the fiscal years 2012-13 and 201516, the last administration spent $66.1 million on upgrades to infirmaries and drop-in centres. From 2016, and inclusive of this Budget, this administration is investing $307.4 million in infirmaries and drop-in centres.
The administration spent $332.3 million over the course of its full term on procurement of, and repairs to, garbage trucks and disposal site infrastructure.
This administration has invested $948 million in the two years since we took office in 2016.
$605M ON TRUCKS
The last administration spent $605 million on fire trucks and related vehicles, such as ambulances, over its full term. In two years, this Government has invested more than $1.077 billion.
The last administration – which claimed to love and cherish local government – spent a total of $1.023 billion on these three major areas over the four years of its last term. After two years in office, and now entering into its third Budget cycle, this Government has invested and committed $2.68 billion in these critical areas.
When last year’s unprecedented investment of $700 million in social assistance is factored in, this administration has invested over $3 billion in the people, structures and systems of local government.
We are keeping our commitments to the people of Jamaica through performance that is fueled by sound capital investment. It comes right back to what we were taught in this very House nearly 30 years ago...”it takes cash to care!”
The people of this country can be assured of this administration’s continued investment in the transformation of local government. They can also be assured that as we work with the local athorities to increase and maintain own-source revenue, service delivery will increase and governance will improve.
We will continue to improve. We will continue to innovate. We will never stop trying.
Nelson Mandela said: “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.”
I am not ready to rest. This Government is not ready to rest. With every difficulty, and with every small and large achievement, we are challenged and motivated to do even more to bring lasting prosperity to every Jamaican through local government.