State Minister Says Local Government Shapes Every Part of Jamaican Life

Local government reaches into every part of daily life in Jamaica, according to Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams.

Addressing the launch of the Cross-Country Island Run 2025 on the grounds of the Manchester Municipal Corporation in Mandeville on October 21, Mr. Williams argued that residents cannot insulate themselves from the work carried out by parish authorities and his ministry.

“You can’t hide from it; we are involved in every aspect of your life, for example road maintenance, flood mitigation, building regulations, disaster management and responsiveness – all of it is local government. The life you live, you can’t escape local government,” he said.

The event was staged by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development together with the Social Development Commission (SDC), under this year’s theme, ‘Local Government: The Work Continues’.

Mr. Williams said the ministry is pushing to lift the standard of service delivery by tightening efficiencies and bringing more technology into its operations, describing the drive for stronger public service as a continuous task.

He also encouraged the runners taking part in the cross-island event, noting that they will travel through all 14 parishes carrying a Community Month message from the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Minister of Local Government.

“I wish you athletes all the best for the run and I will join you whenever I can. Athletes will cover all 14 parishes carrying the Community Month message from the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Minister of Local Government. It will end in May Pen on November 1 at the May Pen Seventh-day Adventist Church for the national church service,” he noted.

Local Government and Community Month will be observed in November.

In a message delivered on her behalf by Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Shaneil Dixon, State Minister Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford praised the ministry for using the run to remind Jamaicans that every community counts.

“The cross-island run is more than a tradition. It is a reminder that every corner of Jamaica matters – from Negril Point to Morant Point. It speaks to unity, service and transformation across our island. This year’s run comes at a time when nation-building starts right where we live; every clean-up, revived youth groups and volunteerism are the things that make communities stronger,” she said.

SDC Executive Director Omar Frith framed the event as a vehicle for unity and community development, adding that it reflected the agency’s commitment to advancing the ministry’s mandate regardless of which administration is in office.

“Let us hope that we translate this action into a meaningful gesture and the SDC will do its part to ensure that we not only speak unity, but our programmes and activities galvanise people for the purpose of building Jamaica. Stakeholders, students and other participants… I charge you to translate unity into your action,” Mr. Frith said.

Mayor of Mandeville, His Worship, Councillor Donovan Mitchell, described the launch as a display of shared purpose and energy, and the platform on which Local Government Month would be built.