Chaos outside while councillors pledge to work together at KSAMC swearing in
Published:Wednesday | March 13, 2024 | 12:10 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Minutes before the new mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, pledged a bipartisan approach to the operations of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), during yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony for councillors, supporters of the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) engaged in a brawl outside that saw chairs and bottles being thrown.
The supporters had gathered along Church Street in downtown Kingston to watch the proceedings, when, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Eucal Francis, assigned to the Kingston Central Police Division, PNP supporters tried to block the view of JLP supporters. The JLP supporters protested and the mayhem ensued. No one was injured.
Late yesterday evening, the PNP condemned the incident with the party’s general secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell, urging the JLP to “exercise control over disruptive members and prevent further incidents of aggression.
Earlier in the afternoon the JLP, through its general secretary, Dr Horace Chang, also condemned the incident, urging all political parties and their supporters “to maintain a high standard of conduct and respect for democratic tradition”.
During the swearing-in ceremony, and seemingly oblivious to chaos that had occurred outside, Swaby, who is the PNP councillor for the Vineyard Town division, assured the 38 other councillors from both political parties who took the oath of office that the new administration was “willing and able to set aside our political differences and to work with our colleagues on the other side” to achieve the mandate given by the people.
Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and community development, who was also present, declared that yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony had “brought a level of friendship” to the KSAMC.
Though tied 20-20, the PNP snatched the coveted KSAMC due to securing the popular vote in the recent local government elections.
The JLP’s Delroy Williams, councillor for the Seivright division and immediate past Kingston mayor, was sworn in as deputy mayor.
Acknowledging the tie in the municipality, Williams committed the support of his JLP colleagues.
“You know you always can depend on us in the service of the interest of the municipality,” he said.
Declaring that the KSAMC is moving into a new territory, Julian Robinson, member of parliament for St Andrew South Eastern, stressed that progress will require collaboration and “putting the best interest of the municipality above partisan political issues”.
‘YOU REPRESENT EVERYBODY’
Said Robinson: “The residents are expecting a lot from the class of 2024, and there will be no honeymoon for anyone. You’ve now been elected, you represent everybody, not just the persons who voted for you but those who didn’t. There will be an audacious task ahead, but I know you’re up for it.”
Describing the KSAMC as the “jewel in the crown” of municipalities, PNP President Mark Golding said his party’s control of the municipality was a significant achievement.
“For us, the whole local government election exercise kinda culminates today with good things as far as we’re concerned and we’re looking forward to councils under our stewardship exhibiting principles of good governance, participatory democracy, accountability, adherence to the rule of law, and governing in the best interest of the people and being accountability for the resources that are made available to us,” he said.
Golding further stated that he was unaware of the brawl that occurred on the outside, but noted that events like these were minimal in the generally positive record of how the elections were conducted.
In the meantime Swaby, in his address, said the next three months would be used to meet with various stakeholders to outline how the municipality will tackle issues of garbage collection, streetlights, water woes, roads, the condition of markets, and building and planning.
Specifically, Swaby said a system of “best practices” would be established within the building and planning departments at the KSAMC. This he said would include increasing the staff complement, and ensuring staff is engaged in ongoing training and are familiar with laws that govern the building and planning in Jamaica.
He also signalled the KSAMC intention to consult with the University of Technology on this matter.
“Additionally, we will embark on a campaign to further educate the public on the need to adhere to our building and planning laws,” he added.
He also committed to hosting quarterly town halls and press briefings to provide updates on the work of the municipal corporation.
“This KSAMC administration is committed to transparency and believes in open unbiased dialogue with all stakeholders. As local authority, we have an obligation to the people we serve to account to them for the way we spend their resources and to ensure that it is for their benefit,” he said.