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Holness promises support for social interventions for Grange Hill, Westmoreland

Published:Wednesday | June 13, 2018 | 10:42 AM
Prime Minister Andrew Holness - File photo
Western Westmoreland MP, Dr Wykeham McNeill - File photo
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness has pledged to provide support for social intervention programmes in Grange Hill, Westmoreland after Member of Parliament for Western Westmoreland Dr Wykeham McNeill made a plea yesterday in Parliament.

McNeill argued that the community needs social support in light of the killing of seven persons on May 1, which rocked the country.

He said the aim would be to stem criminal conduct in the area.

“Mr Prime Minister, the difficulty we have is we have seen absolutely no Government intervention other than when the Minister of National Security came down. Not one Minister has come to meet with us as political representatives, to meet with the wider community to discuss how we’re going to put in these same social programmes,” he told the House of Representatives.

He reasoned that the activation of effective social intervention programmes should not hinge on the imposition of a State of Public Emergency or a Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO).

“I am speaking with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund to see what are the possibilities to assist Grange Hill. So I will be in touch with you directly,” Holness promised.

The prime minister added, "Indeed, there are communities in Westmoreland that would qualify for a Zone of Special Operation."

He said the cost would be an influencing factor.

The House of Representative was debating a resolution to extend the ZOSOs in Mount Salem, St James and Denham Town, Kingston for an additional 60 days.

It was approved and in coming months the ZOSO Act is expected to be reviewed. 

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