Safeguarding local and national monuments will be the focus of activities for Labour Day 2017, which will be observed under the theme ‘Restore, Preserve, Beautify’.

Labour Day will be observed on Tuesday, May 23, with emphasis on two national projects — the Ward Theatre and the Central Police Station in Kingston.In her address at the official launch of Labour Day and Workers’ Week at Jamaica House on Tuesday, Minister of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange said the Ward Theatre has been an edifice of significant value to the cultural landscape of Kingston.“It is appropriate that we give special recognition to the Ward Theatre this year as Kingston observes its 145th anniversary. Within this hub, we will ensure that new life is poured into Ward Theatre in its 105th year,” Grange said.She noted that the ministry will be working closely with the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation to see to the start-up of restoration work at the Ward.“On May 23 we will have a massive undertaking at the site to begin well-needed work on the façade of the structure. But as you can appreciate, restoration of the Ward will take much more than the work that we can physically undertake on Labour Day itself,” Grange said.She added that restoration, over time, will include renovation of changing rooms; retrofitting of the seating within the theatre; electrical and plumbing works; and installation of air-conditioning units.Regarding the Central Police Station, Grange said this is a necessary project that underscores the respect “we must have for institutions such as the police stations that are central to the work undertaken by the men and women who serve to protect us daily”.Some 18 other police stations across the island will also benefit from restoration works.Also, as part of this year’s celebration, the ministry has partnered with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to plant 155,000 trees.Grange explained that each year, on May 22, Jamaica joins the world in celebrating International Day for Biological Diversity. She said this year NEPA will launch its ‘Million Tree Challenge’, which encourages Jamaicans to plant one million trees by June 30, 2019.“This is a call to action for all Jamaicans; it is part of NEPA’s Trees for Life campaign, which was launched in 2016. The Trees for Life campaign is aimed at increasing the island’s natural biodiversity, green coverage and our overall resilience to the impacts of climate change,” she said.The minister also called on all Jamaicans to participate in a project wherever they are in the country.Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie said each municipal corporation will receive $250,000 to undertake Labour Day activities.He said every municipal corporation will focus on a major project within its jurisdiction.The minister called on citizens to work with the Government “as we give new life, civic and personal meaning to national and local monuments”.“This year’s theme urges us to look again at some of the landmarks in our residential, business and professional spaces that we may pass every day without a second thought, or take for granted,” McKenzie said.He further urged Jamaicans to use May 23 for its true purpose to preserve and increase the spirit of community, “as we work together to restore, preserve and beautify our natural and built environment”.Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson said as part of Workers’ Week activities, the ministry, in collaboration with its tripartite partners, will undertake the restoration and beautification of the Workers Monument in the downtown Kingston Mall area on Thursday, May 18.She also informed that a panel discussion, which will focus on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, will be held on May 17.The ministry will also pay tribute to Violet Brown, who, at 117 years of age, is the world’s oldest person. Brown lives in Duanvale, Trelawny.— JIS