ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Councillors and Poor Relief Officers in Westmoreland have been provided with modern technology to enable them to more effectively carry out their work.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, handed over 13 tablet computers to the councillors, including Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Bertel Moore, during a special sitting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation last Thursday.

He encouraged the councillors to embrace the technology, noting that the tablets would enable them to reduce the use of paper and keep pace with their counterparts in other technologically savvy countries.

McKenzie also presented the poor relief department with a computer and printer, and gave each of the four officers a tablet computer.

“Gone are the days when a poor relief officer goes out there and walks with an exercise book.   The tablets will allow the officers to be able to work in a way that all they need to do is touch a button, scroll and find the information of the persons that they are working with,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the minister informed that new living quarters will be built for the matron of the Savanna-la-Mar Infirmary.   

“The ministry will be coordinating with the superintendent and the building department to come up with the new design for the construction of the new matron quarters at the infirmary,” he said.

He noted that once the drawings and costs are submitted, efforts will be made next year to obtain the resources from the Equalisation Fund and from property taxes to build the new lodgings.  

The minister urged the councillors to reinforce their commitment towards good governance, and to work with the poor relief officers to safeguard the welfare of the less fortunate in their communities.