LUCEA, Hanover — Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond McKenzie says his ministry is to assist the Hanover Municipal Corporation in improving the working conditions for employees at the building that houses the corporation’s Poor Relief Department.

“The team from the ministry of local government, the technical team headed by Dwight Wilson, Mayor [of Lucea Sheridan Samuels], will sit with your technical team to have a look at the problems that the staff faces at that office,” McKenzie stated while addressing the mayor.

Checks by the Jamaica Observer West reveal that among the challenges the poor relief employees face are the presence of fungus in a section of the building and the flooding of several areas after heavy rainfall.

“I am committed to ensure that we correct the problems that exist. Because, while we are not in the position to pay the kind of salaries that they want, at least make the environment that they work in one that is pleasant, so that they can feel good working in those conditions,” McKenzie argued.

The minister was addressing the official opening ceremony for the long-awaited $14-million Hanover Drop-in Centre located on Miller’s Drive in Lucea, recently.

The drop-in centre is to be used to provide hygienic care and medical attention to the homeless and others in the parish.

The facility will have a cook, a cleaner and an administrator as well as a doctor on call. Security for the facility will be provided by the corporation’s municipal police.

Inspector of poor for Hanover Mika Edram disclosed that of the 100 homeless in the parish, males account for 91 per cent.

Meanwhile, chairman of the poor relief committee of the corporation Marvell Sewell used the occasion to thank the minister and the local government ministry for what he described as a “first-class drop-in Centre”.

Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern Dave Brown, in his remarks said “the drop-in centre is a symbol of the Government’s unwavering commitment to care for our less fortunate citizens.”

“Hanover, for many reasons, and unfortunately so, has seen a growing number of homeless and mentally challenged individuals in our communities. Some may have no relatives around, while for others, their relatives have simply turn their backs on them, leaving them to fend for themselves. This drop-in centre will ensure some of their most basic needs are met through the services offered.”

— ANTHONY LEWIS