McKenzie dismisses claims of local gov’t ministry interference at ODPEM
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
In response to media reports that continued governmental overstep led to the departure of former Director-General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Leslie Harrow, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie is rebuffing claims of political interference at the organisation.
According to McKenzie, who addressed the matter while making his contribution to the 2021-2022 Sectoral Debate Parliament on Tuesday (May 18), the Jamaican Government “is doing nothing immoral, illegal or in any way a breach of policy at ODPEM”.
“We value the work of the ODPEM and I am saying and denying, putting to rest, any claims of political interference within the ODPEM… .”
Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and community development
The minister went on to deny allegations that ODPEM has been operating as a “cash cow” for the government, relaying that “it was since the advent of the Andrew Holness administration that we have pumped over J$1.5 billion into ODPEM, to ensure it’s effectiveness to all natural threats and disasters…”.
McKenzie acknowledged his awareness that “there are those who believe and argue, that the practices that have gone on for many years should still simply continue and any change is seen as suspicious, corrupt or political interference…”.
However, in response to this, the minister stated: “We value the work of the ODPEM and I am saying and denying, putting to rest, any claims of political interference within the ODPEM… .”
Since the media reports in both national newspapers, Harrow has come out denying government interference had anything to do with his decision to leave ODPEM.
Instead he indicated that he came to the agency on a six-month secondment from the Electoral Office of Jamaica on November 1, 2020, with an option to seek an extension at the end of that period, April 30, 2021.
He said he did not resign from the ODPEM and that his decision to return to the EOJ had nothing to do with any unhappiness or interference from any Government official, ministry or agency.
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