Sun | Dec 22, 2024

Local gov’t election debates to take place next week

Published:Friday | February 9, 2024 | 12:39 PM
From left: Sharon Hay-Webster, of the Jamaica Labour Party; Brian Schmidt, vice-president of the Jamaica Debates Commission; and Colin Campbell, of the People’s National Party, at the launch for the local government political debates, held at the Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew, on Friday. - Gladstone Taylor photo

The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) says it will spend $24 million to host two political debates next week, ahead of the February 26 local government elections.

They are scheduled for Thursday, February 15, and Saturday, February 17, at the Creative Production & Training Centre (CPTC).

The debates are to go for 90 minutes between the country's two main political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People's National Party (PNP), beginning at 9 p.m.

The announcement was made during a JDC press conference at the Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew.

JDC commissioner and vice chairman, Brian Schmidt, said that the first debate will focus on local government policy and how it affects Jamaicans.

Schmidt said the discussion will centre on the relevance of Jamaica's local government system.

Parameters for the questions include whether Jamaica's local government system is fit for purpose or needs significant re-engineering.

The second debate will look at local government and whether it works.

“The parameters are very, very interesting,” said Schmidt.

“We're expecting discussions maybe on tourism inclusive of housing, planning and development that goes with it. There's urban development and town planning. There's the environment, sewage, sanitation, garbage collection, enforcement of NEPA guidelines, public health. There's disaster risk management. There's the issue of access to and protection of our beaches. There's agriculture and fisheries, protection of sanctuaries. There's infrastructure of roads, streetlights, drainage, gullies and the development of economic drivers through the length and breadth of our country,” he noted.

Journalists will ask questions.

The debate is sponsored by private sector companies.

- Kimone Francis

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.