The Need for an Advisory Committee

When I assumed the chairmanship of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation(KSAMC), I committed that under my leadership, good governance would not be an aspiration—it would be the standard.

One of the critical gaps at the KSAMC has been the absence of a Local Public Accounts Committee (LPAC), an oversight body required under the Local Governance Act of2016. The inability to constitute this committee stems from the fact that Kingston & St. Andrew has not had a functioning Parish Development Committee(PDC) since 2017. Without a PDC, we lack the necessary nominations from civil society to form the LPAC, leaving a void in independent oversight. For those who want to understand better the challenge I faced in establishing the LPAC, I encourage you to read an opinion article I wrote in the Jamaica Observer last year September, entitled “Following the Law.”

Leadership is about finding solutions, not excuses. We refuse to allow bureaucratic roadblocks to weaken the standards of governance that the people of Kingston and St. Andrew deserve. That is why we are taking decisive action today by establishing the KSAMC Advisory Committee.

This committee is not a replacement for the LPAC. Rather, it is a proactive initiative that ensures the principles of accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership are upheld within the KSAMC. We are not waiting for the system to fix itself—we are leading the way in fixing it.

Mandate & Responsibilities of the Committee

This Advisory Committee has been carefully structured to serve as an independent and strategic body. It will focus on key areas critical to the growth and development of our municipality, including:

• Clean, safe, and orderly neighbour hoods
• Sustainable and strategic infrastructure development
• Technological and climate-smart solutions
• Inclusive economic growth and job creation
• Revenue enhancement and fiscal responsibility

Beyond these core areas, the committee will provide invaluable guidance on policies, community development plans, and solutions to structural challenges. It will act as a bridge between the KSAMC, our stakeholders, and the citizens we serve—ensuring that their concerns, aspirations, and ideas are meaningfully considered in municipal decision-making.

To ensure that this committee is fully recognized and empowered to carry out its mandate, we will bring a resolution at the next council meeting - two weeks from now - requesting the council to formally ratify and endorse its formation. This ratification will provide the committee with the full legitimacy required to function effectively as a pillar of accountability and strategic guidance within the KSAMC.

Confidence in the Committee Members

The success of this initiative depends on the quality of individuals entrusted with this responsibility. We have taken great care in selecting persons of high integrity, expertise, and a passion for public service. The selection process was guided by our commitment to inclusion and broad-based representation, and we welcomed recommendations from esteemed organizations such as the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Citizens’ Right to the City, and the Jamaica Small Business Association, among others.

These individuals have distinguished themselves in various fields—academia, governance, finance, infrastructure, urban planning, business, and youth &community development.

At the helm of this committee, we have an exceptional Chairman, Rev. Dr. Devon Dick, whose vast experience in governance, ministry, and community development speaks for itself. A scholar, pastor, and historian, Dr. Dick has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives aimed at national development, including projects in education, skills training, and housing. His leadership as Chairman will be instrumental in steering this committee toward its goals.

The Vice Chairman, Cleveland Tomlinson, is a young man with a keen understanding of economics and financial markets. His insights into fiscal responsibility, strategic decision-making, and investment optimization will be invaluable to the committee as we work to enhance the municipal corporation’s revenue sufficiency and broader financial stability. Moreover, his presence on the committee underscores our commitment to involving the next generation in the development of Kingston, ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries but also active contributors to the city’s progress.

Joining them are the following distinguished individuals:

• Dr. Barbara     Elaine Carby, a distinguished disaster risk management     expert with over 30 years of experience.
• Jonathan Swire, Deputy Chairman     of Delta Supply Co. Ltd., brings a wealth of experience in business     development, strategic marketing, and customer engagement, with a     particular focus on nation-building through the private sector.
• Professor Carol     Archer,     a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of     Technology, Jamaica, whose extensive work in urban renewal, zoning, and     land use planning will provide invaluable expertise as we plan Kingston’s     future growth.
• Stefan Wright, CEO of Pinnacle     Advisors Limited, who has a robust background in investment banking and     development consulting, with particular experience in tourism and hotel     development across the Caribbean.
• Shirley Lee Pryce, a human rights     advocate and gender specialist with over 34 years of experience advocating     for domestic workers and grassroots women, whose work has had a profound     impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality across the Caribbean.
• Brando Hayden, a financial     expert with over 25 years of global experience in financial services,     energy, and sports management. His deep knowledge of asset management,     treasury operations, and investment strategies will be instrumental in     shaping sustainable financial policies for the KSAMC.
• Garnett McIntosh     Reid, J.P., a distinguished entrepreneur, public     servant, and small business advocate. His decades of experience in     business, politics, and community development
• Ketha Silvera, our in-house     counsel and legal advisor, a highly accomplished attorney with expertise     in municipal law, policy drafting, and regulatory affairs. She has been a     pillar of legal guidance for the KSAMC and will ensure that the committee     operates within the highest legal and ethical standards.

I thank each of you for accepting this charge. Your role will be pivotal in transforming our governance structure and in bringing meaningful change to the KSAMC.

First Task of the Committee

The first task of this Advisory Committee will be to review and bring the financial accounts and records of the municipal corporation up to date in accordance with the required standards. We haven’t had our final accounts up to date since 2016, which is legal obligation. By doing so, we are taking proactive steps to improve fiscal accountability and governance.

A New Era of Governance

I am well aware that some may question the necessity of this committee. Others may attempt to frame this as an attempt to circumvent the existing governance framework. This is an interim committee that will serve the KSAMC. This is a step towards greater transparency and accountability in the absence of the structures required to establish an LPAC.

We are not sidestepping oversight—we are demanding it. We are not resisting scrutiny—we are inviting it. This Advisory Committee is a demonstration of our willingness to lead with boldness, rather than waiting idly for the bureaucracy to correct itself.

To the people of Kingston and St. Andrew: this is your committee. It exists to serve your interests, to address your concerns, and to ensure that your voices are heard in the governance of this great city.

Together, we will set new standards for municipal governance and ensure that our city’s growth is guided by the principles of integrity, accountability, and excellence.

I look forward to seeing the impactful work that this committee will undertake. With the dedication of the members, the oversight of the public, and the support of all stakeholders, I am confident that this Advisory Committee will become a beacon of good governance in Jamaica.

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