How can the Government of Jamaica establish a radio station in the midst of a residential community and yet the agencies which are supposed to have oversight responsibility for illegal land uses and zoning breaches claim to be unaware more than 3 years after the fact? That’s the case with KOOL FM which the Government of Jamaica established on Braemar Avenue in the heart of the Golden Triangle one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods in St Andrew in flagrant violation of not only the zoning laws but the restrictive covenants governing the community. Further, the National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, and the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, KSAC, gave approval for the construction of a four-storey apartment complex next door to the radio station. Ironically the four-storey building (itself a breach) continues to be overshadowed by the Transmission Tower of the radio station.
This comes on the heels of loud and persistent complaints from the citizens, which the agencies in question continue to seek to frustrate, while patronizingly claiming to be desirous of a process of on-going dialogue. However, in light of the recent revelation that the Government of Jamaica had previously issued a directive to NEPA to ignore all breaches committed by other Government agencies, the delays relating to enforcement and efforts to frustrate the citizenry by both NEPA and the KSAC are now explained. Indeed, the process has been totally compromised and has opened the floodgates of corruption which has been apparently extended beyond just Government agencies to friends or other connected persons.
Will the Bruce Golding led Government of Jamaica now have the courage the commission a forensic audit of the entire approval process as impacted by NEPA and the KSAC?
This comes on the heels of loud and persistent complaints from the citizens, which the agencies in question continue to seek to frustrate, while patronizingly claiming to be desirous of a process of on-going dialogue. However, in light of the recent revelation that the Government of Jamaica had previously issued a directive to NEPA to ignore all breaches committed by other Government agencies, the delays relating to enforcement and efforts to frustrate the citizenry by both NEPA and the KSAC are now explained. Indeed, the process has been totally compromised and has opened the floodgates of corruption which has been apparently extended beyond just Government agencies to friends or other connected persons.
Will the Bruce Golding led Government of Jamaica now have the courage the commission a forensic audit of the entire approval process as impacted by NEPA and the KSAC?
7 comments:
Well said! Another classic example is the building housing JSIF and formerly the Ministry of Transport on Pawsey Road.
Why hasn't the head of NEPA been fired? This has to be one of the most blatant acts of corruption committed in a while in Jamaica. Regarding the KSAC, I have long regarded that institution as a waste of time but which is riddled with corruption. As far as I am concerned we need to either scrap the present system of local governance in Jamaica and return all functions to central government or at the very least remove most if not all the predominant players in the current system and start anew with credible personnel.
My understanding is that there is no such directive. The actual directive is (or was) that the relevant Minister should be consulted before any action is taking against another government agency and that steps should be taken to resolve the matter outside of the courts first. Court action, as with any planning or environmental breach, should be a last resort. Sounds entirely reasonable to me, since govt. to govt. law suits cost significant amounts of tax payers' money and the time of the already overworked courts. That money could be better spent bolstering the enforcement capabilities of NEPA and KSAC and giving other govt. agencies such as the NWC the necessary resources to meet local environmental standards. I have no problem with any thoughtful criticisms of NEPA et al. but these must be based on fact.
Our story is based on the information that NEPA was in receipt of such a directive, a matter which has been confirmed by senior personnel at NEPA. Hence we maintain that the issue presented here, as revealed by Minister Vaz and subsequently confirmed by our sources at NEPA, is an accurate representation of information in the public domain and hence deem our comments to be thoughful and reasonable. Further while we welcome all views, it must be noted that we do not approach the tasks at hand in a frivolous manner and each story is backed by detailed research and / or the requisite confirmation of information as the case may be. However if readers are in possession of credible and verifiable information which would contradict any information contained in any article presented here, we would welcome the submission of such information to effect such corrections as may be deemed necessary.
Here's what I like to know about this directive: 1. when was it given and who/where did it come from? 2. In what form was it given and, particularly, is there a written document? 3. What are the stipulations of this directive and what motivated them? & 4. Has NEPA taken any action, within or without the courts, against any state agency since this directive was given?
Aerotel was there long before KOOL wasn't it? Zoning breaches by govt. not uncommon.
As for the building next door. Did it really receive approval for the four stories? Long ago I heard not which affected issue of titles and potential sales. Was there a subsequent development I missed?
The one at Argyle/Braemar seems quite dense. Any breaches here?
Oops meant storeys.
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