INFRASTRUCTURE REHABILITATION, institution strengthening and human resource development are just three of the many components of the on-going Local Government Reform process.
Overseeing this change process is Onika Campbell, Director of Local Government Reform in the Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development.
"Working with the Ministry and the Central Government, I am responsible for harmonising the various needs, the capacity building, training.
The job is a challenging one but this patriot remains motivated by a strong desire to contribute to nation building. "I have a passion for the country and for the development of the country," she says.
It is this passion that has shaped Mrs. Campbell's professional life. After graduating from the University of the West Indies in 1995, she worked in the Office of the Prime Minister before moving on to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). While working with these two organisations, she dealt with community development and poverty alleviation.
"I really developed a yen for community development and for working with people in the developmental process and that led me to Local Government reform," she recalls.
Although the task of revamping the country's Local Government system is a daunting one, Mrs. Campbell believes the reform is integral to national development because it will facilitate the creation of economically independent and socially stable communities.
Mrs. Campbell's dedication to her career has not prevented her from having a fulfilling personal life. In June she and her husband, Captain Brian Campbell, will celebrate their second wedding anniversary. She strives daily to maintain a balance between her career and her marriage.
"I put my all into my marriage. I would count myself as a perfectionist so I try to ensure that my home life is as perfect as can be, but at the same time I do put a lot of work and effort into my job and the activities that I am involved in on a daily basis. It's not easy to maintain the balance but it's something that I strive for every day," she adds.
