Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister Hon. Phillip Paulwell: 1. Government establishes an Energy Sector Enterprise Team (E-SET) to be headed by Dr. Vin Lawrence and commits to achieving cheaper Energy solutions for Jamaican consumers, industries and businesses 2. Cockpit Country will continue in the foreseeable future to be free of Mining activities even as it is clear from information from the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and elsewhere that Jamaica’s Bauxite resources continue to attract international investors Minister of State Hon. Julian Robinson: 3. A total of 371 public institutions have been connected to the broadband communications network. The institutions include: 206 of 207 targeted educational institutions; 67 of 77 post offices; 57 of 60 hospitals and health centres; and all 14 parish libraries. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is also to be connected to the broadband network. 4. Residents of the Jacques Road community in Kingston are now enjoying the use of a comfortable, fully equipped computer lab and Internet café. This is the 169th community access point to be established by the Government across the island. This is in keeping with the Government’s efforts to give more Jamaicans access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).. 5. Six special education schools are to benefit from a $33 million project earmarked for implementation this year by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining. These institutions cater to the educational development of youngsters deemed physically and intellectually challenged. In addition to the equipment, six subjects taught at the institutions are to be converted to sign language format.
Ministry of Education Minister Hon. Ronald Thwaites: 1. The Ministry of Education has compiled a master list of supplementary textbooks for grades 1-9. With the master list of textbooks now available, the Education Ministry has advised parents to pay no more than $5000 buying additional textbooks for students in grades 1-6, adding that books for students in grades 7-9 should cost an average of $12000. 2. Approximately $1.05 billion has been allocated to the school feeding breakfast project. This will see breakfast being provided to seventy percent of the EC cohort or $138,000 children including PATH beneficiaries. 3. An additional $390 million has been allocated to expand the mathematics programme in schools. It is anticipated that by2018, there will be an 85% proficiency in numeracy at the grade four level. 4. This year there will an expansion in classroom place in forty (40) schools at a cost of $1.35 billion. As a result, twenty schools are projected to come off the shift system.
Ministry of National Security Minister Hon. Peter Bunting: 1. Approximately 2000 members of the ISCF have been successfully incorporated into the JCF. 2. Expansion of CCTV coverage. This roll out forms part of a wider process aimed at building a safer National Public Safety Network. 3. Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act 2014 This recently enacted piece of legislation, popularly referred to as the Anti-Gang Law, has created a new set of conspiracy type offences intended to deal specifically with criminal organisations. Heavy penalties will be incurred by the directing minds of these organisations for offences such as leading or recruiting persons/children to their gangs. Serious offences have also been created to deal with persons who facilitate the activities of criminal organisations. 4. The Department of Correctional Services has completed the data system, which will facilitate the operation of the much anticipated Sex Offenders Registry. 5. The JCF is slated to purchase 400 motorcycles at an estimated cost of US$2.5 million during the 2014/15 fiscal year. Vehicles will augment the resources dedicated to community policing. The aim is to equip each police station with a minimum of two patrol teams to enable detailed systematic patrols of all communities.
Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing Minister Hon. Omar Davies: 1. The Government has allocated US$50 million to the JEEP component of MIDP. The JEEP/MIDP Programme will focus on small projects primarily engaging grade three and four contractors. The Government is aiming to employ 20,000 persons under the JEEP component of MIDP, which was launched in March. 2. The Linstead to Moneague segment of Highway 2000 will be completed in July and opened to the public in August of this year. 3. CMI will invest US$2 million to establish a world-class centre to provide qualified persons with training in the field of industrial automation and mechatronics. The centre, which will be financed by a grant from the PetroCaribe Fund, will be implemented in partnership with German company, FESTO Didactic. The centre will produce certified technicians needed for the maintenance and operation of ports to meet not just demand in Jamaica, but also regional and international demand. Minister of State Hon. Richard Azan: 4
Five new bridges are to be built this fiscal year under the JEEP component of the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP). They will be erected in Silent Hill, Clarendon; Jacob River, Portland; Latium, St. James; Vanity Fair, St. Catherine; and Kupius, Clarendon.
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The South Coast Highway Improvement study is at an advanced stage and is to be completed this fiscal year. The study includes the road from Port Antonio, Portland to Harbour View, St. Andrew and from Mandeville, Manchester to Negril, Westmoreland. The study will assess and design the preferred alignment of the proposed South Coast highway from Port Antonio to Harbour View (Phase I); and Negril to
Mandeville (Phase II). Minister Hon. Dr. Morais Guy: 6
A total of 1,342 wooden units have been built under the Jamaica Emergency Housing Programme. The programme, which is a collaboration of JEEP, the NHT, and Food for the Poor, is intended to construct 9,000 units over five-years. 7 The Government, in the last fiscal year, provided 55 housing solutions at a cost of $31 million under its Infill Housing Programme. The targeted areas are: Gazeland, St. Elizabeth (19 additional lots); Chippenham Park, St. Ann 16 lots; Fairy Hill, Portland 12 lots; Bromley, St. Ann 27 lots; and Lee Park, Westmoreland 69 lots.
Ministry of Youth and Culture Minister Hon. Lisa Hanna: 1. The Ministry has launched the Graduate Work Experience Programme (GWEP) in which we placed more than 300 young university graduates to work as interns. Many of these interns have transitioned to permanent employment. 2. The Ministry has trained almost 9,000 young people for job placement as well as another 5,000 in personal and career development across the island. 3. A Cabinet decision has been obtained to remove from our legislation label of “uncontrollable behaviour” ascribed to children who display extreme behavioural problems. 4. Initiation of the ‘Art for Life’ – a programme featuring the use of the performing arts as therapy and recreation at the South Camp Correctional Centre. 5. The Ministry has also introduced the Culture Card programme in some of our corporate area high schools, giving young people free access to a variety of cultural and creative programmes offered by museums, heritage sites and national cultural events.
Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Hon. Anthony Hylton: 1. The scrap metal trade exported over 67,000 metric tonnes of metal, earning over US$19.3 million last year. The regulatory framework introduced, just over a year ago, has given new life to the trade. The trade in metal is beneficial to many sectors of society, such as financial institutions, shipping lines, trucking, logistics operations, and small scale operators. 2. 150 new jobs will be created when Kingston Wharves Limited, in its first phase of its port infrastructure renewal programme, will invest $2.2 billion (US$20 million) in the construction of a state-of-the-art logistics facility in Newport West. Construction of the warehouse is expected to commence within the next three months and is estimated to be completed in twelve months. 3. Jamaica’s Logistics index has moved 54 places in just under two years, making the country more investment ready in the global logistics chain. In 2012, the World Bank Logistics benchmarking tool, placed Jamaica at 124 out of 160 countries, but with the movement, the country is now ranked at 70 out of 160 countries. Minister of State Hon. Sharon Fflokes Abrahams: 1.
Global Indicators to be pursued as a standard feature of a Logistics Centred Economy
2. Emphasis on Climate positive Industries such as Bamboo and Hemp which will also have positive multiplier effects for Rural Development
Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment Minister Hon. Wykeham McNeill: 1
Jamaica has secured two million airlift seats for stopover visitors, out of its traditional tourist markets of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom/Europe, for the upcoming 2014 summer tourist season. 1.4 million seats have been secured out of the United States, an increase of 11 per cent. The USA, Canada, and UK/Europe continue to be Jamaica’s major source markets for stopover arrivals.
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Jamaica has been elected to chair the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Executive Council.
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Government is to spend approximately $252 million this fiscal year on improving six beaches for public access.The move is part of an overall initiative to develop at least one beach in each parish for Jamaicans.The Minister revealed that work has started on these parks with the one at Burwood Beach in Trelawny, being the most advanced.
Minister of State Hon. Damion Crawford: 4
The Palisadoes area will be developed as Jamaica’s first Entertainment Zone. The Palisadoes area has been zoned by NEPA for Entertainment, Heritage and Conservation as well as Recreational use.
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Cabinet has approved an event rating system, which is intended to be a guide for entertainment practitioners and the general public. Cabinet has also approved the establishment of the National Registry of Entertainment Practitioners.
Ministry of Land, Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Hon. Robert Pickersgill: 1. Two automatic weather stations, which will enhance the climate data collection capacity of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica are to be acquired this year. The funds are being provided through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C’s). The agreement will also facilitate approval of funding for a climate data base. 2. The PetroCaribe Development Fund will set aside $18 million to assist landowners who have applied to LAMP for titles, and are unable to complete the process. The sum will go towards assisting beneficiaries in paying fees for titling services. LAMP has submitted 62 files for processing and is awaiting funding in order to deliver the certificates of title to the beneficiaries at a formal ceremony. 3. Over one million Jamaicans are expected to have improved water supply under a $1 billion Tank and Pump Rehabilitation Project. Under the programme, 52 wells have been identified for rehabilitation, 11 of which have already been inspected. Contract documents for the procurement of pumps and the drafting of Bill of Quantities are in place for the repair and replacement of tanks. Minister of State Hon. Ian Hayles: 4. Infrastructure works on the US$12.6 million Lucea Pipeline Replacement and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction project are 85 per cent complete. The project will facilitate improved water flow from the Great River treatment plant to all the areas along the corridor leading into Negril. 5. More than 247,000 residents in 10 parishes will benefit from improved potable water supplies and wastewater management services over the next two years. This is
as a result of the National Water Commission (NWC) undertaking infrastructure improvement projects valued just over $1 billion. Phased project implementation is slated to begin during the current fiscal year, and will entail a range of activities.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Minister Hon. Derrick Kellier: 1. MPs, during the last financial year, assisted 6,000 of their most needy constituents to improve their standard of living, with the provision of $75 million in grant funding. The MPs identified and recommended those persons who were in need of financial aid to improve their nutritional status, housing conditions, and to start small income generating businesses. 2. National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits were paid to over 107,000 persons, up to the end of March 2014. While the benefits provided under the Scheme amounted to approximately $14.7 billion for the period April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, contributions for the same period totaled $12 billion. 3. During the last fiscal year, 7,629 needy families were provided with $127 million in grants to offset various expenses. They were assisted to carry out repairs to dwellings, to bury loved ones and to access medical care. The money also aided families to engage in entrepreneurial activities. 4. Several Labour Laws are slated to be amended. Some of the Acts to be amended include: the Holidays with Pay Act; Minimum Wage Act; Foreign Nationals and Citizenship Employment Act, and Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act. 5. Two thousand indigent persons are to benefit from a $600 million welfare-to-work programme, to be implemented over the next two years. Cabinet recently approved this
social welfare graduation strategy, targeting 1,000 families receiving social welfare support. The strategy is intended to reduce the number of beneficiaries who receive welfare support.
Ministry of Local Government and Community Development Minister Hon. Noel Arscott: 1. Young people in South West Clarendon are benefitting from educational opportunities financed by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).Through the CDF, some $4 million was spent during the last financial year to empower over 600 students at various levels of educational development. Improvement work has also been carried out at post offices, and land titles presented to 76 constituents. 2. Funds have been identified for the establishment of a transfer station to assist in the management of waste in western Jamaica. Currently, waste is moved from Westmoreland to St. James in small trucks. The site has been secured, and the NSWMA has obtained a Non-Objection from the NEPA. 3. The Government collected $5.83 billion in property taxes for the 2013/14 fiscal year, 80 per cent of the $7.26 billion originally targeted. 4. The Ministry is in the process of identifying an alternative site to Riverton City landfill. This forms part of the Ministry’s three-pronged approach to curtailing some of the issues at the facility located in St. Andrew. 5. Parish Councils last year delivered 4,543 building permits, valued at $31 billion, as the Government continues the drive to reduce the processing time for building approval applications. The Ministry will be making improvements to the building approval process.
Member of Parliament: N.W. St. Ann M.P. Dr. Dayton Campbell: 1. Young people in South West Clarendon are benefitting from educational opportunities financed by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).Through the CDF, some $4 million was spent during the last financial year to empower over 600 students at various levels of educational development. Improvement work has also been carried out at post offices, and land titles presented to 76 constituents. 2. Funds have been identified for the establishment of a transfer station to assist in the management of waste in western Jamaica. Currently, waste is moved from Westmoreland to St. James in small trucks. The site has been secured, and the NSWMA has obtained a Non-Objection from the NEPA. 3. The Government collected $5.83 billion in property taxes for the 2013/14 fiscal year, 80 per cent of the $7.26 billion originally targeted. 4. The Ministry is in the process of identifying an alternative site to Riverton City landfill. This forms part of the Ministry’s three-pronged approach to curtailing some of the issues at the facility located in St. Andrew. 5. Parish Councils last year delivered 4,543 building permits, valued at $31 billion, as the Government continues the drive to reduce the processing time for building approval applications. The Ministry will be making improvements to the building approval process.
Member of Parliament: W. Rural St. Andrew M.P. Paul Buchanan: 1. Completion of the Red Hills Primary School. Through Vision 2050, in partnership with HEART Trust NTA the schools in West Rural St. Andrew will provide capable, well trained and certified workers for the Logistics hub. 2. The Stony Hill water supply has been rehabilitated. 3. Repairs were done to the following breakaways: Mt Ogle Breakaway, Allman Hill breakaway and Oberlin breakaway. 4. Completion of several roads works including the George Mason Drive and Halls Green Bridge,the Stony Hill to Castleton Highway, Toms River to Florence Hill Roadway, Belmont Roadway. The construction of paved roads in the communities of Mt. Zion and Burkewood in Red Hills. Through partnership with the National Housing Trust funds were allocated for road works to be done on Boone Hall Housing scheme roads 5. The completion at the new Golden Spring Clinic as well as the upgrade of health centers at Lawrence Tavern, Rock Hall, Red Hills and Padmore.
Member of Parliament: E. Portland M.P. Dr. Lynvale Bloomfield: 1. The erection of perimeter fencing in schools in the Manchioneal Division via the Chase Fund and shortly to commence in areas such as Cornwall Barracks via the Constituency Fund. 2. A new block is to be established at the Port Antonio High School in order to get rid of the shift system. 3. Access to the internet and provision of study systems have been introduced in primary schools. 4. The 1.85 billion dollar Port Antonio Water Sewage and drainage project phase one continues to provide much needed infrastructural development and jobs. 5. Completion of the first stage of the Folly Road Craft Market.
Member of Parliament: N.W. Manchester MP Mikael Phillips: 1. Paved drive way and parking area of the New Green Primary School, 2. Construction and pavement of a new road way at the Evon Grant Basic School in New Green. 3. Construction of bathrooms, kitchen and lunch room at the Lynhurst Basic 4. Through partnership, some sixty (60) computers and five (5) large printers were donated to twelve primary and basic schools across the constituency. Through Partnership some 50 students were awarded tertiary scholarships 5. Opening of the Huntley Library, through partnership with JEEP, and the donation of 10 computers and internet service
was provided by the Universal Access Fund. Completion of the Huntley Community Centre
Member of Parliament: Western St. Mary M.P. Joylan Silvera: 1. Invested in early childhood education in the constituency this year, and opened the Church of Christ Basic School in Gayle. Work is now under way for the completion of the Trinity Evangelistic Basic School in Bamboo Walk. 2. The Housing program under the JEEP facilitated the issuance of twenty (20) houses in year 1 and this year a further fifteen (15) houses will be given to the vulnerable and needy persons in the constituency. 3. Contracts totalling J$ 83 Million were tendered and awarded for repairs to these roads, inclusive of drainage structures and repaving. In Days Mountain, the work is 80% completed. In Grants Town, the work is 60% completed and in Canoe Pond, the work is 40% completed. 4. An investment of J$ 3.7 Million from the CDF was used to provide Western St. Mary farmers with needed assistance in the form of procurement of feeds, farm tools, fertilizers, herbicides, chicken feeds, and land preparation. 5. The “Women& Youth Agriculture Project� was launched. Fifty three (53) women and youth farmers participated in the project. Over 100,000 lbs of additional Irish potatoes were produced in the constituency.
Member of Parliament: S.E St. Elizabeth M.P. Richard Parchment: 1. Through partnership with Rural Electrification, electricity was wired to the communities of: Newton Dalton, Nembhard Town, Lucky Valley, Links Hill Brinkley and Bromington Hall 2. Three community access points housed with some 50 computers were established across the constituency namely: Bull Savannah Primary, Queensbury Resource Centre, and Epping Forrest Community Centre. 3. Through Partnership with the Jeep Secretariat, the Ministry of Transport, Works & Housing, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment through the TEF and JBI, the following roads were upgrades : Junction to Todd Town ,New Building ,Ballards Valley to Tryall ,Plummer Town ,Brinkley (Phase III) ,Elgin and Lititz to Gazeland among others 4. The GSAT Scholarship Programme sponsored by the C.D.F continues to be an excellent motivator for the students preparing for those exams. 5. The instalment of water closet at the St. Mary’s Primary.
Member of Parliament: Eastern St. Andrew M.P. Andre Hylton: 1. Successfully installed three major stoplights: one at the intersection of Wellington Drive and Mona Road; one in Papine, where many students and pedestrians traverse; and another by the US Embassy on Old Hope Road. The latter two locations also received clearly marked pedestrian cross-walks . 2. Through the Universal Access Fund three computer labs were installed in Tavern, Hermitage and Top Range. It is further anticipated that the individuals trained in these communities may be able to secure employment in the nearby call centers. 3. An leading financial institution has signalled an interest in partnering with PEDAC and SAE development foundation to implement Spanish in Basic Schools. The funding will provide audio visual equipment to facilitate the learning and teaching process. 4. With the help of the National Works Agency (NWA) the constituency will be able to bring some hope to the Hope River with the opening of the Tavern to Kintyre Bridge. This bridge was constructed at a cost of 100 million dollars. 5. Success in infrastructural development, in the completion of the construction of the Spanish Town Road in Mountain View. For the first time in recent history residents of the Spanish Town and Jarrett Lane communities can walk, ride and drive in comfort.