Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, shares a
photo opportunity with Jamaica 4-H Clubs Champion Boy, Ishmael
Smythe (right) and Champion Girl, Natoya Williams, during the Denbigh
Agricultural, Industrial, and Food Show at the Denbigh Showground in
Clarendon.Pigs feed from a trough at the upgraded piggery at the College of
Agriculture Science and Education (CASE) in Portland.Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (right), and State Minister, Hon. Franklin
Witter (centre), inspect solar panels comprising the new Plumwood Pumping Station PV Solar System
Installation Project in New Forest, Manchester, along with Energy Engineer, National Irrigation Commission,
Emile Myers.
• Installation of new solar panels at the Beacon E pump station in St. Elizabeth by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC)
• A new pumping station, and ramp was commissioned in Clarks Town, Trelawny by the NIC.
• Rehabilitation of 350-metre farm road in Spring Garden, near Bamboo, St. Ann, at a cost of $9 million
• New communal milking parlours opened for dairy farmers in Hillside, St. Thomas.
• $24 million was provided to help build out a tunnel house for chickens at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE).
• Some $20 million was also provided to construct goat houses, and work was done on the institution’s piggery.
Equipment
• Six new farm tractors, valued approximately $49.7 million, were presented to Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to bolster agricultural activities in six high-producing parishes – St. Thomas, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Catherine.
• Farmers in Clarks Town, Trelawny benefit from new water truck.
Building Capacity
• Local farmers benefited from improved access to RADA extension services with the launch of the entity’s first ever mobile application (app)
• 15 farmers and four government officers participated in sustainable hydroponics production systems training, under the ‘Addressing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus’ (WEF) Project
• 172 farmers from St. Ann, the majority being women, graduated from a Farmer Field School training programme
• 24 per cent of lands in agro-parks were occupied by young farmers, surpassing the Ministry’s target of 20 per cent.
• Scores of small ruminant farmers benefited from a parasite-control training session to bolster their activities and help Jamaica move closer to its food-security goals.
The sector benefited from significant support, which spurred its resurgence from fallout sparked by natural disasters.
Prime Minister Holness selects produce on display at the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show.Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), speaks with Dionne Blake,
a farmer from Cornwall in St. Elizabeth, following the handover of a donkey and farming equipment.. Minister Floyd Green (left) looks at a display on the use of agrotechnology, during a tour of
booths at the Kingston and St. Andrew Agricultural Show (Agrofest) on May 27 at the Agriculture,
Fisheries and Mining Ministry’s playfield in Kingston. Looking on is Regional Manager, Eastern
Region, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Alain Cox.
Support for Farmers
• $200 million provided to support drought-affected farmers. Of the sum, $104 million was allocated for trucking water, $48 million to purchase three trucks, while other sums for the provision of mulch, seeds, planting material and fertiliser, among other inputs.
• $63-million support package for farmers in sections of South St. Elizabeth, South Manchester and parts of St. Ann which were affected by heavy midyear rains.
• A total of $157 million was announced to support farmers affected by the Potential Tropical Cyclone 22.
Investment
• The Ministry partnered with the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) on a $50-million Soil Regeneration and Fertility Improvement Project.
• $35 million in support for organic agriculture was also announced.
• A US$14-million investment over the next five years to drive a minimum 50 per cent increase in the production of ginger, turmeric and pimento.
• The Blue Justice Caribbean Hub was launched in Jamaica to tackle transnational crime in the fisheries sector.
• A total of 50 goats, including the Boer, Nubian and Kiko breeds that have genetic superiority, were imported under the Small Ruminant Development Programme.
Extensive work was undertaken to boost the provision of and access to potable water:
Senator Matthew Samuda, plants a sapling at Jamaica House as
part of the launch of the urban tree-planting thrust.Minister Samuda turns on the water valve at a fire hydrant in Sterling
Castle Heights, St. Andrew West Rural, following improvement
works by the National Water Commission (NWC). Observing is
Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Member
of Parliament for the constituency, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn (right),
while resident of Sterling Castle Heights, Suzanne Thompson, cools
down during the proceedings.
Water Tanks and Pumps Rehabilitation Programme
• Installation of $20 million 50,000 gallon glass-fused-to-steel bolted tank in Dalvey, St. Thomas, to serve more than 4,500 residents.
• Commissioning of a $17-million 50,000-gallon storage tank to serve some 600 households spanning seven communities in St. Ann.
• The glass-fused-to-steel bolted tank, was installed in Liberty District, to serve that community as well as Roadside, New Banks, Tanglewood, Lewis, Coolshade Housing Scheme and Hartland.
• A 50,000 gallon storage tank, valued $22 million, was commissioned in York Town, Clarendon.
• Commissioning of the $31 million Macka Hill Pipeline Replacement Project in St. Mary.
• $25 million upgrading project for Mitchel Town and its environs in St. Mary.
• New 20,000 gallon tank and various rainwater harvesting mechanisms installed at Albert Town High School in Trelawny at a cost of $4.5 million.
Pipeline Replacement Project
• The $450 million Waltham Park Road Pipeline Replacement Project, which serves 20,000 persons, was completed.
• An Instrumentation and Meters Laboratory opened at the National Water Commission.
• More than 1,400 persons in St. Catherine West Central are benefiting from a $95 million investment in the Connors/Ginger Ridge Water Scheme.
• The Cedar Hill Tank and Somerton Water Supply project in St. James was commissioned into service.
• 30 new pickup trucks were added to the NWC fleet to boost service delivery to customers across more than 450,000 accounts.
Environment
• Commissioning of a rainwater harvesting system at the Forestry Department’s Constant Spring Road Nursery, and upgraded irrigation systems at the entity’s Mount Airy Nursery in St. Andrew.
• Another phase of the $41 million Treasure Beach Drain- age Improvement Project in St. Elizabeth was completed.
Significant work was under- taken to buildout Jamaica’s road network:
A section of the Martha Brae to Holland Road in Trelawny.Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre) and his wife,
the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, are flanked by several Ministers of
Government, representatives of China Harbour Engineering Company
(CHEC), agency representatives and other interests during the
official opening of the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of the Southern
Coastal Highway Improvement Project. The highway was opened
on Thursday, September 14.
• The National Works Agency (NWA) completed rehabilitation of the Martha Brae to Holland road in Trelawny at a cost of $15 million.
• Ground was officially broken for rehabilitation of the Jackson Town to Ulster Spring main road in southern Trelawny at a cost of over $400 million.
SCHIP
• The May Pen to Williamsfield leg of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) was officially opened.
• Work has commenced on the US$274.5 million Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project.
• A new alignment through Mezgar Garden in St. Thomas was opened to replace the previous alignment through the hills of Grants Pen in the parish under the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP).
• Four-lane roadways from Bull Bay to Albion in St. Thomas were opened to the motoring public under the SCHIP.
• Streetlights and traffic lights were also installed along some corridors of the major project.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, through its 20 missions, delivered tangible benefits for Jamaica with more than $4.5 billion secured in support of national development.
Minister Johnson Smith exchanges signed documents with Mexico’s
new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Alicia
Barcena, marking a new phase of cooperation between the countries.State Minister, of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando
Terrelonge, met with some of the newly elected members of the
Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and the Global Jamaica Diaspora
Youth Council, during a trip to London in June.
Focus was also placed on deepening international relations, improving trade relations, and protecting the interests of Jamaicans overseas.
Donations and Grant Aid
• Jamaica received fertiliser from the Kingdom of Morocco, totalling 24,000 bags (1, 200 tons), valued at more than US$725,000; high-end tablets from the Republic of South Korea valued at more than US$600,000, to benefit of 4,103 needy students across the island; and scanners from Mexico, to assist with digital archiving.
• The People’s Republic of China donated office equipment and port security scanners valued at more than US$18 million, alongside medical supplies and equipment.
• Funding of more than US$1.6 million was provided to retrofit the Mandeville Comprehensive Health Centre by the United Kingdom (UK).
• More than 300 persons benefitted from training opportunities sponsored by China, through online programmes.
• Other training programmes were made available by India, Malaysia, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, Japan and Morocco and Cuba.
• Significant donations were made to the health and education sectors in particular, by the diaspora, facilitated by Jamaica’s diplomatic and consular missions.
Diplomatic Ties Strengthened
• Entry into diplomatic relations was formalised with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Principality of Liechtenstein, bringing to 174 the number of nations with which Jamaica has formal diplomatic relations.
Agreements Signed
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Political Consultations was signed with Greece during the first ever visit of a Greek Foreign Minister in February.
• A Violence Prevention Partnership Agreement valued at more than €15 million was signed with the UK.
• Agreements were signed with Mexico to strengthen trade, investment and coop- eration; Portugal on political consultations; the Republic of Korea on cooperation for grant aid; Barbados on deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, the medical cannabis industry, education, culture, and sports; and the Dominican Republic through the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training (INESDyC).
Regional Activities
Jamaica assumed the Chairmanship of CARICOM’s Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) and hosted the COFCOR Ministerial meeting and the 11th
Significant investment was made in refurbishing court facilities, training persons in alternative justice services, and providing support for victims of crime and violence.
Minister Delroy Chuck (4th left) along with Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Amy Tachco (4th right), cuts the ribbon to officially open the child-friendly space at the Victim Services Branch office in Mandeville, Manchester, on August 18. Sharing the moment (from left) are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane; Custos of Manchester, Hon. Garfield Green; Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Rhoda Moy Crawford; Warnath Group Country Project Director, Aylair Livingston; Manager, Trafficking Secretariat, Ministry of Justice, Audrey Budhi; and Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison.
Renovation of Court Houses
• Clarendon Parish Court was renovated at a cost of $24.3 million.
• St. Mary Parish Court (Gayle) was renovated at a cost of $21.2 million.
• Refurbishing work undertaken at the Hanover Parish Court at a cost of $20.8 million, and included roof repairs, bathroom upgrade and A/C installation.
• Supreme Court bathroom facilities was upgraded at a cost of $12.4 million.
• The St. James Family Court was upgraded at a cost of $9,013,100.
• The Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA) Civil Court (Sutton Street) received bathroom and plumbing infrastructure upgrade at a cost of $6.3 million. Work was also under- taken at the KSA Parish Court (Criminal Division) at a cost of $3.5 million.
• Work was undertaken at the Trelawny Parish Court (Duncans) at a cost of $8.2 million, including asphalt paving, and supply and installation of chain link fencing and gate.
Social Justice Division
• New Social Justice Division established.
Victim Support
• For the period January to September, 4,508 new clients were referred to and served at the Victim Services Branch (VSB) and 5,762 follow-up clients assisted.
• A child-friendly centre opened in Portland to provide counselling and other support services for youngsters who are victims of crime and other abuses. The facility was set up through $6.7-million from the United States (US).
• A child-friendly space was established at the VSB office in Mandeville, Manchester, under the US-Jamaica Child Protection Compact Partnership.
• Jamaica received Can$12-million from Canada, under the Social Justice (So-JUST) Project, to facilitate a more rights-based and gender-sensitive justice system.
• The Ministry revamped its website, which now showcases several interactive features designed to increase Jamaicans’ engagement with and enhance their understanding of the justice system and the services provided.
Justices of the Peace
• For the period January to September, 802 Justices of the Peace (JP) were commissioned and 5,474 were sensitised.
• Cabinet approved an annual subvention to JP associations.
Expungement
• For the period January to September, 1,590 expungement applications were processed.
Restorative Justice (RJ)
• From January to September, 27,534 persons were trained and sensitised; 258 RJ practices training sessions were conducted; and 1,994 case conferences were conducted with 7,550 clients benefitting.
Child Diversion
• From January to September, 6,741 (2,663 males and 4,078 females) were sensitised. In addition, 504 (348 males and 156 females) referrals received, and 211 (182 males and 29 females) clients completed the programme successfully.
Legal Aid Council
• For the period January to September, 360 clients received consultations. In addition, 5,653 clients were assigned attorneys, and of the cases received 2,761 of those were completed.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security continued to provide support to the most vulnerable in the society.
Minister Pearnel Charles Jr (5th left, back row), and State Minister, Dr. Hon. Norman Dunn (4th right,
back row), with some of the 15 families, representing 35 students, who were presented with book
vouchers, totalling $500,000 to assist with back-to-school expenses. The families were victims of a
fire in Gregory Park, St. Catherine in August. Offering support is Member of Parliament for the area,
Hon. Alando Terrelonge (4th left, back row).Dr. Norman Dunn (right) greets a customer at the
Ministry’s Manchester Regional Office, during a tour
of the facility on September 29. Looking on (from left)
are Colette Roberts Risden, Permanent Secretary in
the Ministry and Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of
Labour and Social Security, Minister Charles Jr, presents a food package to 69-year
-old Eli Powell, during a visit to his home on Henley
Road, Kingston 11 on December 21. Mr. Powell, who
is blind, is a beneficiary of the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), and
the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).
Social Security Division
• Pension rate increased under the National Insurance Scheme, effective June 15. Full rate increased by 23 per cent, moving from $3,400 to $4,200 per week. The benefit for persons receiving three-quarter-rate pension was increased by 37 per cent, moving from $2,500.50 to $3,500 per week. Also, pensioners receiving half-rate pension saw a 76 per cent increase, moving from $1,700 to $3,000 per week.
• Effective April 1, the flat rate for the minimum weekly pension increased by 74 per cent, moving from $1,700 to $3,000.
• Twenty grade-10 students who are pursuing agricultural studies at secondary-level institutions in St. Catherine received a donation of $600,000 from Jamaican workers at Gebbers Farms in Washington in the United States (US).
• Families on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) received an additional sum of $3,500 to help with back-to-school expenses for each child registered in a public school from grades one to 13.
• A total of $6.03 billion was expended on PATH benefit payments as of December 2023, while some $372 million was spent on Back to School expenses for 106,048 students.
• The Social Pension Programme disbursed payments totalling some $306,958,800 to elderly citizens and has approximately 14,657 participants registered in the Programme.
• The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) launched the Accessibility Checklist, which is designed to identify architectural and communication barriers encountered by persons with disabilities in private and public facilities.
• The Child Development Centre opened its doors in September to 223 children with developmental disabilities, who are now receiving special intervention in Kingston and Portland. Additionally, 60 children with mild to severe disabling conditions transitioned into special or regular primary education.
• 458 clients from PATH house- holds received entrepreneurship grants under the Steps to Work Programme totalling $73. 2 million.
• The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives approved a grant of more than Can$24,000 to expand the strategic engagement of rural women with disabilities in sustainable farming techniques.
• The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities provided Rehabilitative Grant support valued at $ 21,926,180.75 to 382 persons with disabilities in Jamaica.
Labour Division
• Almost 10,000 workers were dispatched to Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP).
• Effective June 1, the national minimum wage was increased from $9,000 to $13,000 per 40-hour work week.
• The minimum wage for industrial security guards was increased from $10,500 to $14,000 per week.
Work was advanced in 2023 to further Jamaica’s transition from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic. The process is spear- headed by the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
Prime Minister Holness (foreground), with members of the Constitutional Reform Committee, at the
Office of the Prime Minister on March 22. From left are (2nd row) Sujae Boswell, Senator Donna ScottMottley, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte; Ambassador Rocky
Meade; Attorney General, Dr. Derrick McKoy and Laleta Davis Mattis. In the back row (from left) are Dr.
Nadeen Spence, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, Hugh Small, Dr. David Henry, Anthony Hylton
and Professor Richard Albert.Legal Education Officer, Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs,
Ivan Godfrey (right), speaks to Cedar Grove Academy students
about the voting process during the Ministry’s Road to Republic
School Tour, which was launched on November 23, at the St. Catherine
based institution.
Key Achievements
• Establishment of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) on March 22, 2023. Members will provide expert guidance and oversight to Jamaica’s transition from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic.
• Executed over 70 public engagement sessions between April and December 2023 (Town Hall Meetings in Portland, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St. James; presentations by stakeholders at CRC meetings; online consultation sessions; etc.).
• Completion of deliberations by the CRC on matters relating to the transition from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic and establishment of the Office of President (Phase 1).
• Formation of the Public Engagement and Communication Committee, which facilitates the receipt and examination of questions, proposals and ideas from the Jamaican public and mobilises public interest in the work of the Committee.
• Establishment of the Youth Strategic Engagement Committee to facilitate active and inclusive participation of young people in the constitutional reform process.
• Creation of the State Affairs Committee, which is responsible for reviewing the existing powers exercised by the Monarch through the Governor-General, under the Constitution and any other relevant laws or by convention.
• Launched Road to Republic National Public Education Campaign, aimed at educating Jamaicans on the Constitutional Reform Process, particularly the country’s journey from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic.
• Bail Act passed by House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 25.
• Completion of deliberations by the CRC on matters relating to the transition from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic and establishment of the Office of President (Phase 1).
• Design and implementation of a robust Legal Education Programme.
• Establishment of a comprehensive human rights portfolio, active engagement of all stakeholders, maintaining a presence in international fora, and receiving commendations from stake- holders in carrying out the work.
• Creation of a dedicated web- site for the Constitutional Reform (Road to Republic) Programme: road-to republic. mlca.gov.jm. The Ministry’s website was established in 2022 (mlca.gov.jm).
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), and
Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon,
interact with youngsters during the launch of the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) at
the Marcus Garvey Technical High School in St. Ann in June.Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams (right), presents
a cooked meal to one of several persons living on the streets of the
Corporate Area who were catered to during the Mayor’s Annual New
Year’s Feeding of the Homeless treat. The activity was held at St.
William Grant Park, downtown Kingston.
• Nine (9) homes handed over to indigent persons.
• $25 million Falmouth Home- less Shelter in Trelawny opened.
• The Ocho Rios Night Shelter in St. Ann opened to accommodate the homeless.
• $20 million in back-to-school assistance was allocated for students registered under the Poor Relief Department.
• A drop-in centre and night shelter, adjacent to the Clarendon Infirmary, was opened.
• Phase-two development of the Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre for the Homeless in downtown Kingston commenced to increase occupancy to 100.
Summer Employment
• 4,000 youngsters were deployed to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the summer.
Disaster Preparedness and Relief
• The Local Government Ministry committed $50 million for the national response to the meteorological drought that impacted Jamaica.
• $60 million was spent to improve access to potable water for residents in several communities across the Jamaica severely impacted by drought.
• $4 million was allocated to help address sewerage challenges in Falmouth, Trelawny.
• Comprehensive soil surveys were conducted in two parishes, the results of which will inform national action to promote sustainable land use and management practices for agri- culture and infrastructure development.
Several major infrastructural engagements were undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development:
Fire Stations
Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (6th left); Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond
McKenzie (6th right); and Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford (4th right), with stakeholders at January’s opening of
the Port Maria Fire Station in St. Mary.
• A new $258 million fire station opened in Port Maria, St. Mary.
• $70 million upgrading works commenced at the Annotto Bay Fire Station in the parish.
• Black River Fire Station in St. Elizabeth was renovated at a cost of $70 million.
• The Ocho Rios Fire Station in St. Ann renamed the Ocho Rios Lorenzo Garnet Douse Memorial Building, in honour of the late firefighter who was based at the facility at the time of his demise.
Infirmaries
• New $45 million male ward to accommodate 40 residents was built at the St. James Infirmary.
• Newly built $45 million male ward opened at the Portland Infirmary.
• Administrative building opened at St. Elizabeth Infirmary to improve support and healthcare service delivery.
• $50 million allocated to undertake renovations at the St. Ann Infirmary.
Rural Water Supply
• $12 million water shop commissioned in Fairfield, St. Elizabeth.
• 16,000-gallon storage capacity water shop established in Mile Gully, Manchester at a cost of $14 million.
• 40,000-gallon water shop, valued $21 million, opened in Somerset, Manchester.
• A 22,000-gallon water shop was commissioned in Commodore, Portland at a cost of approximately $13.5 million.
• $220 million upgraded water system in Watermount, St. Catherine, which now serves more than 7,000 residents, was commissioned.
• 50,000-gallon community catchment tank in Ashton, Westmoreland restored at a cost of $10 million.
• $12 million water shop was commissioned in Fairfield District, St. Elizabeth.
Parks and Markets
• $17 million rehabilitation of Savanna-la-Mar Market in Westmoreland commenced.
• $100 million multiphase renovation project under way at Charles Gordon Market in St. James.
• Restoration of Jubilee Market in downtown Kingston, which was gutted by fire several years ago, 90 per cent complete.
• Residents of Pembroke Hall in St. Andrew received a $16 million wellness park.
• $10 million provided to the Portland Municipal Corporation to undertake clean-up activities at Musgrave Market which was destroyed by fire.
