The Ministry of Transport and Mining continued to implement initiatives to improve road safety.
New features to be placed on a driver’s licence
• The Ministry announced that it will be introducing new security features on the driver’s licence to
eliminate fraud.
These new security features will be facilitated under the Regulations of the new Road Traffic Act.
Hundreds of surveillance cameras installed islandwide
• Hundreds of cameras were installed across the island, to help reduce traffic violations.
Approximately 490 traffic cameras were installed across Kingston, 80 in Ocho Rios, 120 in Montego Bay, 38 in May Pen and 30 in Mandeville.
These state-of-the-art systems have licence-plate-reading technology and are geared towards recording vehicles involved in traffic offences.
Online Training for PPV Drivers and Conductors
• Agreement signed for online training of drivers and conductors to receive training in the use of the road code, defensive driving and customer service.
• Agreement signed to offer training to applicants of leaner’s licences, who, as of January 24, 2020, will be required to pass a road code test in order to receive the permit.
Government Hands Over Management of NMIA
• The management of the Norman Manley Inter-national Airport (NMIA) was officially handed over by the Government to PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL).
JBI Provides $4.8 Million in Scholarships
• The Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) granted $4.8 million in scholarships to eight students attending the Portland-based College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE).
Minerals Sector Contributes to GDP
• The minerals sector contributed some 2.7 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while earning some US$1.3 billion.
• Some 90 exploratory licences granted for semiprecious minerals such as cobalt, copper, gold, silver and zinc.
• The Government heightened discussions with private-sector interests to develop a limestone production facility to boost export and to provide services to refineries.