Achievements 2015 PAGE – 1

2015ACHIEVEMENTSACHIEVEMENTS

BUILDINGBUILDING A SSTRONGERTRONGER :JAMAICA:

ImpImprrovingoving PPeople’seople’s LLivesives • Prime Minister Continues to Drive Growth Agenda – 2 • Protecting the Most Vulnerable – 14 • Making Jamaica a Safer Country… One Nation, One Mission – 7 • World Leaders Visit – 24 INSIDE • Major Investments in Tourism – 11 • More Persons Accessing ICT – 27 P2AGE – 2 Achievements 2015 Prime Minister Continues to Drive Growth Agenda

he Government, under Improving Health Facility the leadership of Prime l In February, Mrs. Simpson TMinister, the Most Hon. Miller broke ground for the Portia Simpson Miller, con- $42 million renovation of tinued to implement socio- the Hagley Park Health economic programmes and Centre. initiatives in 2015 to grow the economy and raise the living Upgrading Island’s Road standard of all Jamaicans. Infrastructure l In July, the Prime Minister Jamaica also solidified ties signed a $15.2 million con- with important bilateral partners. tract for the construction of a box culvert bridge in the Strengthening Ties West Central St. Catherine l The country hosted several farming community of leaders, including United . The const- States (US) President, ruction of the box culvert Barack Obama; Prime was the fulfillment of a Minister of the United promise to replace the Kingdom (UK), the Rt. Hon. existing structure, which David Cameron; President was severely damaged. of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, His Excel - Providing Clean, Affordable, lency Nicolás Maduró, and Renewable Energy l More than 20,000 Jam- Prime Minister of Japan, aican homes are expected His Excellency Shinzo Abe. to be powered by clean, l President Obama and affordable, renewable Prime Minister Simpson energy to be generated Miller, signed a Statement Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (right) addressing journalists following from the US$61 million of Intent to pursue energy- the bilateral meeting with United States President, Barack Obama, at Jamaica House in April. Both solar electricity plant being related initiatives including leaders had wide ranging discussions on key issues of mutual interest, including national security, built in Content District, the Liquefied Natural Gas climate change, and energy. The meeting formed part of activities for the two-day visit to Jam- Clarendon. In July the (LNG) project. This will aica by President Obama, from April 8 to 9, which included Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Prime Minister broke increase bilateral trade, Heads of State and Government. ground for the 20-mega- boost the development of watt plant, the largest of emerging technologies and the West Indies (UWI) and of Sweden, Stefan Lofven, Improving Water Supply its kind in the Caribbean. Japan’s Sophia University. during a two-day Summit industries, and pave the l The Prime Minister, in July, It will replace approxi - of Heads of State and way for more innovation. l The renovated Simón signed a contract to under- mately three million Bolívar Cultural Centre, Governments of the gallons of fossil fuel per l Prime Minister Cameron take a $4.9 billion, five- named in honour of the European Union (EU) and year, Non-Revenue Water year. announced that Jamaica the 33 countries of the and other Caribbean Venezuelan Liberator, Reduction Co-Management was officially opened on Community of Latin Project in Kingston and St. Enhancing Education islands are to benefit American and Caribbean l In November, the Prime from a £300 million grant September 6 by Mrs. Andrew, aimed at reducing Minister signed contracts Simpson Miller, and States (CELAC), held in water loss in the Corpo - from the United Kingdom Brussels, Belgium. The valued at $64 million for (UK). The funds will sup - President Maduro. rate Area due to leaks expansion and rehabilitation meetings reviewed several and theft. port infrastructural projects President Maduro was in areas of cooperation of the Mandeville Primary across the region in order the island for the 10 th Anni- between Jamaica and This will save the National and Junior High School to enhance trade. versary Commemorative the two EU countries and Water Commission billions in Central Manchester. Summit of the PetroCaribe of dollars in lost revenue l Prime Minister Abe ann- identified additional areas l The educational status of ounced that Japan would Agreement. The centre was of cooperation to be as well as improve water 77 persons from the grant $57 million for a gift to Jamaica from the pursued. supply to residents. community of Majesty Government and people improvements to the l It was announced at the l Also in July, the Prime Gardens, in South West of Venezuela. Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), Summit that Jamaica will Minister broke ground for St. Andrew, has been including the procurement Advocating for Jamaica benefit substantially from the start of the rehabilitation improved. They success - of audiovisual equipment on the International development assistance of the $75 million Goldmine fully completed various and upgrading of exhi- Stage through the European Water Supply System, in levels of the Jamaican bitions. Commission over the St. Catherine. This will Foundation for Life long l The Prime Minister also l A Memorandum of Under- next five years. The Com- benefit more than 5,000 Learning (JFLL) High standing (MoU) was also held bilateral meetings School Diploma Equiva - with Prime Minister of mission announced € 346 residents of Bellas Gate signed to promote educa- million Euros in funding and surrounding commu - lency (HSDE) programme. tional cooperation bet- Spain, Mariano Rajoy Brey; and Prime Minister for programmes in the nities. ween the University of Caribbean up to 2020. Cont’d on page 3

A production of the Jamaica Information Service January 31, 2016 Achievements 2015 PAGE – 3

PM Continues to Drive Growth… cont’d from page 2 This was delivered gramme in St. Thomas. It through the $15 million is designed to bring Majesty Gardens Com - technical and vocational munity Development training for residents in Education Programme, rural communities. which is an initiative of l The Prime Minister offi - the Prime Minister, who is cially opened a new, $25 the Member of Parliament. million classroom block, l In September, the Prime at the McIntosh Memorial Minister officially opened Primary School in Man - the Fidel Castro Campus of chester in on November. the Anchovy High School The new block will pro - located in Montpelier, St. vide eight extra class - James. The facility will rooms. The new class- serve as the second rooms are now added to campus of the Anchovy the 700 classroom spaces High School, and will provided at the primary accommodate approxi - level in that region during mately 900 students from the course of the year. grades seven to eight. Since January, more than 2,000 additional class - l Mrs. Simpson Miller also broke ground for the room spaces have been construction of eight new provided at high schools classrooms at the Bala - in Manchester and St clava High School in St. Elizabeth at a cost of Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (3 rd left), along with the Cuban Ambassador Elizabeth. On completion, $347 million. to Jamaica, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernandez (right), unveils a plaque in honour of the school will be renamed l Four upgraded basic the former Cuban President, Fidel Castro, after whom the Anchovy High School second cam - the Roger Clarke High schools in South Trelawny pus at Montpelier is named. The facility was built by the Cuban Government as a gift to School, in honour of the were handed over to the Jamaica. Looking on from left are: Member of Parliament for South St. James and Agriculture late Minister of Agriculture Ministry of Education. and Fisheries Minister, Hon. , and Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites. and former Member of The projects represent a The institution was officially opened on Friday, September 11. Parliament for North East total investment of $102 aid the teaching and Initiative (REDI). JSIF has Launch of National Export St. Elizabeth. million and have resulted learning processes. invested over $150 million in expansion of early Strategy, Phase II l In November, the Prime in the development of l Mrs. Simpson Miller, in childhood spaces in JSIF Continues to Enhance these projects. Minister launched the August, launched Phase HEART Trust/National South Trelawny, as well Lives as improvements in l The Government invested Sewerage Conveyance Two of the National Training Agency (HEART/ $29.7 million in a series Export Strategy (NES II), NTA) mobile services pro - amenities and facilities to System of summer camps orga- l The Urban Development which is aimed at increasing nised by the Jamaica Corporation signed a con- Jamaican exports in the Social Investment Fund tract for the development global marketplace. The (JSIF), targeted at low of a $624 million sewerage NES II covers 2015 to income youth in 18 com - conveyance system for 2019 and is intended to munities across seven the Caymanas Estate spur export-led growth parishes. Mrs. Simpson property in St. Catherine. by implementing targeted Miller signed contracts The system comprises initiatives with measurable for the 24 camps in July. 7.4 kilometres of force outcomes. This is to be Some of the areas cov - main and two lift stations achieved by advancing ered included vocational to convey sewage to the the competitiveness of skills training; youth in Soapberry Waste water firms and sectors, while agriculture; math, science, Treatment Plant. enhancing the environment technology and engineering; for business and trade. remedial education; envi - Local Economic ronmental management; Development Support Wage Agreements and sexual reproductive Programme Launched Signed l Over 97 per cent of public health and family life l The Prime Minister education. launched the Local Eco - servants agreed to a nomic Development Sup - seven per cent increase l JSIF signed contracts in salaries for the contract with two international port Programme (LEDSP) of the Social Development period 2015/17 with a agencies for the devel- four per cent increase in opment of marketing and Commission (SDC) during the year. Under the LEDSP, the first year and the communication strategies remaining three per cent Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (standing) for eight community- the promotion of the micro, looks on as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), the Rt. Hon. small and medium-size in year two. The Prime based tourism projects, Minister signed several David Cameron, signs the guestbook at Office of the Prime Min- under the Rural Eco - enterprise (MSME) sector ister in Kingston prior to the holding of bilateral discussions. Mr. Heads of Agreement with nomic Development will be given priority. Cameron visited Jamaica in September for a two-day official visit. public sector workers. P4AGE – 4 Achievements 2015 Lowest Inflation, More Employment, and Economic Success amaica continues to ben - multilateral institutions, efit significantly from the which provided significant Jsteady implementation of loan and grant funding the Economic Reform Pro - support during 2015. gramme (ERP). The four-year l Based on the Government’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) performance, the Inter - with the International Mone - national Monetary Fund tary Fund (IMF) forms part of (IMF) agreed to lower the the Government’s ERP. Since Primary Surplus target by its start in 2013, Jamaica has 0.5 per cent of GDP. This successfully completed 10 quar- means that the Adminis - terly reviews and accessed 11 tration has an additional drawdowns totalling US$704.5 $4 billion for 2015/16 and million. a further $8 billion in Notable gains throughout the 2016/17, to spend on year included: capital development projects which facilitate Growth growth in the economy. l Average growth ranged between 0.3 and 1.5 per Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (left), signs a copy of the grant agreement The Government cent for the first three for the provision of £1.9 million ($350 million) for the implementation of the Government’s Strategic Supports MSMEs Public Transformation Project. Looking on are: then Acting Country Representative, World Bank, quarters of the year l Through the Development 2015/16. The Planning Kathy Lalazarian; and British High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency David Fitton. Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) services in the event of a one of the best performing l Local consumer and the Government provided forecasts further growth major drought, hurricane, stock markets for 2015. business confidence has $4 billion in loan financing to ranging between 0.5 and or any other emergency Stronger investor safe - improved since the start Micro, Small and Medium- 1.5 per cent for the October affecting the island. guards and a rebounding of the ERP. In addition, the size Enterprises (MSMEs) to December quarter, economy helped the JSE rate of credit expansion (2014/15 – J$4 billion). In based on positive results Debt to GDP Moving in surge more than 80 per to the private sector over addition, technical assis - in tourism, Business Pro- the Right Direction cent in 2015. 12 months, ending Sep - tance was provided to cess Outsourcing (BPO), l The debt to Gross Dom- tember 2015, increased strengthen these entities, agriculture, and manufac - estic Product (GDP) ratio l Local and foreign investors poured substantial sums by 7.8 per cent. The pro - as well as enhance their turing. The World Bank has been reduced by 20 ductive sector accounted access to financing recently projected growth per cent since the start of money into local stocks last year. for most of the credit through the following: of 2.1 per cent for 2016. of the Economic Reform expansion. – Voucher for Technical Programme (ERP). It is l Foreign Direct Investment Assistance Employment Up currently at 126 per cent has doubled in the last Multilateral Support l The number of persons – Credit Enhancement l Confidence in the Eco - employed increased to a of GDP, with a projection three fiscal years (2011/12 – Facility for further lowering to 120 2014/15), from US$303.4 nomic Reform Programme seven-year high of one remains strong among million, one hundred and per cent by the end of million to US$628 million. Cont’d on page 5 forty-seven thousand, the 2015/16 fiscal year. five hundred (1,147,500) l During 2015, the Govern - at the end of July. This is an ment successfully raised increase of twenty-three US$2 billion through the thousand, two hundred issue of two bonds on (23,200) persons over the the international capital same period in 2014. The markets. This is the high - Statistical Institute of Jam- est ever raised by Jamaica aica (STATIN) reported and, importantly at the that the unemployment lowest interest rate. This rate for July 2015 was 13.1 has also has been declared per cent, down from 15.54 the Bond Issue of the per cent in July 2013. Year (Latin America) by the renowned International Low Inflation Financial Review (IFR). l Up to October 2015, the inflation rate was 2.9 per Part of the proceeds from cent – the lowest in the bond issue facilitated almost 50 years. the PetroCaribe debt buy- back, which immediately Net International Reserves reduced the debt to GDP (NIR) ratio by 10 per cent. l The Net International Reserves stood at US$2.91 Investor Confidence Has Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (2 nd right) looks on as Finance and Planning billion at the end 2015. Returned Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, exchanges signed copies of agreements formalising the Euro - This can purchase six l The Jamaican Stock pean Union’s (EU) provision of €17.7 million ($2.3 billion) budgetary funding support for the Gov - months (23 weeks) of Exchange (JSE) was lauded ernment, with the EU’s Director for Cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, Jolita imported goods and by Bloomberg for being Butkeviciene. At left is Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon Derrick Kellier. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 5

Lowest Inflation… cont’d from page 4

– Innovation Grant from duction of the Revenue New Ideas to Entrepre- Administration Information neurship (IGNITE) System (RAiS). The sys - – Venture Capital tem facilitates online Programme Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) and Tax Enhancing the Budget Compliance Certificate Process (TCC) registration. l For the first time in Jam- aica’s history, the Estimates ASYCUDA of Expenditure and the l The Jamaica Customs Revenue Estimates were Agency (JCA) has expan- tabled at the same time ded its use of the Auto - in the House of Repre - mated System for Customs sentatives. This will allow Data (ASYCUDA), a web- for better planning, project based application for Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia execution, and manage - processing imports and Miller (left) and Japan Prime Minister, His Simpson Miller attends the Seventh ment of the country’s exports. ASYCUDA facili - Excellency Mr. Shinzo Abe, sign an agree- resources. Summit of the Americas held in tates electronic processing ment at the Office of the Prime Minister in Panama City, Panama, in April. of transit, transshipment, St. Andrew in September. Prime Minister Improved Procurement private and public bonded Process warehousing declarations Abe was on a two-day visit to the island. l During 2015, new legislation was passed to improve for commercial and non- commercial imports at the procurement process Prime Minister the for Government goods select facilities, including and services. Jamaica’s the Port of Kingston. This Most Hon. Portia first Electronic Procurement will yield significant savings Simpson Miller presents Platform was introduced and improve service a certificate of title to delivery. and will reduce adminis - Cleveland Williams at trative costs, processing the launch of the time, and increase effi - Revenue Appeals Division ciency and transparency. l Aggrieved taxpayers can National Land Titling now avoid lengthy court Programme and Revenue Administration sessions by having their Certificates of Title at disputes over tax assess- Information System (RAiS) Christ the Redeemer l Tax Administration Jam- ments quickly resolved at aica (TAJ) is making it the newly established Church in Seaview easier for taxpayers to Revenue Appeals Division Gardens on August 12. file returns with the intro - (RAD).

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (2 nd left) participates in breaking ground to symbolise the start of a $75 million rehabilitation project for the Goldmine Water Supply System in St. Catherine. Also par - ticipating (from left) are: Member of Parliament for West Central St. Catherine, Dr. Kenneth Baugh; Minister of Water, Land, Environ - ment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill; and Mayor of , Councillor Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (left), Norman Scott. Also pictured and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Repre- in the background (3 rd left) is sentative for Jamaica, Therese Turner-Jones, sign copies of the Chairman of the National Water $1.97 billion (US$17 million) IDB Adaptation Programme and Commission, Prakash Vaswani. Financing Mechanism for the Pilot Programme for Climate Change The event took place at the agreement, at the Ministry in Kingston. Bellas Gate Primary School. P6AGE – 6 Achievements 2015 Government Communication Policy and Sexual Harrassment Law he Government last year, Outreach, was completed The campaigns complemented 2015, saw major develop- and opened to serve youth presentations at schools across Tments in the information mothers in Clarendon. the country on the opportunities and gender portfolio with the Property was acquired for and challenges in the digital age. launch of the first ever Gov - building a similar f acility in ernment Communication Policy; Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth The Commission also embarked implementation of a digitisation on a programme to promote project to preserve the country’s Digital Archival System copyright compliance by cable, l A $23 million (US$200,000) important audiovisual history, television and radio station state-of-the-art Digital operators. This includes the the Sexual Harassment Bill Archival System has been tabled in Parliament in Dec- phased removal of unauthorised acquired to convert current channels. ember and several initiatives analogue images, sound to promote gender equality, and video recordings to a Steps have also been taken to gender mainstreaming and digital format. This will allow improve the Commission's cap- combat gender-based violence. for greater preservation, acity with the acquisition of a building at 9 Central Avenue to GoJ Communication easier access and retrieval of use of images and audio - house its permanent head - Policy Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. quarters. The first ever Government Com- Sandrea Falconer, accepts a cheque for US$200,000 (J$23 million) visual works owned by the munication Policy which pro - from the South Korean Ambassador to Jamaica, Jong Seon Public Broadcasting Com - The new facility will allow the vides a comprehensive frame- Lim, at Jamaica House on November 10. The money will be used mission of Jam aica (PBCJ), BCJ to better serve its stake - work for developing a well- to purchase a state-of-the-art Digital Archival System, which will be the Jamaica Information holders and fulfil its mandate managed and coordinated used to preserve audiovisual data from various public agencies. Service (JIS) the CPTC, of monitoring an increasingly the Jamaica Archives and Government communication evaluation framework to ensure victims of domestic vio - dynamic and expanded broad- Records Department (JARD) machinery is now being imple- that the various aspects of lence. One (1) site visit was casting and digital landscape. and the Institute of Jamaica. mented across Ministries, Dep - the plan are implemented and conducted by OPM and The system is a gift from artments and Agencies (MDAs) achieving the targets set. Woman Inc. during the l Jamaica Information third quarter. the Government of the Service The Policy details specific stra- l 222 civil servants were Republic of South Korea Work on the relocation of tegies to be pursued by MDAs sensitised on Sexual Har- Gender Mainstreaming & which hon oured a request the JIS Television Depart - in creating a modern, responsive assment and trained on from Minister Sandrea Fal - ment to premises at 5-9 system, including increased Empowerment how to develop a Sexual l To better serve the educa - coner during a visit in 2012. South Odeon Avenue has citizen engagement, wider Harassment workplace tional needs of adolescent It is the first of its kind in the started. This is the first step accessibility of Government policy mothers, the Women Centre English-speaking - towards creating a National information, greater use of l 2,290 members of various of Jamaica Foundation Caribbean. Media Centre at the prem - social media, and better coor- communities across the launched the virtual Carib- ises now occupied by the dination in communication island were sensitized on bean Secondary Education YIR – Broadcasting Public Broadcasting Com - within and between MDAs. Commission gender-based violence Certificate (CSEC) Pro- The Broadcasting Commission mission of Jamaica (BCJ). It provides the bases for:- with special emphasis on gramme, allowing adoles - carried out an extensive media l Jamaica House Press Trafficking in Persons cent mothers in rural com - l Effective dissemination of literacy exercise. This included Briefings in official information and l 173 professionals in the Jus - munities the opportunity to multimedia campaigns to pro- Information Minister, Senator meaningful engagement tice System were sensitised attend CSEC classes by mote responsible and super - the Hon. Sandrea Falconer with the people of Jamaica; on gender-based violence distant learning. The CSEC vised use of media by children took the weekly Jamaica classes are delivered from l Encouraging continuous l A three-month social media and the provision of information House Media Briefing to improvement in relations campaign providing a plat- the Kingston Centre to the to television audiences on the western Jamaica, hosting with the media, and the form for awareness, advo - rural sites each day. process of copyright clearance three briefings in Montego establishment of ongoing cacy and collaboration on l A new facility for adolescent for programmes on cable Bay and providing members consultation mechanisms gender-based violence was mothers – the Denbigh channels and local television. of the media the oppor- with citizens. conducted by the Bureau tunity to directly question of Womens Affairs and other Ministers. Press briefings Sexual Harassment Bill/ partners. It also provided Gender based Violence are normally held at In December, the Prime Minister guidance on developing Jamaica House. tabled the Sexual Harassment and implementing pro - Bill in the Lower House of Par - grammes and strategies l Jamaica in Press liament. When passed into law to address the incidence Freedom it will provide a frame work for of vio lence, especially Top 10 Ranking Jamaica clearly identifying what consti - against women and girls. moved up eight places tutes sexual harassment, the ninth out of 180 countries The Shelter Strategy in the 2015 World Press persons by and against whom l The first ever shelter strategy it may be committed, and the for battered women is being Freedom Index. It was the actions that may be taken developed. It contemplates first time that Jamaica against the offenders. the construction or acqui - achieved a top 10 ranking sition of four shelters across in Press Freedom. The A Revised National Strategic world press freedom survey Action Plan on Eliminating the island in the first ins- Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea tance. The shelters will pro- is compiled by the global Gender-based Violence (GBV) Falconer (right), and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica media watchdog, Re - was completed. The revised vide tempo rary and sa fe Information Service (JIS), Donna-Marie Rowe, peruse the Government porters Without Borders. plan includes a monitoring and accommodation for of Jamaica Communication Policy, which was launched in December. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 7 Making Jamaica a Safer Country… One Nation, One Mission

he Ministry of National porteur on Trafficking in l Improvements to the 119 Security is fulfilling its man- Persons. emergency system, inclu- ding digital upgrading of Tdate for citizen security l A Trafficking in Persons and public safety through the (TIP) curriculum was the analogue radio platform. work of its 13 Departments implemented in schools in l Installation of CCTV cam - and Agencies. As it engages September to build knowl - eras at strategic locations the trust and partnership of the edge and awareness islandwide. public, the Ministry has achieved among students from l Implementation of the ‘Stay success over the past four grades six to nine. The Alert’ App which enables years in passing ground- curriculum module seeks persons to report criminal breaking security legislation to create increased sensi - activities to the police. To and progressively modernising tivity among students and date, more than 5,000 the national security forces in teachers about TIP as a persons have downloaded a proactive fight against crime transnational crime. the software application to and lawlessness in Jamaica. Minister of National Security, Hon. (left), hands l Representatives from the their phones. Jamaica Defence Force The key success drivers have over a pair of keys to Commissioner of Police, Dr. Carl l Implementation of the been: Williams, during a ceremony at the Commissioner’s Office in (JDF) Coast Guard; Anti- e-station diary pilot proj - Trafficking in Persons Unit, l The introduction of new Kingston. A total of 60 motorcycles were handed over. Of the ect which will enable elec - crime-fighting strategies; total, 10 will be assigned to the Traffic Division while the others C-TOC Branch; Passport, tronic recording of reports, will be deployed for operational purposes across the island. Immigration and Citizen - complaints, and adminis - l The employing of cutting ship Agency (PICA); and animals and an overall tigation Branch (C-TOC), trative entries at police edge forensic and inves- Jamaica Customs Agency tigative/detection tech- 14% reduction in praedial as the Government stations, eventually larceny . (JCA) were among the 90% replacing manual entries. nologies; increased its focus on of all frontline per sonnel terrorist organisations by trained in Upholding Human l The JCF developed a traffic l Greater mobility for national Parenting targeting their networks security through the acqui- l The Ministry continued its Rights and Use of Force ticketing mobile application, and ill-gotten gains. sition of motor vehicles, focus on parenting through policies. which allows traffic officers maritime vessels, its Unite for Change initia - to access the traffic data - Fighting Human Trafficking Modernisation and base wirelessly, giving equipment and machinery; tive. Parents were encour - l Jamaica recorded its first aged to take ownership of conviction for human traf - Technology them immediate access to l Engagement of the citi- their situation, find solu - In keeping with the Ministry’s drivers’ information. zenry through imaginative ficking under the Trafficking vision to be the model of tions and work together to in Persons (Prevention, l Improved immigration behavioural change com- stop violence. National Security excellence process through the munications to create Suppression and Punish - through the employment of ment) (Amendment) Act implementation of Auto - partnership with national The Fight Against modern technology, the MNS mated Kiosks and more security institutions. 2013. The legislation pro - has embarked on the follow ing: Organised Crime and vides harsher penalties efficient systems. Lottery Scamming l The upgrading of the Auto- Reinforcing a Culture of and expands the list of l Launch a new Immigration / l a. Under the One Nation, Lawfulness offences. mated Palm and Finger - Customs Landing Card; One Mission banner, print Identification System l In 2015, the police arrested the Anti-Lottery Scam- l Children’s Advocate, Dia - reducing fields from 27 to 700 persons for murder, which has expanded data- 15, making the form more ming public education hann Gordon Harrison, base capacity to facilitate and the Criminal Investi - programme was staged was appointed as the is - user-friendly. gation Branch achieved a more timely provision of in St. James, Trelawny, land’s first National Rap - l Deployed four self-sufficient 55% clear-up rate in mur - police records. Hanover and West- Portable Police Posts in ders. moreland to sensitise at-risk communities l There was positive public young people about the during periods of unrest. response to the Get the dangers of scamming. l The Passport, Immigration Guns campaign, which The Major Organised and Citizenship Agency retrieved more than 180 Crime and Anti- (PICA) introduced a US$1.38 illegal firearms and over Corruption Agency, million facial recognition 2,000 rounds of ammunition MOCA, also continued system (FRS), to better from the streets, while its public education stemming the entry of protect the identities of campaign, sensitising persons applying for pass- weapons through our students in Western borders via the guns-for- ports. Delivery of same drugs trade. The JCF’s Jamaica. More than day passport service has partnership with the Haitian 250 persons have been commenced and 39 immi - authorities resulted in the arrested, there were gration officers were interception of 13 illegal convictions locally and trained and deployed to firearms that were des - overseas and billions of take up duties at the two tined for Jamaica, and dollars in assets seized. major airports. seized 2,500 pounds of b. The merger of the Orga- Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting (left), helps to cut the ribbon to officially open the new Fellowship Hall Legislative Achievements marijuana in 2015. nised Crime Investigation l The Criminal Justice (Sup - Division (OCID) and Flying Police Post in Hill Run, St. Catherine. Also taking part are Director l The response by the police of Caribbean Broilers Group (CB), Lori-Ann Lyn (centre), and Head pression of Criminal Orga- Squad created the nisations) 2014 Act to rampant praedial larceny of the Police Area Five, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Counter-Terrorism and (Anti-Gang) resulted in the recovery of Derrick Knight. The facility was constructed at a cost of $10 more than 205 stolen Organised Crime Inves- million. Cont’d on page 8 P8AGE – 8 Achievements 2015

Making Jamaica a Safer Country … cont’d from page 7 l Law Reform (Fraudulent culture of lawfulness in Jam- (iv) reducing reoffending. vulnerable communities Strengthening Police Transactions) (Special aica, a ‘Rule of Law Working across eight parishes. l This initiative of the Min - Provisions) Act 2013 Group’ was appointed, com - One noteworthy achieve - Mobility & Maritime istry has implemented a Capabilities (Anti-Lottery Scam) prising members drawn from series of interventions in ment in 2015 was the l The JCF’s mobility was l Deoxyribonucleic Acid the Partnership for Jamaica. violence-prone commu- training of 30 youth resi- (DNA) Evidence Act, The group will assist in impro- nities. One such inter- ding in the Corporate significantly boosted with 2015 (Tabled). The DNA ving participation and account- vention was a public Area youth as stevedores the acquisition of 140 Evidence Bill was drafted, ability as well as provide a more education and behaviour under a $10 million part - new motor vehicles, at a tabled in Parliament and objective and authoritative change programme nership with the Shipping cost of approximately passed by the Lower assessment of developments in which has built a number Association of Jamaica. $350 million. Sixty-three House paving the way for the area of crime and violence. of important stakeholder motorcycles, valued over l 100 children from the $58 million, were also Jamaica to set up its relationships with community of Tredegar National DNA database. Unite For Change (UFC) churches, communities, added to the JCF’s fleet. l Launched Unite For Park in St. Catherine were These have been l Amendment to (POCA) parents and schools. Change: A programme engaged in a three-week deployed to the Traffic (Asset Forfeiture & Cash l Trained and deployed to improve parenting, vocational summer camp. Division and resort areas transaction limit lawfulness, volunteerism fifty (50) Violence Inter - islandwide. l Maritime Drug Trafficking & collective efficacy rupters in violence-prone Strategic Policy and communities in St. James Capacity Building l Ten 37-foot Boston (Suppression) Act 2015 l The Ministry has taken a and Clarendon Significant investments have Whaler boats, valued at l Evidence Special policy approach to tackle been made in the technical US$1.5 million, were Measures Act the causal effects of Citizen Security and crime as a public health capabilities of the police. In received from the US l Amendment to Trafficking Justice Programme issue premised on inter - 2015, the over 240 new recruits Bureau of International in Persons Act (CSJP) added to the JCF were sub - Narcotics and Law rupting, preventing and l Now in its third component, l Amendment to Expunge - changing social norms the multifaceted crime jected to stricter screening Enforcement. The vessels ment Act through (i) crime prev- and violence prevention measures that included 100% will strengthen the JCF’s border security capability, l Amendment to Dangerous ention through social initiative focuses on buil- polygraphing technology. Drugs Act – Decriminalised development, (ii) situa - ding community safety Among the achievements were: and regional partnerships forged by Jamaica to the possession of small tional prevention, (iii) and security, poverty l The merger of the JCF and quantities of marijuana, effective policing and reduction and crime pre - curtail the guns-for-drugs ISCF, thereby reducing trade. making it a non-arrestable justice processes; and vention in 50 volatile and operational and adminis - offence; saving time, trative costs and increasing Firearm Licensing reducing overcrowding in efficiency Authority (FLA) lock-ups and reducing l The FLA implemented a caseloads in RM courts. l Creation of the Major Orga- nised Crime and Anti- ‘Safe Use and Handling l Jamaica and United Corruption Agency (MOCA) Assessment’ for firearm Kingdom (UK) strength - to target both criminals holders. Approximately ened co-operation against and their facilitators 625 firearms were the illicit drug trade through destroyed during 2015. a three-year Memorandum l Lowered crime statistics: 2014 recorded lowest l A Regional Office will be of Understanding (MOU) opened in Mandeville which will allow for the crime figure in 11 years Boats donated by the United States Government to the Jamaica and the Montego Bay sharing of information l Renovation and con - Constabulary Force (JCF), to assist in the country’s crime- Regional Office now of - and the provision of struction of buildings fers the full range of FLA human resources and fighting effort. The handover ceremony was held at the Commissioner’s Old Hope Road offices in St. Andrew. l A new police post valued services. equipment by the UK to at over $10 million was Jamaica. It is an update opened in Hill Run, St. Prison Modernisation of an agreement signed Catherine. The and Rehabilitation of some two years ago. Inmates Police Station is being l Work has commenced l The merger of the Forensic upgraded at a cost of on a $164 million 304- Lab and the Legal Medi - $25 million and several bed, 2-storey Medium cine Unit to become the police posts and stations Risk block at the Forensic Institute was were renovated on Tamarind Farm Adult approved by Cabinet in Labour Day in 2015. Correctional Facility, to September 2014. Sub- ease the overcrowding in l Work is in progress for sequently, the Lab under - the correctional system. went an organisational the construction of 14,000 review and was given a square feet of new office l The Department of Cor - new organisational struc - space for JCF’s head - rectional Services has ture, to include new man - quarters. The new admin- overseen the removal of agement systems that will Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson istrative building will con - all children from adult reflect its vision, mission (left), who is clad in the Jamaica Defence Force’s (JDF) new sist of four floors and will correctional facilities with and mandate. Digital Combat Uniform (DCU), symbolically hands over a accommodate up to 70 all female wards now uniform to Warrant Officer Class 1, Anthony Lysight. Occasion members of staff. It will housed in one location at Partnerships For Citizen was the official unveiling of the uniform at the JDF Head - house the Records Reg - the South Camp Juvenile Security In the move to reduce crime quarters, Up Park Camp. The uniform, which replaces the istry, and a number of Correctional/ Remand and violence and engender a Disrupted Pattern Material (DPM) camouflage, became a other functional units. Centre. standard issue since January. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 9 Education Ministry Continues to Provide More Spaces he Ministry of Education secondary and post - in training in various dis - made significant progress secondary levels. ciplines under the Regis - tered Apprenticeship Tin several areas including: l Thirteen new technical and construction/expansion of school vocational subject areas Programme (RAP). Among plants, increased skills training were introduced at the the sectors are services, opportunities, ending the shift secondary level with all hospitality & tourism, ICT, system in several schools, 167 high schools across and construction. nutritional support for early Jamaica offering at least l More than 5,000 students childhood stu dents and the one TVET subject in an were enrolled in the Career implementation of professional external examination at Advancement Programme, development initiatives, among grade 11. The MoE spent putting them on a path others. over $100 million for towards achieving tertiary exam fees last year. level education. The pro - Infrastructure l Over 150 million was spent gramme was expanded Development on the purchase of mate - to more than 53 institutions l A new $70 million state- rials and equipment for including private and pub - of-the-art infant school schools offering technical lic tertiary institutions. The was built in the South West Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (left), is assisted and vocational subjects. certification rate increased St. Andrew com munity of from less than 10 per cent by a student of Bois Content Primary School in South West l The HEART Trust/NTA Union Gardens. in 2012 to over 50 per cent St. Catherine, in cutting the ribbon to formally open the newly coached and secured in the NVQJ examinations. l Six new classrooms were built flush toilet facility at the school, under the Ministry’s employment for 3,548 constructed at the Aabuthnott $100 million Primary School Sanitation Project. The initiative certified jobseekers Ministry Modernisation Gallimore High School in is being jointly implemented with charity organisation, Food for since April 2015. l The Department of School St. Ann at a cost of $24 the Poor, and the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation. Sharing in l The National Unattached Services (DSS) was cre - million. the occasion are (from 2 nd left): General Manager, JN Foundation, Youth Programme was ated to separate the Min - l Approximately $150 million Saffrey Brown; and Chairman, Food for the Poor, Andrew Mahfood; launched to increase istry’s policy functions was spent to construct along with students of Bois Content Primary School. community-based training from its operational 22 additional classrooms opportunities to under - mandate. This facilitates at Hampton High School, l The Trench Town and l The country also achieved served and unemployed greater levels of efficiency in St. Elizabeth; Mount St. Charlie Smith High significant advancement Jamaicans. Over a four- and emphasis on school Joseph High and Belair schools were merged. in numeracy at the grade month period, the pro - improvement, which is in High Schools in Man- four level, moving from 49 l The former Jamaica gramme doubled enrol- keeping with the ongoing chester. Defence Force facility at per cent in 2011 to 67 per ment with over 1,155 per - Public Sector Moder- l New classrooms were Montpelier, St. James, is cent in 2015. sons trained. nisation Programme. provided at Balaclava l now the Fidel Castro Mathematics passes in l HEART Trust/NTA, with High and BB Coke High the Caribbean Secondary Curriculum Development Campus of the Anchovy assistance from the Gov - l The National Standard Schools in Elizabeth, at a High School. It now Education Certificate ernment of Japan and Curriculum was piloted in cost of $156 million. accommodates approx i- examination increased by other partners, refurbished 49 schools. This has laid l Three new classrooms mately 900 students in seven percentage points the Crooked River/Brae the groundwork for the were opened at the Donald grades seven and eight. to 62 per cent. This was Head Skills Training Centre roll-out of the curriculum Quarrie High School in the third consec utive year in Clarendon to accom - to commence in September East Rural St. Andrew at l All-Age School of improvement. in St. Andrew received a modate 80 trainees. 2016. The new curriculum a cost of $12 million. places greater emphasis new infant department. Skills Training and l The former Armadale l Vauxhall High School in Juvenile Correctional on critical thinking, problem l Ground was broken for Employment Kingston received four l In order to prepare young Centre in Alexandria, St. solving and independent additional classrooms. the construction of the people for employment, learning and provides clear $40 million James Ann, was transformed l A new block with eight the HEART Trust/NTA into a multi faceted skills statements of stan dards Patterson Infant School stepped up its efforts to or grade expectations for classrooms was built at a in Dias, Hanover. training centre to accom - cost of $25 million at the provide Technical Voca - modate 125 trainees. each subject. McIntosh Memorial Primary tional Education and Shift System l 622 male and female Early Childhood Sector School in Manchester. Training (TVET) at the l Twenty primary and high apprentices were engaged l 300 basic schools were l A new $20 million building schools, including Vaux - merged to create over 100 was opened at the Zion hall High, were taken off infant schools of much Hill Primary School in the shift system in 2015. higher quality. 125,000 Manchester. When schools are re - children were provided moved from the shift sys - l Ground was broken for with free breakfast and construction of a new tem, the children receive lunch to ensure that they 12-classroom block at increased teaching hours. are able to learn in school. Mandeville Primary and Student Achievement l Major strides were made Junior High School at a l The Millennium Develop - under the Early Childhood cost of $64 million. ment Goal of literacy was Rationalisation Programme, l The new Trench Town surpassed by the grade which converts basic Polytechnic College was four age group. Eighty- schools into infant depart- opened to offer skills and seven percent of that age ments. Some $477 million career training for young cohort recorded mastery The newly constructed Zion Hill Primary School, in Bombay, was set aside to carry out the programme. people. of literacy at grade four. Manchester, which was built at a cost of over $20 million. P1A0 GE – 10 Achievements 2015 Jamaica Attracted Billions in Investments usiness reforms being operational efficiency undertaken by the Gov - through the installation of Bernment have facilitated a Combined Heat and an investment boom, with the Power (CHP) plant to country attracting billions achieve greater energy from the establishment and efficiency and make the expansion of operations in logis- plant more competitive. tics, Business Process Out - The company also com - sourcing (BPO), and manu - mitted to invest US$10 facturing, among others. These million in its Project Grow investments are generating initiative over five years. It jobs for thousands of Jam- will set up a cassava supply aicans. chain, as it moves to replace barley imports in Logistics Projects beer production. l More than US$350 million has been invested in the l Industrial Chemical Com - development of the Spanish pany Limited (ICC) upgra- Town Free Zone in St. ded their salt refinery in Catherine, which will gen - Spanish Town, St. Catherine, erate 2,500 jobs. The through a US$2-million property has been expan- loan from the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). ded from eight acres to 42 Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (3 rd right), breaks ground acres, and will accommodat e at the site of Toyota Jamaica Limited's new branch at 91a Old Hope Road in St. Andrew. Improved Business refining and regeneration Also participating (from 2 nd left) are: General Manager, Toyota Tsusho America, Inc., Hiroshi Kitahara; Rankings of petroleum products; Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuo Takase; Managing Director of Toyota l Jamaica jumped seven manufacturing of com - Jamaica, Tom Connor; and Managing Director of Matalon Homes, Peter Matalon. Looking spots to 64th in the World posites and insulation on (at left) is Member of Parliament for Eastern St. Andrew, Andre Hylton. The facility which Bank’s 2016 Doing Busi - material; vehicle assembly represents a $400 million investment was constructed by Matalon Homes. ness Report. The country and auto parts re-manu - was rated among the top the establishment of a call l facturing; distribution and Global Services, expanded LASCO Manufacturing 10 most improved countries centre incubator in the manufacturing of pharma - operations to Mandeville. Limited has invested over worldwide in terms of Montego Bay Free Zone, ceutical and nutraceutical With the expansion, the $2 billion to upgrade and executing business reform. which can accommodate products; as well as company, which already expand its White Marl Jamaica also excelled in activities for some 200 research and manufacturing has offices in Kingston, plant. The completion of the areas of getting credit entities. of tobacco products. has increased employment the manufacturing facility and starting a business. It to 3,000. has seen the employment l 63,000 square feet of now takes only three days l US$600 million will be of some 300 Jamaicans. spent to facilitate the l Sutherland signed an space was constructed in to establish a company in l Red Stripe has invested development of port facilities agreement with the Uni - the Montego Bay Free US$7.7 million in plant Cont’d on page 13 at the Kingston Container versity of Technology (UTech) Zone, which will provide Terminal (KCT). The work for the establishment of a additional facility for the will be carried out by the BPO facility at UTech’s expansion of the BPO world’s third largest ship - Papine campus. The sector. arrangement provides ping line – CMA/CGM. l A five-year National Out - opportunities for students sourcing Strategy was l Kingston Wharves Limited to work with the company has invested $990 million in launched, which is aimed under the ‘Earn as You at growing the BPO sector the construction of the Learn’ model, which total logistics facility. The by some 18,000 jobs by already exists at the Uni - 2020. project will cost $1.8 versity of the West Indies billion and employ 300 (UWI). l 1.2 million square feet of persons. BPO space is to be pro - l Advanced Call Centre vided at the Naggo Head l Courts/UNICOMER has Technologies (ACCT) and Tech Park, the Caymanas invested US $8 million in Xerox Corporation opened the development of a ICT Park, and the Barnett facilities at the Barnett Tech Park. distribution centre in Tech Park in Montego Kingston. Bay, adding 1,000 jobs. Manufacturing Investments l West Indies Petroleum l Seprod Limited will invest Industry, Investment and Commerce State Minister, Hon. (WIP) has invested over l A $57 million (US$500,000) $5 billion over two years, Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams (right), is shown a bag of organic US$10 million in the BPO Cluster Initiative Incu- starting with a US$3.5 charcoal by Bamboo Industry Association (BIA) President, expansion of its bunkering bator came on stream, million investment in Robert Rainford. The occasion was the launch of the BIA at the services in Kingston. through grant financing equipment to increase the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston. Looking on (from 2 nd under the Inter-American manufacturing capacity of left) are: Director, Special Projects, Bureau of Standards Jamaica BPO Investment Projects Develop ment Bank’s (IDB) Serge Island Dairy Farm (BSJ), Gladstone Rose; President, Small Business Association of l The multibillion-dollar Compete Caribbean Pro - by 45 per cent. Jamaica (SBAJ), Hugh Johnson; and BSJ Chairman, Professor BPO entity, Sutherland gramme. It will support Winston Davidson. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 11 Major Investments in Tourism amaica’s tourism sector a safe, stable, and nurturing continued to shine in 2015. environment for investments JArrivals were up, airlift to to succeed resulted in an the island was the best it has unprecedented wave of invest- ever been, and the industry ments both by local and foreign attracted significant local and investors. Since 2012, some foreign investments. J$64 billion has been invested in new and refurbished prop - In addition, the tourism industry erties. 2,500 hotel rooms are played a major role in deepening under construction or have just linkages with other sectors of opened. In addition, over the the economy, earning much- next decade, some 7,000 new needed foreign exchange and rooms are projected to come generating jobs that benefit on stream. people and communities across the nation. l In December, Caribe Hos - pitality (Jamaica) Limited Tourism generates some US$2 opened the $2.2 billion Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (3 rd right) is assisted by Man - billion in earnings annually, (US$25 million) 129-room aging Director, Kevin Hendrickson (5 th left), in cutting the ribbon to mark the official reopening and roughly 180,000 people are Courtyard by Marriott of the rebranded Holiday Inn Resort in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, in April. The hotel was directly or indirectly employed Hotel in New Kingston. refur bished at a cost of US$15 million. Others participating (from left) are: Director, Brand Expe - to the industry. l The 730-room Moon Palace rience, Holiday Inn Americas, Justin Alexander; Holiday Inn Resort's General Manager, Clark Jamaica Grande Resort Lobban; wife of the Managing Director, Jackie Hendrickson; Group Director of Marketing Visitor Arrivals and Spa, in , St. l Jamaica recorded a signifi - and Sales, Holiday Inn Resort, Nicola Madden-Greig; Montego Bay Mayor, Councillor Glendon cant increase in visitor Ann, was officially opened Harris; and Tourism Director, Paul Pennicook. arrivals, which totalled 3.6 in November. It was refur - for the construction of two million cruise and stop- bished at a cost of $23.9 five-star hotels in Trelwany, overs up to the end of billion (US$200 million) by at a cost of $39.9 billion November. This was 177,000 the Palace Resorts. (US$200 million). The project, more visitors than for the which will provide 800 rooms, l The 518-room Holiday Inn similar period in 2014 –a should be opened by 2018. five per cent increase. Resort, formerly Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, in Rose l Mexico-based Karisma l On December 22, Sangster Hall, St. James, was refur - Hotels and Resorts will build International Airport saw the bished at a cost of $1.79 nine hotels over 10 years, highest number of passen - billion (US$15 million) by the at a cost of $109.9 billion. gers for one day ever. 17,500 InterContinental Hotels This will add 4,000 rooms arriving and departing pas - Group. to the country’s stock. sengers including 6,000 cruise ship transfers l The 9,000-square-foot Jewel Infrastructure passed through that airport. Lagoon Water Park offi - l $272.1 million was spent to Among the passengers cially opened in July at the install lights along Montego were 6,000 were cruise The Courtyard Marriott in New Kingston, which was officially Sagicor-owned Jewel Run - Bay’s 27-kilometre ‘Elegant ship transfers. Ninety- eight opened in December. away Bay Beach and Golf Corridor’, which runs bet- flights were processed, 20 Resort. This $550 million ween the Sangster Inter- of which were long-haul attraction is one of the national Airport roundabout 300-seaters from Germany largest in the Caribbean and the Iberostar Hotel in and the United Kingdom. and adds another dynamic St. James. The project was dimension to the country's undertaken by the Min - Airlift tourism product. istries of Tourism and l An additional 60,000 inter - Entertainment, and Local national airlift seats have l Spanish chain, Meliá Hotels been secured for the 2015/16 International, partnered Government and Comm- Winter Tourist Season, with the National Insurance unity Development, with which runs from December Fund (NIF) to operate the financing from the Tourism to April. Of this number, former Braco Village Resort Enhancement Fund (TEF). in Trelawny, under a 15- 50,000 originate in the l The TEF has committed United States, with some year lease. The 225- room $250 million to develop and of the notable carriers hotel, which has been equip some 16 public including – Frontier Air - rebranded the Meliá Braco beaches and to make them ways, American Airlines, Village, was refurbished at more accessible. and Southwest. a cost of $1 billion, and reopened in early January. l TPDCo officially opened the Investments Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham Ma idstone Museum in A renewed confidence in Brand McNeill (2 nd right), and State Minister, Hon. l Spanish/Canadian joint Nazareth, Manchester in Jamaica together with the nd venture group, Ocean by (2 left), greet patrons attending last year’s ‘Arts in the Park’ Cont’d on page 13 Government’s efforts to create entertainment event at Hope Gardens in Kingston. H10 Hotels, unveiled plans P1A2 GE – 12 Achievements 2015 Billions Spent on Road Construction and Rehabilitation

he Government continued mented along roadways in JEEP its push towards the devel - Westmoreland, Trelawny, l Nearly 1,400 projects were Topment of the country’s St. James and Hanover. completed under JEEP at a road network, spending billions l Approximately 40,000 square cost of just over $2.1 billion. on construction and rehabili- metres of patching was com- They include: parish council tation projects. pleted along 40 road corri - roads; major infrastructure dors in Kingston, St. Andrew development; tourism; ren - Road Projects ovation of community facil - l Cabinet has approved a and St. Catherine. The areas ities; and the construction contract to China Harbour include Hagley Park Road, Engineering Company Lim - Constant Spring Road, of housing units. ited (CHEC) for the design, Spanish Town Road, • 360 projects in Kingston improvement and con - Molynes Road, Hope Road, and St. Andrew struction of Sections 1A Old Hope Road, and r oads • 184 in St. Catherine and 1B of the Southern in New Kingston. • 151 in Clarendon Coastal Highway Improve - l Significant improvement • 18 in Trelawny ment Project. The works work, valued $14 million, • 52 in St. Thomas will involve the 43-kilometre was carried out on the • 121 in St. Ann stretch from Harbour View Howard Cooke Boulevard • 82 in St. Mary to at an esti - in Montego Bay, while the • 57 in Portland mated cost of US$385 Old Porus Road in Man - • 67 in Manchester million. chester was upgraded at a • 126 in St. Elizabeth This is part of the overall Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar cost of $24 million. • 62 in Westmoreland segment from Harbour • 49 in Hanover, and Davies (left), cuts the ribbon to launch the Jamaica Urban l A $14 million project was View to covering • 68 in St. James Transit Company’s (JUTC) Kingston City Tours, at the Half- undertaken to increase the approximately 65 kilometres nd Way Tree Transport Centre. Looking on (from 2 left) are: capacity of the section of l The Government allocated of roadway. Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham the North Gully, which runs $159.8 million to parish l Contracts valued at more McNeill; Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. ; Man - through the Capital Heights councils and the Kingston than $1.5 billion were aging Director of the JUTC, Colin Campbell, and Mayor of community in Central St. and St. Andrew Corporation signed for improvement Kingston, Senator Councillor, Dr. Angela Brown Burke. James. (KSAC) for road repairs works on roads and under phase four of JEEP. l The main road between Sour l A new two-lane bridge is l In partnership with the Uni - bridges, under the US$352 versity of the West Indies million Major Infrastructure Sop Turn and Chapelton in being built at Pear Tree River l $23 million was spent to Clarendon was improved at in Eastern St. Thomas at a (UWI) , an $8 million man - complete projects in three Development Programme grove replanting project (MIDP). a cost of $1.2 billion. The cost of $49.5 million. Clarendon communities. project, completed in March, was undertaken along the The projects are the Kellits l A contract worth $83.9 million l The road projects include Palisadoes shoreline in included alignment, realign- was signed for the rehabili- Skills Training Centre; Pen - Mineral Heights to Dawkins ment, widening, and paving Kingston. nants Community Centre, Pen (through Hayes), tation of a 7.4-kilometre of the roadway; construction l Cable crash barriers were post office, and clinic; and Clarendon for $238.4; Riley stretch of roadway from of drains; placement of road installed along the Palisadoes the Lionel Town post office. (Dias) to Glasgow in Mocho to Arcadia in South markings; and installation of Road in Kingston under a Hanover to be carried out St. James. l Residents of Gravel Lane traffic control devices and $10 million pilot project to and Wisbeach in Clarendon at a cost of $360.7 million; signals. l A $3 million hot mix patching enhance the safety of users Silver Spring to Santoy, to programme was imple - of that corridor. Cont’d on page 13 Green Island, Westmore - l Phase two of the eight- land, $165.5 million; San - kilometre stretch of shared toy to Orange Bay for pathway for bicycle and $40.9 million; Fellowship pedestrian traffic along the through Windsor and Sea - Boulevard man's Valley, to Mooretown in Negril was completed. in Portland for $143.3 mil - The $145 million project, lion; and Sheffield to Silver funded by the Tourism Spring for $41.2 million. Enhancement Fund (TEF), included drainage work National Works Agency and the repair of bridges. l Contracts valued at $665.4 l Work has started on the $69 million (US$5.53 million) million rehabilitation of the have been signed for re - Hellshire bridge in Portmore. building of the Kupius Bridge in Penants, Clarendon. The l $27 million was allocated for project will benefit residents the rehabilitation of the of several communities in Forum Bridge on Port North and North Central Henderson Road in Portmore. Clarendon, including l Work was completed on the Chapelton, Frankfield, Barbican Way bridge at a Kellits, and Pennants. cost of $12 million. A section of the newly constructed North-South Highway Achievements 2015 PAGE – 13

Billions Spent on Road … cont’d from page 12 l Kingston City Tour Service Air Transport which allows Jamaicans l State-of-the-art air traffic and visitors to see and learn control towers, constructed more about Kingston was at a cost of $2.57 billion, were launched. There are four commissioned into service tours – Reggae, Heritage, at the island’s two major , and Scenic. international airports.

Jamaica Attracted Billions … cont’d from page 10

Jamaica, and two interac - opment Agency (MIDA), tions with Government and Self-Start Fund (SSF) agencies. have been merged to increase efficiency and l Jamaica is also high - lighted as one of two better serve MSMEs. Caribbean countries that Bamboo Industry have made tax compliance l $15 million grant agree - easier for businesses. ment was signed with the Organization of State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan (right), is shown repairs l The 2015-2016 Global Competitiveness Report American States (OAS) being carried out on the Brandon Hill main road in West Rural St. Andrew under the Jamaica for the development of Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) by Director of Major Projects at the National credited Jamaica for improving its procedures the bamboo processing Works Agency (NWA), O’Reilly Henry. The road was one of several in the constituency which industry in Jamaica. was repaired at a cost of $280 million. to start a business, ranking now have access to improved million sidewalk rehabilitation Customer Care Centre to the country third globally, l A 12-month bamboo roadways at a cost of $13.5 project, to facilitate wheel - improve service delivery to and eighth in the legal project was launched in million. A $10.1 million box chair users and pedestrians. its approximately 240,000 rights index. Peckham, North West Clarendon. It includes culvert bridge was also l Four roadways in East clients. l Jamaica is also ranked constructed in Bigwoods, as having the best Foreign the cultivation of 40 Central St. James – Lover’s l The Google Transit Tech - hectares of bamboo; the St. Elizabeth, while West Lane, Dollar Mango, Timber nology Application (app), to Direct Investment (FDI) Road in Manchester, which strategy in the Caribbean construction of a factory Close and Green Park – provide commuters with with equipment and serves residents of Cobbla were repaired at a cost of easily accessible information and Central America by and adjacent communities, the prestigious Financial technology to produce a $12 million. on bus routes, schedules, range of by-products; has been rehabilitated at a and fares, was launched. Times’ FDI Magazine. cost of $6.5 million. JUTC Jamaica received over training of residents in l 27 new buses were added to bamboo cultivation tech - l The ‘Prepaid Smarter Card’, US$628 million in FDIs in l Repairs were carried out the Jamaica Urban Transit the 2014/15 financial niques and production. which provides commuters The project has created along Golding Avenue in Company’s (JUTC) fleet, with another cashless and year. Papine, St. Andrew, under bringing the number to 569. convenient option to pay employment for over 80 the Government’s $10.4 persons. l The JUTC also launched its their fares, was launched. Support for MSMEs l The Mobile Business l The first major supply of Clinic continues to make internationally certified its way across the island, cont’d from page 11 organic bamboo char - Major Investments … and has provided services coal, totalling 9,600 lb, November. The building partnered on a public edu - central unit for listing local to almost 2000 entrepre - was shipped to the housing the museum, which cation campaign – ‘Nuh entertainment services and neurs. United States. is situated on the premises Dutty Up Jamaica’- to im - companies. l A Micro, Small and l The first locally manu fac - of the Nazareth All-Age prove knowledge and atti - Medium-size Enterprise l Kingston was designated a tured organic bamboo char- School, was renovated by tudes towards waste and Creative City of Music by (MSME) Financing Task - coal kiln was developed. TEF at a cost of J$9.73 its impact on public health the United Nations Educa- force, with representatives million. The museum exhi- and the environment. The tional, Scientific and Cultural from academia and the Trade and Export bits artefacts to presere campaign was funded Organization (UNESCO). private and public sectors, Facilitation Maidstone’s history, and under the $34.5 million UNESCO’s Creative Cities was developed to explore l The second phase of the promoting the community’s ‘Clean Coasts Project’. programme has a network viable options for MSME National Export Strategy heritage, while diversifying of 69 members from 32 financing. (NES) was launched to its tourism product, as well Entertainment increase Jamaica’s l 351 entertainment practi - countries covering craft l The Boards of the Jam- as enhancing its economic tioners and 45 companies and folk art; design; film; aica Business Develop - exports and improve the development. have registered with the gastronomy; literature; ment Corporation (JBDC), country’s overall economic performance. l The TEF and the Jamaica National Entertainment music and media arts. Micro-Investment Devel - Environment Trust (JET) Registry. The registry is a P1A4 GE – 14 Achievements 2015 Protecting the Most Vulnerable

Social Security industry. The passport, he Ministry continues to which will be issued to provide assistance for the each worker, indicates Tmost vulnerable in society their training level and including grants to start small certification.

bus inesses to move more per - l Jobseekers residing in sons from welfare to wealth Manchester now have cre ation. easier access to the services of the Labour l The Government provided $4.7 billion to families Market information Sys - under the Programme of tem (LMIS), under an Advancement through agreement with the Man - Health and Education chester Chamber of (PATH), and $72 million Commerce, to establish to provide transportation of a satellite station at its allowances for 2,500 offices. PATH students. l 8,022 workers went to Canada and 6,434 to the l Another $100 million was spent to provide assis - United States, to parti- tance to needy students cipate in the Overseas attending tertiary insti- Employment Programme. tutions. l 245 companies have reg - l More than 200 young istered with the Voluntary PATH beneficiaries par - Compliance Programme ticipated in an annual designed to prepare Summer Camp organised stakeholder entities for under the Steps-to-Work the Occupational Safety programme held in and Health Act (OSHA). Kingston and St James. Former Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, presents a certificate to Nicola They benefitted from Williams, a student at the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP), during a graduation exercise last year . training in entrepreneur - Social and Economic Portland, with the support ship, job readiness, and Inclusion of Persons with of the Digicel Foundation. other interventions. Disabilities Project, The ESP caters to the funded by the World education and development l The Jamaica Council for Bank at a cost of just needs of children with Persons with Disabilities under US$3 million. special needs. Since its (JCPD) conducted the inception in 1975, the country’s first ever socio- l $4 million in empowerment programme has benefitted grants were given to 30 economic survey on per - approximately 20,000 sons with disabilities. The persons with disabilities from the JCPD. The funds children across the island. survey cost $2.8 million Currently, the programme and was sponsored by were provided to assist those who have either offers services to over the Government of 1,200 children. Jamaica (GOJ) and the started a business or are Inter-American Develop - in the process of doing so. l $75 million was spent ment Bank (IDB). under the Short Term Pov- l $86 million has been erty Intervention Project, l The Government of approved for the con - as the Government con - Japan provided over $10 struction of an additional tinued its work to protect million through its Human facility for the Early Stim - the nation’s most vulner - Resources Development ulation Programme (ESP). able. The money was Grant programme to The new facility, which spent mainly on entre - boost education and will be built at the ESP’s preneurial ventures, and skills training for persons Hanover Street location, the provision of compas - with disabilities. The in downtown Kingston, sionate grants. training programme is will include an assessment being carried out under Labour centre as well as rooms Productivity, workplace safety, the Government of Jam- for physical and speech aica’s Social and Eco - and advancing labour market therapy, and other types reform were priorities. nomic Inclusion of Persons of treatment. with Disabilities Project. l In August, a new $30 mil - l The Ministry commenced its Workers Safety Pass - l Twenty-seven persons lion ESP facility, known as Stimulation-Plus (STIM- port Programme for per - received permanent Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller hugs a young PLUS), was opened in sons in the construction employment through a resident of Balaclava, in St. Elizabeth. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 15 Major Upgrading of Public Health Institutions o demonstrate the Govern - primary health care centres – now recruit, train, and ment’s commitment to the $13,53 million employ substance abuse Thealth and well-being of 3) Purchase of six ambulances counsellors for the Drug the nation, the health sector – $85.5 million Treatment Court and Re - budget was increased by $7.2 4) HDU Equipment - $95.5 habilitation Programme. billion to $50.9 billion. This 17 million The programme aims to per cent increase was the largest 5) Support for improvement improve the country’s non-debt expenditure in the of health seeking behaviour efforts in combating the 2015/16 budget. (two contracts) –$39.4 million use, production, and traf - In 2015, the Ministry continued Ambulances ficking of illegal drugs by to upgrade the sector’s infra - l Eighteen new ambulances providing an alternative to structure and improve service have been acquired – 10 incarceration for drug delivery at public health insti - through a contract with abusers through the tutions across the island. Toyota Jamaica; six through justice system. the Programme for the Primary Care Reduction of Maternal 10-Year Development l Renovations were com - and Child Mortality Plan pleted on several health l A 10-year strategic plan centres: the Claremont (PROMAC); and two with to advance health care Centre of Excellence – the assistance of the service delivery is being $64.3 million; Exchange Minister of Health, Hon. (3 rd left), examines CHASE Fund. developed with $29.94 Health Centre – $57 mil - one of several medical equipment donated by the Pan American million (US$250,000) in lion (with funding support Drug Treatment Court Health Organization (PAHO)/Who Health Organization (WHO) and Rehabilitation grant support from the from the CHASE Fund); to the Ministry of Health during the handover cere mony held Inter-American Develop - Santa Cruz Centre of Ex - Programme in December at the PAHO Jamaica Office located on the Uni - l The National Council on ment Bank (IDB). cellence - Phase 2 - $113 versity o the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus. Looking on Drug Abuse (NCDA) will million; Junction Health (from left) are PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica, Dr. Centre – $10.1 million; Noreen Jack; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Golden Spring Health Dr. Kevin Harvey; and Disease Prevention and Control Advisor Centre – $41.4 million to Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, PAHO/WHO, (with input from the Jam- Dr. Kam Mung. aica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and CHASE); and the St. Joseph’s Hos - ICT Support James Hill Health Centre – pital in Kingston. Each l The Universal Service Fund $46.8 million; and Nanny- centre will be equipped (USF) provided connec- ville Health Centre – with: one linear accelerator; tivity to 60 health facilities. $51.5 million. one computerised tomo- graphy (CT) simulator; one Maternal and New Born Secondary Care C-arm mobile X-ray unit; Six contracts were signed as l Over $1.28 billion has and one brachytherapy part of the PROMAC: been spent to upgrade 15 machine with Treatment hospitals: 1) Design services for the Planning System and maternal and neonatal St. Ann’s Bay Regional – related Quality Assurance $170 million; Port Antonio – high dependency units – equipment. Training is also $61.9 million $58.9 million; Mandeville included in the contract. Regional – $166.6 million; 2) Design services for four Percy Junor – $18.4 million; – $67.7 million; Black River – $13.4 million; Kingston Public and Victoria Jubilee – $221.2 million; Bustamante – $195.8 million; Bellevue – $53 million; Princess Margaret – $60 million; – $55.7 million; Cornwall Regional – $51.5 million; Falmouth – rd $75 million; and Noel Former Health Minister, Hon. Dr. (3 right), Holmes – $45.6 million breaks ground for the cancer treatment centre at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James. Others partici- Cancer Care pating in the exercise are (from left) Industry, Investment and l A US$14.4 million contract Commerce State Minister and Member of Parliament for was signed with the US- West Central St. James, where the hospital is located, Hon. based Varian Medical Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams; Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Systems to establish two Glendon Harris; Chief Executive Officer, Culture, Health, cancer treatment centres, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund Wilford “Billy” at the Cornwall Regional Heaven; and Chief Executive Officer, National Health Fund Hospital in Montego Bay Mobile Blood Collection Unit (NHF), Everton Anderson. P1A6 GE – 16 Achievements 2015 Thousands Benefit From Improved Access to Potable Water

illions of dollars were l Residents of Gutters, provide improved access project – ‘Building climate Global Environment Facil - spent last year to imple - Retirement and adjoining for hundreds of residents resilience of urban systems ity (GEF) Special Climate Bment projects aimed at communities in West of five farming communities through Ecosystem- Change Fund. in South St. James. improving access to potable Central St. James now based Adaptation’, which l Three locations have been water. have access to a more will be piloted in the Climate Change and the established as points of reliable water supply fol - Kingston Metropolitan collection for electronic Water Projects lowing the completion of Environment Area. The 24-month proj - l Approximately 200,000 l Jamaica will benefit from waste (e-waste). These residents of Trelawny and work on the Gutters/ a US$6 million regional ect will be executed are the National Solid Waste neighbouring parishes Retirement Water Supply climate change resilience through financing from the Management Authority are benefitting from impro- System at a cost of $26.3 (NSWMA) offices in ved water supply through million. Kingston (Half-Way Tree

the completion of $1.6 l The NWC signed a Road) and Spanish Town billion in upgrading works US$7.23 million contract (King Street); and Derma - at the Martha Brae treat - for the procurement of son Plaza, Independence ment plant. 50,000 electronic water City, in Portmore. The e- waste project encourages l Over 6,000 residents in meters for the Kingston the communities of Metropolitan Area (KMA). Jamaicans to properly , Mount Rosser dispose of electronic l The NWC and the National items such as computers, and their environs in St. Commercial Bank signed Catherine now have a mobile phones, printers, reliable supply of potable a US$12 million loan monitors, laptops, key - water from a $460 million agreement to finance the boards, mouse, chargers, system developed by rehabilitation or replace - and cables. the National Water Com - ment of several waste l To protect the country’s mission (NWC). water treatment facilities across the island. natural resources, the l Approximately 7,000 per - Government has committed sons in the communities l Ground was broken for US$16 million to the For - of Clark’s Town, Georgia, the construction of a est Conservation Fund Spicy Hill and Silver Sands concrete tank at Mason (FCF) over a 19-year period. will see improved water River, Clarendon, with l The Scientific Research supply under the $91 capacity for 100,000 gal - lons of water. The storage Council and the National million Clark’s Town Environment and Planning Water Supply Pipeline facility is to be built at a cost of $35.7 million. It is Agency signed a Memo - Replacement Project in Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, randum of Understanding Trelawny. Eight kilometres part of a $202.2 million project for the upgrading Hon. Robert Pickersgill (left), and Member of Parliament for North (MoU) to protect the coun - of pipeline were commis - Clarendon, Hon. Horace Dalley, break ground for the con - try’s plant and wildlife, sioned into service. of the Mason River Water Supply System. struction a $35.7 million water storage facility at Mason River. especially those endemic l The $467 million refur - to Jamaica. bished Bogue water l Rural Water Supply Lim - ited (RWSL) has repaired l Thirty-eight teachers bene- treatment plant in North fitted from climate change East St. Ann was officially the 35,000-gallon Ballynure rainwater catchment tank awareness training as we commissioned into service. prepare to incorporate the The work was carried out in North West Manchester at a cost of $9.5 million. subject in the school cur - under the Jamaica Water riculum. Supply Improvement l The Cassava Pond water l Government signed a Project (JWSIP). The supply system in North West St. Catherine was $278.8 million (US$2.37 rehabilitated plant, which million) deal with Amer- has a production capacity established at a cost of $9 million. ican technology firm, of six million gallons of Environmental Systems water per day, is the main l Contracts totalling US$8.73 Research Institute (ESRI) source of potable water million have been signed to provide Ministries, for thousands of persons for upgrading and improve- Departments, and Agen - in Ocho Rios, as well as ment works to six waste - cies (MDAs) with unlimited the entire Northern Coastal water treatment facilities access to the entity’s belt from North East St. in the parishes of Kingston, suite of technology soft - Ann to Western and Central St. Catherine, and State Minister for Water, Land, Environment and Climate ware. This will enhance St. Mary. Clarendon. Change, Hon. Ian Hayles (left), observes as Marketing Director, land administration and Instant Save Limited, Leanne Spence (right), demonstrates management; planning, l The Government l The Mahoe Ridge to launched a US$3.9 mil - the water saving faucet distributed by the company. Also hazard mitigation, and Horse Guard Water Sup - observing (from 2 nd left) are: former Ambassador of the People’s lion project to protect the ply System was officially emergency management; Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong Xiaojun; environmental science, and Hope River commissioned into serv - Director, Meteorological Services, Jeffery Spooner; and British areas from degradation, ice. Work on the facility national security, and High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency David Fitton. utilities and infrastructure. and to improve water was done at a cost of $9 The occasion was a World Meteorological Day Symposium at resource management. million. The system will the University of the West Indies (UWI) in March. Cont’d on page 17 Achievements 2015 PAGE – 17 Empowering Jamaicans Through Home and Land Ownership amaicans continued to Clifton in St. Catherine with became landowners when benefit significantly from certificates of possession the Prime Minister issued Jthe Government’s pro - for land which they have certificates of title to them gramme of land and housing occupied for many years. through the Land Admin - delivery in 2015. Clifton is one of 30 com- istration and Management munities across five Programme (LAMP). HOUSING parishes where tenure is National Housing Trust being regularised under l The NLA received an $8.3 l The National Housing Trust the Sugar Company of million printing sys tem. spent approximately $18 Jamaica Holdings’ (SCJH) Since its installation, the billion on housing develop- Community Regularization system has been used to ments in 2015. Mortgages and Development Pro - print maps, plans, and other accounted for 94 per gramme. large format docu ments cent of the total spend. for the Agency’s clients. l 101 Jamaicans in Bog l 5,800 new mortgages Walk, St. Catherine, were created, not including loans under the joint cont’d from page 16 financing programme. Thousands Benefit …

l NHT had 1,321 housing l Jamaica has success - well as coasta l resources starts, and 1,458 housing fully phased out the use and human settlements. completions. Minister with responsibility for Housing in the Ministry of of a key ozone-depleting Transport, Works, and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy (right), l The Jamaica Invasive substance, Hydrochlo - Species Database l The agency collected over presents resident of Bedward Gardens, St. Andrew, Jasmine rofluorocarbon (HCFC), (JISD), the first compre - $24 billion in contributions. Blagrove (left), with her certificate of title during a presen - used in the foam manu - hensive portal of its tation ceremony at Bedward Gardens Seventh Day Adventist l The NHT began a pro - facturing industry. kind in Jamaica, was gramme to develop Church. Sharing the moment are Mrs. Blagrove’s daughter, l A number of key sectors launched and can be 9,000 housing solutions Beverley Blagrove, and granddaughter, Anastasia Scarlett. found at: http://apps.licj. which it will fund over 27 will benefit from techni - cal support to boost org.jm/jamaica invasives/. months. solutions constructed at Land Titling a cost of $1.8 billion. l Prime Minister Simpson climate change resilience l Government allocated l The NHT has increased Miller launched the National under the US$19.8 million $5 million for initial clean- its individual loan limit for l 1,200 two-bedroom Land Titling Programme, Adaptation Programme up and disposal of the some new applicants housing units were built implemented by the Inter- for indigent persons which will provide over sargassum (a brown sea- from $4.5 million, to $5.5 40,000 Jamaicans with American Development weed with berry-like air million as at November. across the island through a partnership with Food titles. Bank (IDB). It will provide bladders) currently affec- The new loan limit will strategies and action ting beaches and coast - apply to applicants who for the Poor. A total of l 7,139 new titles were 2,480 units have been issued by the National plans for the water, health, lines across the island and are buying properties in and tourism sectors, as the wider Caribbean. new housing development, built to date, providing Land Agency (NLA) from and those constructing employment for 6,700 January to October. persons. new housing units. l 404 property holders The policy change is l Ground was broken for islandwide have already aimed at stimulating the the Green Pond Housing received titles under the construction of new Development in St. James, initiative. They include housing developments which will further the residents of: Whitehouse and boosting the pur - Government’s mandate and Whithorn in West - chasing power of persons. of making some 2,760 moreland; and Bedward residential serviced lots Gardens, Seaward Pen, l The Trust reduced inter - available by March 2016. Seaview Gardens, and est rates for all new loan The Green Pond Housing Tower Hill in St. Andrew. applicants. Beneficiaries Development is made The programme is being earning up to $7,500 per possible through the use led by the Ministry of Trans- week will pay no interest of approximately 71 port, Works and Housing on their loans. acres of land owned by and involves collaboration Developments the Ministry of Trans port, among several agencies l In February, Prime Minister, Works and Housing. to improve the efficiency the Most Hon. Portia in the delivery of titles. l The Government imple - Simpson Miller, presented Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister, mented Phase Two of the l In May, the Prime Minister 60 homeowners with Hon. Robert Pickersgill (3 rd left), officially com missions into keys and possession United Nations Habitat presented 70 residents in the parishes of Westmore- service rehabilitated and new treatment plants at the letters to their brand new Participatory Slum National Water Commission (NWC) facility at Martha Brae, homes in the Sandhills Upgrading Programme land, Hanover, St. James, and Trelawny with land Trelawny. Those sharing in the occasion include: Acting NWC Vista Housing Development (PSUP 2) in Old Harbour nd titles and certificates of President, Mark Barnett (2 left); Falmouth’s Mayor, Coun - in Hellshire, St. Catherine. Bay, May Pen and Mon - nd allotment. cillor Garth Wilkinson (2 right); and Attorney General and They represented the first tego Bay. The project aims Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, Hon. Patrick of 226 families, which will to improve the living con - l She also presented more Atkinson (right). benefit from new housing ditions of the urban poor. than 100 residents of P1A8 GE – 18 Achievements 2015 Thousands of Young People Trained and Employed

he Ministry of Youth and dren are from areas in l 23 volunteers were trained Culture made significant Kingston and St. Andrew, in search and rescue, Tstrides in empowering Clarendon, St. James, including basic first aid, young people through training Manchester and West - in support of Ananda Alert. and employment, safeguarding moreland, and Hanover. Culture and Heritage the welfare of the nation’s children Office of the Children’s l The Blue and John Crow while ensuring that the country Mountains were inscribed continues to make its mark in Registry on the United Nations world culture and heritage. l The Office of the Children’s Educational, Scientific Registry (OCR) opened its and Cultural Organization’s Youth Development St. Mary office to receive (UNESCO) prestigious l Thirty two thousand reports of child abuse World Heritage List. They three hundred and fifty- and missing children. five (32,355) young peo - represent the first World Heritage site for J amaica ple were trained and placed l Ananda Alert computer and the first mixed (cultural in permanent and tempo - units were installed at six parish libraries in St. and natural) site for the rary employment in the Caribbean. They are one public and private sectors. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, of only 32 mixed sites in l 855 young people have and Westmoreland. the world. benefited from valuable Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna (3 rd left), affixes l Four places of historical l The number of missing work experience under the her signature to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), significance – National Youth Service’s which establishes a partnership between the National Youth children was reduced by 10 per cent, while nine out Dryland/One Bubby (NYS) Graduate Work Service (NYS) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Susan, St. Gabriel’s An - Experience Programme (PSOJ), to strengthen the NYS Summer Programme for young of 10 children reported missing were returned glican Church, Arawak/ (GWEP). They were placed people. The signing took place in April 23 at the PSOJ offices through the Ananda Alert Tainos Steps, and Daddy for up to six months and on Hope Road, St. Andrew. Others (from left) are: Vice President system. Rock in St. Mary, were were provided with a of the PSOJ, Gary “Butch” Hendrickson; President, William declared national monu - stipend. Mahfood; and Chairman of the NYS, Maureen Webber. Standing l The platform for the broad- ments. (from left) are: Executive Director of the PSOJ, Dennis Chung cast of missing and l 115 young people have and Director at the NYS, Omar Newell. recovered children was l Charles Town, Portland, been trained to form their and Scott’s Hall, St. Mary own businesses through visiting over 15 communities which engages children expanded using digital screens at select Western were designated national the NYS Entrepreneur - islandwide, distributing in creative activities. heritage sites. Union locations and phar- ship Programme. materials on child abuse l Professional counselling l The Simón Bolívar Cultural and childcare and impac- was provided for over macies via Global Media l 13 young people gradu - Ltd. Information is also Centre located downtown ated from a Business Pro- ting close to 1,000 families. 1,442 children in State Kingston, a gift from the care and 3,687 out of disseminated by the cess Outsourcing (BPO) l 1,500 parents benefitted Government of Venezuela, State care. 1,072 group Jamaica Observer on a training course and were from parenting work - weekly basis, and the was officially opened. subsequenty placed in shops in communities counselling sessions were conducted. One thou - National Commercial Bank l The Culture Passport jobs. across the island. Programme, which was sand children were also through its company l A rapid response system intranet. l The Green Paper of the referred to clinical psy - Cont’d on page 19 National Youth Policy was was established to pro - vide support for children chologists and psychiatrists tabled in Parliament in for ongoing treatment. May. who were traumatised. l 55 students in State care l Holding areas for children l Through collaboration were recognised for out - with CARICOM, 30 young were completed at the Bridgeport Police Station standing results in the people benefited from 2014/15 secondary school entrepreneurial training. in St. Catherine, Barrett Town Police Station in St. external examinations. The number of children l Six new Youth Ambas- James, and sadors were appointed. Police Station in St. Ann. qualifying for tertiary edu- cation increased to 46 l The Spanish Town and l Work was advanced to from 2 in 2012. Hanover Youth Information transform the Maxfield Centres were opened. Park Children’s Home l Research was conducted into a model childcare to determine the preva - l 27 Youth Empowerment centre. A best practices lence of bullying in the Officers were trained in Jamaican society and its programme was instituted, climate change aware - impact on the development which involves extra- ness. of children. curricular activities, mentor- ship, field trips, and training. l Over 1,298 children were Child Development served under the multi- Agency l Musical instruments and agency approach to child l The Child Development equipment valued at protection . Fewer than 20 Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, converses with Agency (CDA) initiated $250,000 were handed Calabar High School students, Stephen Brufford (left), and community walks, with were remanded to a over to the Home for the Barry Rhoden, during one of the Ministry’s Youth Consultations the field services team place of safety. The chil - Art of Life Programme, in , St. Andrew. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 19 Public Sector Workers Accept Wage Agreement he Government improved coincided with passage salaries and benefits for of the Public Procurement Tworkers, while continuing Act in Parliament, and the implementation of pro - launch of Jamaica’s first grammes aimed at enhancing electronic procurement public service delivery. system. Improved Salaries and Public Financial Benefits Management l A new two-year salary l The World Bank has pro - agreement, for a seven vided an $8.6 billion per cent increase for the (US$75 million) loan to 2015/17 period, was bolster the ongoing pro- signed with unions repre - gramme of economic senting public sector growth and development, employees. The workers under the First Compe- received salary adjust - titiveness and Fiscal ments of four per cent for Management Policy Loan 2015/16, and three per Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (seated, centre) signs a copy of the 2015/17 Project. This will support cent for 2016/17. Heads of Agreement reached between the Government and representatives of the Jamaica structural reforms designed l There were also increases Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) . to enhance Jamaica’s for specific allowances, Also signing, (from left) are: JCTU Vice President, Helene Davis Whyte; then Minister with competitiveness, thereby for which retroactive pay - res ponsibility for the Public Service, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley; Finance improving the investment ments are being made. and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips; and Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) Presi - climate. The increase broke the dent, O’Neil Grant. Pictured in the background (from left) are: Manager, Public Relations , Special The provision forms part seven-year wage freeze Projects and Community Outreach, OPM, Shelly-Ann Harris; and Finance and Planning Ministry of a larger programme of that was instituted in officials – Director, Industrial Relations, Lorna A. Phillips; then Acting Financial Secretary, Everton assistance entered into 2008. McFarlane; Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Charmaine Hayman; and Deputy Financial Secretary, by the Government and l Approximately 96 per Wayne Jones. Bank, valued at approxi - cent of the over 100,000 – Senior Uniform Officers’ provide transportation services transform the public pro - mately $58.9 billion workers have signed Association (SUOA) under its Government Employees curement system. This (US510 million). Heads of Agreement for – Jamaica Association of Transportation Pro ject (GETP). improved wage and ben - Education Officers efits. Groups that have – Association of Librarians Land Thousands of Young People Trained … l Lands across the island signed: Jamaica Library Service cont’d from page 18 (ALJALS) have been identified for – United District Constables housing development to Assn (UDC) Some of the benefits include: benefit civil servants and – Jamaica Teachers’ Asso- introduced in schools l The National Gallery l Taxi Allowance there is agreement to the ciation (JTA) across the island, will West was opened in l Meal/Supper Allowance/ development of at least allow the students to partnership with the – Jamaica Federation of Refreshment one (1) project for the Corrections (JAFEDCO), access notable cultural redeveloped Montego – Subsistence contract period. and heritage sites free – Jamaica Confederation Bay Cultural Centre. – Travelling of cost. of Trade Unions (JCTU), – Shift Premium One-off Payments to l Restoration of the Admi - – Jamaica Enrolled Nurses – Uniform/Tailoring Workers l The number of culture ralty House and H Block Association (JENA) l In August, the final payment clubs doubled to 200 in Port Royal was com - – Jamaica Civil Service Education and Training of $25,000 to public sector with membership of pleted, with the facilities Association (JCSA), Grants workers was paid. approximately 6,000. The being used as class - – Jamaica Police Federation l The wage agreement first National Culture Club rooms spaces for the (POLFED) includes an increase in Cash Rewards Programme Conference was staged. Caribbean Maritime the tertiary education l Civil servants are now Institute (CMI). – Resident Magistrates l The Jamaica Cultural grants for children of benefitting from a ‘Team Staff Association Development Commission l The National Library of – Legal Officers’ Staff public sector workers to Jamaica Valucard’ pro - gramme, which sees them (JCDC) upgraded its Jamaica’ s resources can Association (LOSA) $45 million over the two now be accessed online receiving cash rebates at events production capa - – Jamaica Police Officers’ years. It also includes the through the Worldcat participating merchants. bilities through the Association (POA) continuation of tertiary Local- Library Manage - The initiative is a collab- acquisition of much- – Jamaica Association of education loans for workers; ment System. oration between the Gov - needed equipment, Public Health Inspectors refund of tuition; and including a box truck, ernment, private sector, l A national bibliography of (JAPHI) skills training. multimedia projectors, and unions representing books about Jamaica – Meteorologists and Met and screens. and by Jamaicans, since Technicians (UTASP) Transportation civil servants. A subsidy will be underwritten l Signs and storyboards Independence, was pub - – Jamaica Midwives’ by the Ministry of Finance Training were placed at the lished. Association (JMA) and Planning for public sector l 400 public sector pro - Alexander Bedward – Academic Staff curement officers have l The Intangible Cultural workers who travel on the Church Ruins in August Heritage website www. Association JUTC buses. These discussions been trained and certified, Town, to highlight its as part of the Government’s memorybankia.org.jm. – Nurses’ Association of are well on the way. However, historical significance. was created. Jamaica (NAJ) the Government continues to thrust to streamline and P2A0 GE – 20 Achievements 2015 Stronger Justice System ignificant work was done after rehabilitation work on administrative structure to improve the physical the courtroom, balcony, for the Supreme Court in Sinfrastructure of courts office, and refinishing of keeping with modern best across the island, while legis- the floors. A ver tical wheel - practices, and strengthens lative measures were undertaken chair lift was also installed the administrative support and systems implemented to to ensure access to the for the Chief Justice. strengthen the administration two-storey building for l Judicature (Resident Mag - of justice. persons with physical dis - istrates) (Amendment) Bill abilities. Physical Infrastructure 2015 passed in the Senate. l Substantial rehabilitative Developments in 2015 This Bill modernises the works were done to the governance arrangements l A High Density Filing Sys - court facility in Black for Resident Magistrates, tem for the Supreme Court River, St. Elizabeth. Registry was procured at and brings them under the a cost of $48 million and l Preliminary works com - Judiciary Act so that their installed in Public Building menced for the relocation salaries and benefits are North, Kingston. The sys - of the Coroner’s Court and reviewed periodically by the tem reduces the time for Corporate Area Traffic Court Independent Commission retrieval and filing, enabling to premises at 2A Hagley of the Judiciary rather than improvement in produc - Park Road. Major compo - being dealt with as civil tivity while saving time and nents of the project include: servants. money . It also increases refurbishing and improve - l Integrity Commission Bill, storage capacity, freeing ment of existing buildings. Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. (right), with to establish a single Anti- up valuable floor space. It is anticipated that the the assistance of (from left) President of the Senate, Senator corruption Agency, was l Public Building North, a Ministry of Justice will also , and Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, officially open reviewed by a Joint Select major expansion of the be accommodated at the the newly renovated Santa Cruz Resident Mag istrate’s Court - Committee, and is to be Supreme Court in Justice complex, which is owned house. Looking on is special guest at the ceremony, Santa Cruz debated in 2016. Square, Kingston, was by the Government of resident, Javani Parker (background, right). l Evidence (Special Measures) officially opened. It com - Jamaica. prises seven additional which substantially reforms (Appellate Jurisdiction) (Video Recorded Evidence) l A video-link system was courtrooms, judges’ and the laws relating to admin - (Amendment) Act 2015, (Criminal Proceedings) installed at the Corporate istration of the estates of providing for a shorter Regulations 2015, providing masters’ chambers, meeting Area Resident Magistrate's rooms, more spacious deceased persons. This sentence for persons who the detailed parameters Court in Half-Way Tree, allows the Administrator- plead guilty, the reduction for the admission of evi - facilities for the operations St. Andrew. The technology of the various Registries of General to commence and being more substantial the dence from vulnerable will allow vulnerable wit - complete the administration earlier in the proceedings witnesses and witnesses the Civil Division, and other nesses and those unable court amenities. of estates of persons who that the guilty plea is made. unable to attend court via to attend court to give die without making a will a live audiovisual link from l The Western Civil Registry evidence from a safe l Dangerous Drugs without needing to obtain a remote location. of the Supreme Court was remote location. a court order (Amendment) Act 2015, opened in Montego Bay, decriminalising small l Criminal Records (Reha - to allow court documents Legislation in 2015 l Criminal Justice (Adminis - quantities of ganja and bilitation of Offenders) to be filed without litigants l Administrator-General’s tration) (Amendment) Act providing a legislative plat - Regulations 2015, providing or counsel having to bring (Amendment) Act 2015, 2015 and the Judicature form for the development an administrative procedure them to Kingston. The of a regulated industry in for the automatic expunge- facility also provides a new medicinal ganja. ment of past convictions home for the Montego for minor ganja offences, Bay Legal Aid Clinic. l Evidence (Amendment) Act 2015, speeding up the upon a person applying for a police certificate of l A western Jamaica office trial process by allowing their criminal record. of the Administrator- for the admission of facts General’s Department was and documents into evi - opened to ensure more Justice Undertakings for dence by agreement, pro - Social Transformation efficient delivery of services viding a simpler system to persons in the western Project for admitting expert reports end of the island for the first l Information and Commu - time since the entity was into evidence, and simpli - nications Technology (ICT) established in the 1800s. fying the procedure for equipment was acquired admitting computer- for the courts, including l Rehabilitative works were generated evidence. scanners, computers and done to the court facility in digital recorders. Gordon Town, St. Andrew, l Jury (Amendment) Act and the court reopened 2015, reforming several l The Office of the Director (after being closed for sev - aspects of the jury system of Public Prosecutions eral years) providing im - to reduce delays in crimi - and the Attorney General’s proved access for citizens nal trials by juries. Department have also Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding examines the benefitted from ICT equip - in surrounding areas. l Judicature (Supreme state-of-the-art High Density Filling System, at the official handing Court) (Amendment) Bill ment such as com puters, l The Santa Cruz Resident over of the Public Building North of the Supreme Court, Down - video conferencing equip - Magistrate’s Court was 2015 passed in the Senate. town Kingston. Looking on are Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla This Bill establishes a new reopened in November, (left) and Attorney General Hon. Patrick Atkinson. Cont’d on page 22 Achievements 2015 PAGE – 21 Local Government Advances Reform Process he Ministry of Local Gov - Local Economic the building of a two- ernment and Community Development kilometre concrete road - Development made strides way to improve the entrance T l The Ministry continued the in advancing the reform process expansion of its Local to and exit from the dis - through the passage of game- Economic Development posal site, and enable the changing legislation; the initiative. Through the Carib- necessary agencies to expansion of Local Economic bean local Economic Dev- respond more quickly to Development initiatives; a elopment (CARILED) Project, emergencies. multi-stakeholder approach to 13 projects providing tech- l A Parochial Road Spray municipal enforcement; and nical assistance to local Patching Programme citizen participation. authorities and other stake- started in five pilot areas holders were implemented (Portmore, Trelawny, Legislation Passed at a cost of $60 million. Westmoreland, Clarendon, l The Bill entrenching Local St. Thomas). This was Government in the Jam- Training l More than 50 technical achieved through partner - aican Constitution was ship with the Road Main - passed, providing consti - officers of the Ministry and its agencies, involved in tenance Fund (RMF) and tutional protection to Local the National Works Government in Jamaica. the building approval process, benefitted from a Agency (NWA). l The three strategic Bills that $6 million training project. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, undergird local governance A total of 120 will be trained Hon. Noel Arscott, demonstrates the capacity of the water stor - Office Of Disaster were passed into law. under a Memorandum of age and pumping system installed at the Riverton City disposal Preparedness And These were the Local Understanding (MoU) site during a tour of the facility on Thursday, December 17. Emergency Management Governance Bill; Local signed between the Min - for workers at a cost of bers of the Royal Fleet (O DPEM ) Government (Unified Ser- istry and the University of l The ODPEM has crafted a $3.5 million. Auxiliary (RFA), Lyme Bay. national road map, aimed at vice and Employment) Bill; Technology (UTech). The work included remod - and the Local Government strengthening the country’s l 164 persons completed Improved Infrastructure elling of the building to (Financing and Financial l Phase one of the upgrading capacity and lessen the training as Environmental provide a doctor’s office, effects of earthquakes. Management) Bill. of the Spanish Town Infir - medical cubicles, dormi- Wardens through the Jam- Developed in conjunction They create the framework within aica Social Investment mary was completed at a tories, and a dining area. cost of $20 million. The with United Nations devel - which: local authorities will oper- Fund (JSIF) Integrated project included the reno - l The Santa Cruz Poor opment partners, the ate with greater scope and Community Development Relief Office was officially earth quake road map Project (ICDP). vation of three of the infir - autonomy; be subject to new mary’s seven wards (two opened in August 2015. It addresses preparation, re - and clear standards of account- l 30 residents of Cambridge female and one male), as was constructed at a cost sponse, and recovery. ability; exercise prudent financial and surrounding areas in well as the laundry, bath - of over $3 million with management; and oversee a Southern St. James rec- room, kitchen, and desig - funds provided by the St. l ODPEM in collaboration workforce with in creased com - eived training as fire nated staff areas. Elizabeth Parish Council. with the National Spatial petency and skills. wardens. The building has offices Data Management Division l Engineering and construc - for the Poor Relief Officers developed the Geo Spatial l The Board of Supervision Development Application tion works were carried and a representative of Damage Assessment Tool Review Process – partnered with the HEART out on a halfway house in (Geo-DAT) designed to Trust/NTA to provide training Food for the Poor; kitchen; Application Management Clarendon by crew mem - and sanitary conveniences. capture data from post and Data Automation disaster sites in real time. (AMANDA) System Markets/Roads It is a locally developed l Hundreds of developers l Renovation at the Queens Smartphone application continue to use the Market in downtown (app) that has the capacity AMANDA System to track Kingston was completed to assess multiple hazards, the progress of their sub - at a cost of $39.6 million such as hurricanes, fires, missions. The AMANDA l The rehabilitated Frazer to chemical spills, and floods. software allows for trans - Donegal main road, near parency through the facili - Newmarket, in St. Elizabeth, National Disaster Fund tation of a paper trail; and was officially opened. The l One per cent of the money reduced delays in the road was repaired at a cost charged for development processes within the de - of $8 million and is expected approvals is being used to velopment sector. to serve over 8,000 citizens boost the pool of funds of the communities. available for disaster preparedness and National Building Act l Rehabilitation work valued l The revised the Building response. at US$1.8 million com - Act, which will facilitate menced on the access Social Development improved oversight and road to the Riverton City regulation of the built envi - Commission (S DC ) disposal site. The one-year l The Social Development ronment as well as the road construction project, Commission (SDC) pro - adoption and efficient Local Government and Community Development State Minister, slated to be completed in vided greater support for application of the National Hon. Colin Fagan (right), presents an award to Jamaica Fire September 2016, is being Community Development Building Code, has been Brigade (JFB) recruit, Dwayne Rankine, during last year’s grad - undertaken through grant Committees (CDC), through tabled in Parliament. uation ceremony at the Madge Saunders Conference Centre in funding from the Mexican the Government’s Admin - St. Mary. government. It will involve Cont’d on page 22 P2A2 GE – 22 Achievements 2015

Stronger Justice … Local Gov’t Advances … cont’d from page 21 cont’d from page 20 ment and a multi- function istrative Fund, which is recruits graduated from that fees paid to the l Through the work of the heavy duty copier. valued at $20 million. the Madge Saunders collection contractors are Council, the Montego Conference Centre. based on the actual Bay City’s clock tower l 867 jobs were created l The report on the new Cor- garbage disposed. was repaired and a new porate and Organisational through the Local Eco - NATIONAL SOLID WASTE clock purchased at a cost nomic Development Sup - Structure for the Ministry MANAGEMENT Tipping Cell Design & of US$23,000. of Justice was completed port Programme (LEDSP) AUTHORITY (NSWMA) and the proposed Organ - from 141 projects in 113 Division l The Portmore Municipal Improvements and l All tipping areas will now isational Structure appro- communities. The LEDSP Council spent $2 million was launched in May 2015 Remedial Work Done on have multiple access roads to develop a recreational ved in principle by the the Riverton Disposal Site Ministry of Finance and to formalize community to facilitate smooth traffic area and a new park for l The NSWMA, along with children and the elderly in Planning. businesses, and grow flow and increased entrepreneurship in com - its regional body, Metro - efficiency. Waterford, Portmore. l The Strategic Review of politan Parks and Market, munities. l The Westmoreland Parish the Legal Reform Depart - has taken the necessary Public Cleansing Council rehabilitated the ment to improve its leg - l $15 million was spent to steps to reduce the risk of l The NSWMA undertook a Jerusalem Mountain islative research/review construct a community catastrophic fires massive clean-up drive Community Centre at a capacity has been com - resource centre for resi - occurring again. Significant aimed at eliminating mos - cost of $1.2 million. pleted. dents of Rockfort in East remedial works have taken quito breeding sites in l 361 subdivision/building l Manual for the develop - Kingston. The centre is place on the 120-acre major towns across the ment of legislation com - equipped with space for Riverton disposal site. island. plans were received by pleted. an office; community- the Parish Councils, 91 l The NSWMA’s public based policing activities; l The entire area has been per cent of which were cleansing programme in Restorative Justice meetings and social events; covered and the tipping processed within 14 days. Falmouth was improved Programme and business enterprise area for solid waste is now with the addition of a new l The St. Elizabeth Parish l An additional Restorative activities. smaller and more controlled Council issued a manda - Justice Centre was estab- with the use of only one $25 million garbage compactor. tory policy for rain water lished in Montego Bay. Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) of the three operating cell harvesting in new housing th sites. Additionally, other l The 7 International Resto- l The Jamaica Fir Brigade Parish Councils developments. rative Justice Conference repaired 357 hydrants is - upgrading and improve - l Work commenced on the was held in Jamaica. landwide at a cost of ments works are taking construction of a new Kingston And St. Andrew $15.9 million with funding place. These include: $74.8 million building to Corporation National Child Diversion provided by the Japanese house the Westmoreland l 230 vendors were regis - Programme Government. Two hun - Fire Suppression System Parish Council. The modern tered under the KSAC’s l The National Child Div- dred and twenty-three l A 128,000-gallon water vendor registration pro - er sion Policy, on how to storage tank was installed two-storey structure is of the hydrants were being constructed on gramme. The Corporation deal with children in con - in the north-eastern also reclaimed public flict with the law, was repaired in collaboration section of the disposal lands at the intersection with the National Water of Murray and Great spaces in the Corporate approved by Cabinet and site. Area, including sidewalks tabled in both Houses of Commission. The funds George Streets in also facilitated the main - l Two pumps used for Savanna-la-Mar. and recreational parks to Parliament. The required water collection and dis - ensure that pedestrians, legislation to give it effect tenance of another nine l Upgrading work on the hundred and seventy-four tribution to the pipes and including persons with is in development. hydrants were installed. municipal building of the (974) hydrants. disabilities and children, JPs Sworn In l Water pipes were St. Elizabeth Parish have access to these l 224 Justices of the Peace l Phase one of rehabilitation installed around the Council, in Black River, is areas. sworn during the year. of the Spanish Town fire perimeter of the landfill. 60 per cent complete. l The Corporation intro - station has been com - Fire hydrants have also The first phase which Trafficking in Persons pleted. included the construction duced the $2 million l The Anti-Trafficking in been placed along the distribution line. of the Council Chamber Enterprise Assistance Persons and Intellectual Emergency Response Programme, which is Property Vice Squad has been handed over Capabilities l Members of the Landfill intended to nurture and received surveillance and officially opened. l The capacity to respond to Team were trained in equipment aimed at Work on this phase cost develop Micro, Small and fire emergencies has been basic fire prevention tech - some $20 million, with Medium-sized Enter - increasing prosecution of significantly enhanced niques and early res- persons involved in human funding from the Council prises (MSMEs). The with the acquisition of five ponse to prevent fires and the Ministry. The KSAC also awarded trafficking and reduce fire units (pumpers) and dependence on victims getting out of control. overall estimate for the $430,000 in grants to six for evidence. one fire boat. building is $50 million. aspiring entrepreneurs Measurement of Weight l Seventy-nine gears (79) from the Corporate Area. l The National Task Force were acquired for fire- (Scale) l The St. James Parish - The KSAC won the Best Against Trafficking in Per - fighters. l The existing weigh scale Council spent over $1 sons (NATFATIP) received will be repaired and cali - million to undertake reha - Parish Council award, at a $1 million donation from Human Resource brated to capture the bilitation work on the this year’s Public Sector the Jamaica Hotel and Management volume of waste being Cornwall Court Kiddies’ Customer Service Com- Tourist Association (JHTA) l 55 persons were trained delivered to the disposal Park and the Norwood petition (PSCSC). to assist efforts to safe - in core skills, and 103 site daily. This is to ensure Community Centre. guard children. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 23 Agriculture Recovers From Drought to Record Growth espite the severe drought future production at a total mentation of a $14 million affecting the agricultural cost of $12.5 million. farmers’ training pro- sector, preliminary data gramme. 1,500 farmers D l Approximately 45,000 shows only a small decline of pimento seedlings were were trained in poultry, pig 1.5% in overall domestic pro - produced at a cost of and small ruminant man - duction. This was possible $800,000. These will be agement over the year. through strategic interventions distributed (free of cost) to l Jamaica 4-H Clubs youth of the Government of Jamaica farmers for the cultivation leaders continue to benefit that caused a record growth of of an additional 253 hec- from technical and voca - 0.5 per cent for April to June, tares of pimento in 2016. tional training being pro - and 3.3 per cent for July to vided under a three-year September quarter. In addi tion, l For the July to September quarter, traditional export MoU signed with the growth was made possible crops increased by 5.6 per HEART Trust/NTA in 2014. through the introduction of cent, due to a 15.2 per select crops and livestock. l The Ministry invested $8 cent increase in the pro - million in a train the trainers Drought Mitigation duction of bananas. Live - course in Good Aqua- l During April to June, the stock was up by 8.4 per culture Practices, Good sector was positively impac- cent, largely reflecting an Fishery Vessel Practices ted by a 12.1 per cent 8.8 per cent increase in and Seafood Hazard increase in traditional poultry production and a Analysis Critical Control export crops, due to higher 39.7 per cent increase in Point (HACCP). It benefitted sugar cane and banana egg production. Agriculture Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left), and Jamaica Agri - aquaculture farmers, fishers, production. Coffee pro - l One of the factors contri- cultural Society (JAS) President, Senator Norman Grant, examine processors/exporters and duction increased by 26.8 buting to the sector’s a jackfruit which was on display during the second day of the regulators. per cent, despite millions growth was increased out - Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at the Denbigh being lost by coffee farmers put from the nine agro showground, in May Pen, Clarendon. Arresting Praedial Larceny in bush fires in . parks, which are equipped l The Government spent $7 They include 1,032 farm- pumping station in Claren - l Over 200 ginger farmers with irrigation facilities. As million to employ addi - at December 2015, the hands and 396 farmers. don. This is expected to tional staff in the Praedial benefitted from the distri - re duce electricity cost for bution of fertiliser, fungicide, output from the agro-parks l 100 agro-park farmers Larceny Prevention Co- totalled 611,517 kilo - benefitted from protective irrigation by $6 million per ordination Unit (PLPCU) and weedicide, enabling year. them to cultivate 70 hec- grammes of agricultural gear and on-farm environ - as it intensifies efforts to tares which will yield up to produce, representing a mental management l A US$1.5 million project address agricultural theft. 1.2 million pounds of 73.5 per cent increase, train ing at a cost of $2.2 was launched to assist l The PLPCU reported a 14 ginger. compared with the corre - million. 2,220 small farmers in Jam - per cent decrease in prae - sponding period of 2014. aica and five other Carib- Additionally, 0.4 hectares of l The National Irrigation dial larceny and farm theft One thousand, four hun - Commission (NIC) rehabil - bean countries to diversify cases since the Unit began tissue culture ginger was dred and twenty-eight product offerings, and established to provide itated and commissioned operating in March 2015. (1,428) persons are cur - into service storage tanks improve market linkages farmers with access to dis- rently at the agro-parks. l The Unit has prosecuted ease-free seedlings for in New Forest, Manchester. and profitability. It is being implemented by the 148 offences, which include l Eighteen small farmers Caribbean Farmers Net - larceny of cattle, receiving who cultivate fruits and stolen property, unlawful vegetables on the Braco work (CaFAN) and funded by the European Union’s possession of property, Farms in Trelawny benefit - selling uninspected meat, ted from the installation of Technical Centre for Agri - cultural and Rural Cooper - and killing animals with a drip irrigation system. intent to steal. Of this The Jamaica Social Invest- ation in partnership with the Sandals Foundation. number, 137 convictions ment Fund (JSIF) provided were obtained. funding for the $11.7 mil - Training lion project, which included l 205 stolen animals were the establishment of a l 297 farmers from five recovered and over 7,160 food safety facility to parishes benefitted from pounds of uncertified enable farmers to pack age weather pattern training. meat seized and des- and store their produce. The farmers are now bet - troyed. The Praedial Lar - ter able to interpret and ceny Prevention Unit also l Sugar cane farmers, who understand weather pre - visited 168 farms, con - accessed loans under the dictions and make informed ducted 71 community Cane Expansion Fund, decisions regarding plant - meetings and 83 stake - received relief in their ing and harvesting. The holder meetings. repayment as part of the programme was funded State Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Luther Gov ernment’s drought Support to Export Facilities Buchanan (centre), inspects calves during the 62 nd Annual Gen - through a US$100,000 recovery support. l Two food export entities in eral Meeting of the Cattle Breeders Association in Westmore - grant from the United States Agency for Inter- western Jamaica benefitted land. Others looking on, from left, are: officer at the Bodles Building Capacity from grant assistance Agricultural Research Station in St. Catherine, Owen Prince; l A solar system was com - national Development (USAID). amounting to $2.1 million Director General in the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, Don missioned into service at to undertake improvements McGlashan; Senior Research Director at Bodles, Huntley McKenzie; the National Irrigation Com- l The Jamaica Agricultural and Senior Livestock Research Officer, Juan Williams. mission’s (NIC) Ebony Park Society (JAS) began imple- Cont’d on page 25 P2A4 GE – 24 Achievements 2015 World Leaders Visit

High-level Visits £300 million was granted Regional and International isits including three from to Jamaica and other Engagements G7 countries and other CARICOM countries for Jamaica participated in a num- Vhigh-level representatives, infrastructure projects ber of meetings and international provided significant opportu - over five years. Additionally, engagements: nities and further strength - £30 million was given to ened Jamaica’s relations with improve climate relief l Ministerial Meeting of the the international community. and disaster resilience of Community of Latin The Diaspora Conference also health facilities; and £30 American and Caribbean forged partnerships and had million for economic States (CELAC) and significant outcomes aimed support for private sector China Forum in China; at deepening relations. development and l Third CELAC Summit of improvements to public Heads of State and Gov - l President of the United sector effectiveness. States, Barack Obama, ernment in Costa Rica. visited Jamaica in April. l Prime Minister of Japan, l Conference of CARICOM He held bilateral discus - His Excellency Mr. Shinzo and German Foreign sions with Prime Minister, Abe, visited the island in Ministers in Germany. October. He held talks with the Most Hon. Portia l Seventh Summit of the Simpson Miller, and also Prime Minister the Most Americas in Panama City. met with CARICOM Heads Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, of Government who were on a range of is sues. A l Second European Union here for a Summit. He Memorandum of Under- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. and Community of Latin also held a youth forum standing on Academic A.J. Nicholson, (right), receives Letters of Credence from Canada’s American and Caribbean at the Mona Campus of Cooperation between the High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Sylvain Fabi, shortly States Summit in Brussels. the University of the University of the West after his appointment in 2015. l Third International Con - West Indies where he Indies and Sophia Univer - l Her Royal Highness, the an Air Services Agreement ference for Development announced nearly US$70 sity was also signed. Princess Royal who between Jamaica and held in Addis Ababa in July. million of investments in l President of the Bolivarian toured the Jamaica Def- China. This will create education, training, and l Commonwealth Heads of Republic of Venezuela, ence Force’s Headquarters, new opportunities for Government Meeting in employment programmes His Excellency Nicolas RJR Basic School, and The tourism. for young people through- Malta. Maduro, visited Jamaica Mico University College. st out Latin America and l The People’s Republic l 21 Session of the Confer- in September to attend the l Vice Chairman of the of China handed over a the Caribbean. th ence of the Parties to the 10 Anniversary Summit Standing Committee of Chinese Garden to the UN Framework on Climate l Prime Minister of the of the PetroCaribe Energy the National People’s People of Jamaica in Change (UNFCCC) in Paris. United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Cooperation Agreement. Congress of the People’s August at the Royal Hope David Cameron, visited There were other visits inclu- Republic of China, Mr. Botanical Gardens. Trade in September. He held l Senator the Hon. A. J. ding: Zhang Baowen bilateral talks with Prime l The governments of Jam- Nicholson led Jamaica’s Minister, the Most Hon. l South Africa’s Minister of l Vice Minister of Foreign aica and Brazil signed a delegation to the 10 th World Portia Simpson Miller, International Relations Affairs of Colombia, Mrs. Visa Waiver Agreement in Trade Organization (WTO) and addressed a Joint and Cooperation, the Hon. Patti Londono Jaramillo, May. The agreement came Ministerial Conference Sitting of Parliament. MaiteNkoana-Mashabane who signed a cooperation into effect on June 26, held in Nairobi. agreement to increase and is expected to boost l Jamaica ratified the Trade trade and investment tourism between both Facilitation Agreement between the two countries. countries. (TFA) and transmitted its Technical and Economic Key Appointments Instrument of Acceptance to Geneva in December. Cooperation l Ambassador and Perma - l Minister Nicholson and nent Representative to the The TFA, aimed at expe - Ambassador of the People’s United Nations and its diting the movement, Republic of China, His Specialized Agencies in clearance, and release of Excellency Dong Xiaojun, Geneva, His Excellency goods, was adopted by signed an Economic and Mr. Wayne McCook, the WTO in December Technical Cooperation assumed the role of 2013. The Agreement will agreement on February 20, CARICOM Coordinator in enter into force, once two- valued at 100,000,000 Geneva. thirds of the members have Renminbi Yuan (J$1.8 completed their domestic billion). The funds will be l The following Ambassadors ratification process. were appointed: His used to cover projects to l Jamaica’s profile in the be agreed by both countries. Excellency Mr. Ralph Thomas to the United international sphere was raised. Attorney-at-Law, l The Governments of Jam- States in August; and aica and China signed a Her Excellency Mrs. Fay Margarette Macaulay State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo was elected as Jamaica’s Brown (left), converses with members of the Jamaica Association Memorandum of Under- Pickersgill to the People’s standing (MOU) on June Republic of China in representative on the Inter - for the Resettlement of Returning Residents (JARRR) during the American Commission of launch of the organization’s updated website, at the Jamaica Con - 16 for the commencement November. ference Centre in downtown Kingston. of negotiations to establish Cont’d on page 25 Achievements 2015 PAGE – 25

World Leaders Visit … cont’d from page 24 Human Rights, of the Sixth Biennial Diaspora and the Bustamante areas of agriculture, edu - national Organization for Organisation of American Conference held in June Hospital for Children in cation, community devel - Migration (IOM). The proj - States (OAS) and Pro- Paediatric Oncology. opment, health, immigration ect aims to identify the fessor of Social History in Montego Bay and sports implemented Key outcomes of the Confer - l Hosting of a summer camp location, skills, expertise at the University of the ence: for 375 grade three primary in seven parishes. and interest of Jamaicans West Indies (UWI), Verene l Team Jamaica Bickle, Inc., school students with a in the Diaspora, with the Shepherd, will represent Mapping Jamaica ultimate objective of donated a nuber of Defib- remedial programme in Diaspora Project the country on the United rillators to several schools Maths, in July. matching the skills in the Nations Committee on l More than 2,300 persons Diaspora with gaps that across the island. l The Diaspora Day of the Elimination of Racial and 30 groups have been exist in Jamaica. Discrimination (CERD). l Formation of a partner - Service resulted in Nine - registered by the Inter- ship between the Diaspora teen (19) projects in the

Agriculture Recovers from Drought … cont’d from page 23 to their facilities. These security in vulnerable valued at $18 million have improvements will pre - communities by strength - been granted to students. pare the entities to meet ening coastal protection; the requirements under improve land and water Rural Agricultural the US Food Safety Mod - management; and build Development Authority ern ization Act and other capacity for climate (RADA) international standards, as change adaptation. l Two thousand and seventy- well as provide safe food five farmers in drought- for the local population. Sugar Transformation affected areas benefitted Programme from a $25 million rehabil - l A new offsite fumigation l 17 cane roads totalling itation and mitigation pro - facility was established at 78.37km were completed gramme. This undertaking the Jam Island Processing in the six sugar- dependent Company in Manchester, included the replanting parishes (St. Catherine, coffee in the Blue Mountain to aid in the preparation Clarendon, St. Thomas, and packaging of products Ridge; restoration and Westmoreland, St. Eliza - replanting of banana and for export. The project, beth and Trelawny) at an plantain; and increasing which was undertaken in approximate cost of collaboration with the Min- $700M resilience against dry spells istry of Agriculture, will and fires in critical pro - l 552 residents of sugar- ductive zones by distri- serve to enhance Jam- dependent areas received aica’s export capacity. bution of water tanks and training and certification training in watershed The new facility is over in welding, plumbing, 12,000 square feet and general beauty therapy, management and proper Agriculture Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left), presents Man - land preparation. can accommodate up to and cake baking from the chester farmer, Sylvia Jones (centre), with a commitment letter three 40-foot containers. HEART Trust/NTA at a for the provision of a 650-gallon water tank, highlighted in the l $44 million was spent to cost of over $100M. background, during a handing over ceremony at the Rural Agri - rehabilitate 100.9km of Support to Farmers farm roads. Twenty-nine l $106 million was spent l 55 socio economic proj - cultural Development Authority (RADA) parish office, in Mandeville. ects were completed in Looking on is RADA Chief Executive Officer, Lenworth Fulton. thousand (29,000) per - under the Government of sons in several farm com - Jamaica/Adaptation Fund sugar dependent com - munities at a cost of $623 ficates of possession for of land in Cheesefield, St. munities benefitted under Programme (GOJ/AFP) to lands which they have Catherine, for the cultivation this programme. strengthen the agricultural million. The project involved work carried out at schools been occupying for of cassava. This will sup - sector’s resilience to cli - decades, under the Sugar port Red Stripe’s move to l $56.4 million was spent mate change. Two thou - and health centres; water to provide nine thousand system developments, Company of Jamaica use locally grown cassava sand and seventy-four Holdings Limited Com - as a replacement for seven hundred and thirty- (2,074) farmers were trained and rural electrification, among other activities. munity Regularisation imported barley in the nine (9,739) farmers with in climate-smart tech - Programme. production of beer. seeds and chemicals for nologies and proper land l 44 applications were sub - the production of select husbandry techniques. mitted for the registration Land Leasing Programme Support to Agricultural crops under the Production of small businesses for Additionally, two hundred l Just over 5,180 acres of Schools Incentive Programme. residents of sugar-depen- and twelve (212) on-farm land is being leased l The Government provided dent areas. The grants to l The new parish office of drip irrigation systems under the Agro Parks ini - $12.2 million in grant were established on be issued total $40M. RADA in Trelawny, built at tiative. To date 2,142 funding to the College of a cost of $80 million, was select farms as well as 22 Regularising Land acres have been leased. Agriculture, Science and officially opened in October. hand tractors provided to Ownership The remaining lands are Education (CASE) to ren - farmers groups by Food ovate its Dairy Unit. The l 26 extension officers l 300 families in sugar- at various stages of lease for the Poor. The initiative support includes a donation were trained in green - dependent communities processing. Of note, is an house production tech - aims to protect farmers’ agreement signed with of 25 Jamaica Hope heifers. livelihood; safeguard food in Westmoreland and St. niques. Catherine received certi- Red Stripe for 250 acres In addition, scholarships P2A6 GE – 26 Achievements 2015 Outstanding Achievements in Sports he Government allocated five per cent towards the significant sums to improve cost for their participating Tsports facilities, introduce a member athletes. welfare programme for athletes, l $71 million has been pro - and strengthen the anti-doping vided to offset some of the system. costs to athletes and feder - The country’s athletes continued ations preparing for reg- to excel at the international ional and international level with outstanding perfor- competitions. They will also mances in various sporting be allowed greater access disciplines. to and use of the national sporting facilities in their Upgrading of Facilities preparations. l The G.C. Foster College of l Government is providing a Physical Education and monthl y stipend for 84 Sport now boasts a $171 athletes preparing for the million running track con - 2016 Olympic Games in structed in 2015. The track Rio. $42 million has been is certified by the Inter- allocated to provide sup - national Association of port ranging from $30,000 Athletics Federations (IAAF). to $60,000 per athlete per Minister with responsibility for Sport, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley (3 rd left), cuts the ribbon to open l Stands at the Leila Robinson month under the Athletes’ the upgraded stands at the Leila Robinson Courts at the National Arena in Kingston on February 3. Netball Courts at the Development Fund. Others (front row, from left) are: Chairman, Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Dr. Warren National Arena were Blake; President, Jamaica Netball Association, Marva Bernard; General Secretary, Jamaica Olympic l Telecommunications firms expanded and improved, Flow and LIME provided Association, Christopher Samuda; former Patron of Jamaica Netball Association, Lady Rheima Hall; providing greater comfort sponsorship valued at $28 Chairman Institute of Sports, Don Anderson; Project Engineer, Sports Development Foundation (SDF), for spectators. Work was Terry Montague; General Manager, SDF, Denzil Wilks; and Project Manager, SDF, Christopher Marshall. done at a cost of $13 million towards the devel - million, as part of a wider opment of track and field. l There were also impressive l The Sunshine Girls placed trol procedures. The tests performances from the fourth at the Netball World are being done in collabo - $36 million development Outstanding Performances programme for the facility. National Paralympic Team Cup in Australia; ration with Central Medical l Athletes won 12 medals at at the Para-Pan Games in Laboratories Limited. l Alia Atkinson won a gold l $45 million was allocated the World Championships Canada which equalled its medal in the 50M breast - for upgrading of the elec - in Beijing, China, with an record of five medals com - l 17 doping control officers trical system at the National all-time high of seven stroke at the FINA Swim - and 50 chaperones were prising two Gold, two ming World Cup in Paris, Stadium pool. gold, two silver, and three Silver, and one Bronze trained. France, and earned a silver bronze. This stellar l Partnerships were l A Special Olympics Bas - l Jamaica earned 29 medals medal in the 50M, and ketball Court and sports achievement placed the strengthened with other country second on the at the Special Olympics bronze in the 100M, at the complex, the first of its World Summer Games in anti-doping agencies and medal table. FINA World Champion- local bodies such as the kind in Jamaica, was Los Angeles, California; ships in Russia. opened at the National Pharmaceutical Society of Arena. The project was l The Reggae Boyz placed Jamaica (PSJ) and the funded by Digicel Jamaica second in the CONCACAF Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Foundation. Gold Cup Final; Association (JMDA), to educate athletes. l $25 million was allocated l Jamaica earned six for the installation of an medals – 4 gold, one l JADCO also continued to irrigation system at the silver, and one bronze, at educate athletes through Trelawny Multi-purpose the Commonwealth Youth information posted on its Stadium in Falmouth. This Games in Samoa. website, social media is part of infrastructure pages , through the monthly upgrading works to pre - JADCO ‘JADCO and You’ radio pare the facility to be l The Jamaica Anti-Doping programmes, and the renamed the Usain Bolt Commission (JADCO) quarterly True Spirit Sports Academy. formed a partnership with newsletter and television the World Anti-Doping programmes. Support for Athletes Agency (WADA)-accredited l More than 1,000 Jamaican National de la Recherche Table Tennis athletes across all sports Scientifique (INRS) labora - Championships now have an insurance plan tory in Canada. JADCO l The inaugural staging of to provide group health, as will use INRS’ Athlete the Jamaica Winter Table Tennis Championships, well as life and personal Minister with responsibility for Sport, Hon. Natalie Neita Passport Management accident insurance. In nd Unit for the steroids module held at the Montego Bay Headley (2 left), compete in a "sprint" on the new r unning track Community College, addition to the Govern - at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, at to monitor urine samples ment’s contribution, of athletes. attracted 25 of the best Angels, St. Catherine, following the re-commissioning ceremony players from Europe, the national sporting asso- for the facility. Also participating in the "event", (from left) are: l JADCO began blood testing United States, and the ciations and federations Councillor for the Angels Division, where the College is located, as part of its doping con - Caribbean. have agreed to contribute Pat Harris; and Olympian Sherone Simpson. Achievements 2015 PAGE – 27 More Persons Accessing ICT

ncreasing access to infor - l The Cyber Incident Report l Jamaica continues to mation and communications Team, responsible for realise massive savings Itechnology (ICT); forming coordination and response from the Energy Conser - partnerships for strengthening to cyber-threats, was also vation and Diversification cybersecurity; increasing renew- launched in May. Programme. The cost of able energy solutions; and l An MoU was signed for a electricity has fallen from energising the mining sector, ‘Stop, Think, Connect’ US$0.42 cents per kilo - were some of the achievements Campaign to raise public watt hour (kWh) in 2012 to of the Ministry of Science, awareness about cyber- US$0.26 cents in 2015. Technology, Energy and Mining security. The drop in the base rate last year. of electricity has surpassed Open Data Policy the target set by the Gov - Community Access Points l An Open Data Policy is ernment to achieve a rate l Through the Universal being finalized to guide the of US$0.30 cents per kWh Service Fund (USF), 48 operations of Government in 2016. Community Access Points Ministries, Departments, l A $20 million pilot project (CAPs) were completed at and Agencies in facilitating to outfit the National Indoor a cost of $174 million. Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip improved and more con - Sports Centre with solar There are now 231 CAPs venient public access to panels to generate 100 Paulwell (seated at centre), points to the new computer as he speaks Government data. in operation across the with students of the Bickersteth Primary School during a tour of the megawatts of energy, was island including the fully computer facility. The occasion was the opening of the Bickersteth launched in July. equipped Internet Café Number Portability Computer Skills Training and Homework Centre, located at the l Over 33,000 mobile cus - l American company, New and Information and Com - Bickersteth Church of God of Prophecy. Looking on (seated) is tomers have switched munications Technology Fortress Energy LLC, will Chief Executive Officer of Universal Service Fund, Hugh Cross. service providers, since invest more than $200 (ICT) Centre in Green the Government facilitated (ICT) infrastructure. The million to construct a liq - Pond, St. James, which Tablets in Schools Pilot the introduction of Number uefied natural gas (LNG) was completed at a cost second is a programme Project Portability in June. of technical collaboration terminal in Jamaica. This of $4.7 million. l The pilot of the Tablet in on the implementation of Energy follows an agreement l The computer centre at Schools (TIS) programme between JPSCo and the clean energy activities. l Phase three of the Wigton the New Day Primary and came to a close at the end Wind Farm expansion company for the supply of Junior High School in l A $3 million computer of the 2014/15 academic programme, in Manches - gas to fuel the generation Kingston, was refurbished centre, outfitted with Wi-Fi year, with over 25,000 ter, is almost complete. of electricity, and is the cat- at a cost of $3.7 million. access, was handed over tablets issued to students The US$45 million project alyst for the development of to the Mobile Reserve of and teachers in 38 insti- Jamaica as an energy hub. l A computer lab was estab- is being undertaken by the the Jamaica Constabulary tutions islandwide. lished at the Refuge Temple Spanish firm, Gamesa. l In April the Government Force (JCF). The facility is and the United States Learning Academy in St. Cybersecurity l Work has started on the equipped with 10 comput - signed a Statement of Elizabeth at a cost of $4.4 l In January, the Government construction of a US$89 ers, a printer, a projector Intent outlining areas of million. and a screen, and will be launched a National Cyber- million wind farm at Munro security Strategy to pro - in St. Elizabeth. The 36.3- cooperation on the devel - USF Provides Jamaicans used as a training centre opment and deployment for officers. tect the country’s Inform- megawatt facility will gen - with more ICT Access ation and Communications erate electricity using 11 of energy-related technol- l Through the Universal l The Ministry officially Technology (ICT) sector. Vesta Model V-112 wind ogies. This paved the way Service Fund (USF), 73 opened the Bickersteth turbines. for Jamaica to implement police stations and facilities Computer Skills Training its LNG programme, and across the island are being and Homework Centre in is a major shift by the linked by Wide Area Net - Southern St. James. It Department of Energy of work at a cost of $7 million. was established through the United States govern - The USF also provided the collaborative effort of ment to allow the export connectivity to 60 Ministry the Ministry, the Universal of LNG to Jamaica. of Health facilities. (Move Service Fund (USF), and LIME Foundation at a cost Electricity Act Passed to Health) l The Electricity Act 2015 of $2.6 million. l The Government signed was passed in the Houses two MoUs with the United l The Jamaican Foundation of Parliament in May, to States Government to for Lifelong Learning allow for the provision of a increase access to the (JFLL) received $18.95 modern codified system of Internet in rural parishes million to purchase com - regulating the generation, and implement clean, sus - puters and related equip - transmission, supply, dis - tainable energy initiatives ment and provide Internet tribution and the dispatch in the country. The first connectivity for 14 adult of electricity. education centres. agreement seeks to make State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining, Hon. Rural Electrification use of unused television l Approximately $19 million Julian Robinson (2 nd left); and Jamaica Public Service Company Programme was provided last year to (TV) band spectrum, also (JPS) President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Tomblin (left), l The Government has known as called TV white the Court Management officially open the JPS McGregor Gardens Service Centre in changed the name and spaces (TVWS), to improve Services for technological Kingston. Others, from 2 nd right, are: Vice President for Community mandate of the Rural Elec- the information and com - upgrading and improving Renewal and Energy Solutions at the JPS, Keith Garvey; and Jamaica munications technology efficiency. Social Investment Fund (JSIF) Managing Director, Omar Sweeney. Cont’d on page 28 P2A8 GE – 28 Achievements 2015 Significant Laws Passed in Parliament everal significant pieces 17. The Nuclear Safety and 32. Deoxyribonucleic Acid of legislation were passed radiation Protection Act, (DNA) Evidence Act, 2015 Sin the Houses of Parlia - 2015 33. Representation of the ment during the year under 18. The Electricity Act, 2015 People (Amendment) Act review, to strengthen the Gov- 19. The Revenue Administration 34. Special Economic Zones Act ernment’s efforts in crime (Amendment) Act, 2015 35. Judicature (Resident fighting, facilitate investments 20. The Public Procurement Magistrate’s) (Amendment and job creation, enhance Act, 2015 and Change of Name) Act justice, and entrench the 21. The Fishing Industry 36. Judicature (Supreme process of local governance. (Amendment) Act, 2015 Court) (Amendment) Act Legislation Passed 22. Weights and Measures 37. Firearms (Amendment) Act 1. The Disaster and Pre - (Amendment) Act Tabled Bills paredness Emergency 23. Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 1. Sexual Harassment Act and Management Act, 24. Bank of Jamaica (Amend 2015 ment) Act Members of both Houses of Parliament stand during the cere - Orders, Resolutions, 2. The Urban Renewal (Tax 25. Kingston and St. Andrew monial opening of Parliament. The Governor-General, His Excel - Committee Reports, Relief) (Amendment) Act, Corporation General Electio n lency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivered the 2015/16 Ministerial Statements 2015 (Postponement) Act Throne Speech under the theme: ‘Partnership for Development: 2. Since January 2015, 28 3. The Public Bodies Man- 26. Parish Councils General Inclusive Growth…Expanding Opportunities’. Orders and Resolutions agement and Accountability Election (Postponement) Act have been approved by the 9. The Baptist Mid-Missions 13. The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2015 27. Judicature (Appellate Juris- House of Representatives. in Jamaica (Incorporated) Act, 2015 4. The Financial Administration diction) (Amendment) Act 3. Since January 2015, ten (Change of Name and 14. The Constitution (Amend- and Audit Act 2015 28. Criminal Justice (Adminis committee reports have Amendment) Act, 2015 ment) (Local Government) 5. The Dangerous Drugs tration) (Amendment) Act been adopted, as well as 10. The Revenue Appeals Act, 2015 (Amendment) Act, 2015 29. Office of Utilities Regulation 27 requests for answers 6. The Appropriations Act 2015 Division, Act 2015 15. The Conch (Export Levy) (Amendment) Act 11. The Administrator-General's (Special Provisions) Act, to questions granted. 7. The Minimum Business 30. Road Traffic Act 4. 37 Ministerial statements Tax Act, 2015 (Amendment) Act, 2015 2015 31. Transport Authority 12. The Income Tax (Amend- 16. The Evidence (Amendment) were made between 8. The Quarries Control (Amendment) Act January and December. (Amendment) Act, 2015 ment) Act, 2015 Act, 2015

More Persons Accessing … cont’d from page 27 trification Programme The EECP has been Petroleum Corporation of pumping facilities across quarry management, is (REP) to the National implemented in 40 MDAs Jamaica (PCJ). the island. The VFDs, now in force. Energy Solution Company that now enjoy energy located at sites in St. Limited (NESol), with an savings ranging between l The PCJ also invested Catherine, Clarendon, Liberalisation of Ganja l Under the Dangerous expanded role to achieve eight and 23 per cent. $12 million in upgrading Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth, energy efficiency, including These include: the Office the air-conditioning sys - Drugs (Amendment) Act are expected to efficiently 2015, licences were green energy solutions. of the Prime Minister tem which serves the regulate the utilisation of (OPM); the Jamaica operating theatre suites granted to the University l Under a $4 million project energy in pumping and Information Service (JIS); and the accident and of the West Indies and the executed by NESol, 46 supplying irrigation water University of Technology and the Sugar Industry emergency ward of the to farmers. residents of Douglas Cas - Hospital in to undertake the acquisi - tle in St. Ann now have Authority (SIA) head office. St. Mary. This is expected Mining tion of ganja for research electricity in their homes. The programme involves: purposes. the retrofitting of buildings; to reduce the facility’s l Over 300 persons have Energy Efficiency and the overhauling of air con - electricity usage by 34 been employed since the per cent. resumption of bauxite Hi-Tech Farming Project Conservation Programme ditioning systems; and l A $200 million agreement the installation of solar mining operations at Alpart (EECP) l Fifteen primary and sec - in South East St. Elizabeth. was signed for a hi-tech l The Government has microfilm and heat control ondary schools across The Government has farming project involving realised savings of $80 solutions on roofs. the island were retrofitted some 20 greenhouses at million through the imple - agreed to the export of Petroleum Corporation with solar panels by the bauxite pending the eight sites, which will mentation of the Energy PCJ, as part of a $60 mil - benefit more than 200 Efficiency and Conser- of Jamaica (PCJ) December 2016 reopening lion green energy project. of the alumina refinery at farmers in the parishes of vation Programme (EECP) l An energy-efficient air conditioning system, val - Nain in the parish. Manchester, St. Elizabeth, in 40 Ministries, Depart - l The PCJ invested $22 ued at $8.4 million, was and St. Ann. It is being ments, and Agencies million in the installation l The Quarries Control installed at the maternity (Amendment) Act 2015, funded by the Jamaica (MDAs), and will be exten- of variable frequency Social Investment Fund ding the initiative which ward of the Spanish Town drives (VFDs) at the which includes new provi - General Hospital in St. sions regarding fines and (JSIF) and the Jamaica commenced in 2011. National Irrigation Com - Bauxite Institute (JBI). Catherine. The project mission’s (NIC’s) six offences, quality control, was undertaken by the transfer of licenses, and

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