Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Daryl Vaz, is to lead a multi-agency tour of the communities in St. Elizabeth that are affected by the dust coming from the dry Jiquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) Mud Lake at Myersville in the parish.

The tour which will take place next Thursday, February 13, 2020, is also aimed at addressing other environmental issues that the residents may be experiencing as well as land matters

The tour will include representatives of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Member of Parliament for South East St. Elizabeth Frank Witter, Councillors and members of the community organizations as well as JISCO representatives.

Minister Vaz who has responsibility for land, investment, climate change and the environment, said he has taken note of the health and environmental concerns of the residents of Nain and surrounding communities.

The Minister said based on a previous meeting, and in light of the seriousness of the situation, new protocols will have to be established to deal with the dust challenge from the red mud lake.

JISCO/ALPART closed down its production operations on September 27, 2019, for refurbishing which is expected to last two years.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the Government has noted concerns about the possibility of the Blue and John Crow Mountains being in danger of losing their UNESCO World Heritage Site status and will be taking steps to address the issues.

Minister Vaz who was speaking at the launch of the National Tree Planting Initiative and the 17^th staging of National  Tree Planting Day this morning (October 4) at Jamaica House, made reference to a newspaper headline this week asserting that the slash and burn methods being employed by coffee farmers who own or lease lands within the area, are incrementally destroying the designated area.

“This is a delicate matter but one that the Government is taking very seriously and therefore will be giving the matter immediate and urgent attention with a view to arriving at a feasible solution for all stakeholders. As such, I will be convening a meeting in short order with the relevant Government agencies and stakeholders”, Minister Vaz said.

He noted that if the forests are cut down without regard for sustainable forest management, the watersheds will be degraded and the nation’s water supply challenges will worsen in the future. 

“We are barely emerging from one of the worst drought experiences, where even traditionally rainy parishes such as Portland, were affected”, Minister Vaz said, adding that the Government will  be taking proactive steps to protect and preserve the country’s forest cover, through the implementation of projects such as the Support for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Readiness Preparation Project.

The REDD+ Project is, being implemented by the Forestry Department is funded by the Green Climate Fund in the amount of US$613,000.

The launch ceremony for the National Tree Planting Initiative was held under the theme “Three Million Trees in Three Years … Plant a tree today, for a Prosperous Tomorrow”.

Minister Vaz noted that the launch of the Initiative which was announced recently by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, when he delivered Jamaica’s Policy statement at the General Debate at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, is a strong indicator of how seriously the Government is taking the effects of climate change, and how much work it will be undertaking to become climate resilient.

He added that it is only fitting that the launch should fall on the same day as the 17th staging of National Tree Planting Day which is being celebrated this year under the theme, “Plant yuh owna tree, an some fi di res’ a we.  Give back to your community”.

He noted that the National Tree Planting Initiative and the annual celebration of National Tree Planting Day will serve to further increase awareness among all Jamaicans, about the vital role that trees play in our lives. 

“Three million trees in three years is an ambitious, but achievable target.  The trees we plant today, tomorrow, and in coming years, will symbolize a nation that is alive, prosperous and growing, and so I want to urge all Jamaicans to obtain their seedlings from Forestry Department nurseries and select offices across the island”, he added.

“Go out and ‘Plant yuh owna tree, an some fi di res’ a we….Give back to your community’, he stressed, while emphasizing that Jamaicans should immediately get on board and “plant a tree today, for a prosperous tomorrow”.

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Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Hon. Daryl Vaz,  is urging investors to seize opportunities in Jamaica, in light of the country’s increasing economic accomplishments. 

Addressing investors at the Investment Breakfast Meeting held at the Manhattan Offices of the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York on September, 24 2019, the Minister said, “the trajectory for opportunities and Jamaica’s economic performance is a positive one”.

He highlighted that there are current and upcoming investment opportunities waiting to be had in strong performing sectors such as Tourism, Infrastructure and Business Process Outsourcing.

The breakfast meeting formed part of a greater strategic move to engage prospective investors in key markets on how the Government of Jamaica can help them to take advantage of potential investment opportunities.

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Caption: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in discussion with Spanish Ambassador, H.E. Josep Bosch Bessa.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, met recently with Spanish Ambassador, H.E. Josep Bosch Bessa, and members of the TSK Group out of Spain, at Jamaica House.   The discussions were centered on the completion of the US$300 million 190 megawatt combined cycle power plant at Old Harbour Bay, in St. Catherine.

In 2017,  South Jamaica Power Company, a subsidiary of the Jamaica Public Service Company signed an engineering procurement and construction  contract with the TSK Group to undertake the turnkey construction of the plant which will assist in reducing Jamaica’s oil imports.

Construction of the plant is well advanced and should be completed ahead of schedule.