Work On Boundbrook Industrial Estate To Begin In Second Quarter

WRITTEN BY: ROCHELLE WILLIAMS- JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE

Construction of the Boundbrook Industrial Estate in Portland is expected to commence in the second quarter of the 2021/22 financial year.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Everald Warmington,  made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 5.

He said that the works will be conducted in two phases over a 24-month period.

Under the project, the Government plans to utilise lands owned by the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) and the National Insurance Fund (NIF) in Boundbrook, Portland, to facilitate the relocation of 11 government agencies.

“The construction budget is estimated to cost $1 billion. There will be a return on investment through lease/rentals,” Minister Warmington said.

The Boundbrook project is a joint venture between the FCJ and the NIF and will involve the buildout of 100,000 square metres of factory space to house government and private-sector entities.

“A feasibility study has been completed and has indicated that significant value can be created for the people of Port Antonio and the surrounding areas with this development,” Minister Warmington told the House.

A contract was signed in February 2021 with GW Associates Consultants to commence detailed development drawings in alignment with the conceptual drawings that were previously approved.

Meanwhile, Mr. Warmington told the House that detailed designs for the development of the Naggo Head Technical Park in Portmore, St. Catherine, and the redevelopment of the Hayes Free Zone in Clarendon will be finalised during the fiscal year.

AQUAPONICS is gaining traction at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), where students are exposed to the farming method that combines aquaculture, or fish farming, with hydroponics, or crop production without soil, to boost yields.

CASE initially received a grant from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, through the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism (AP &FM) for the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience, to build the aquaponics system. The aquaponics farm now enables practical experience for students studying agriculture at the institution ,while also boosting income earning for the institution.

Markland Murphy, director of projects and research coordinator at CASE, explained that the institution had maximised the use of the space for the aquaponics farm by adding pipes to assist with growing more produce, in addition to the regular farm beds.

The technique seems to be working and Murphy is anticipating being able to supply 7,000 pounds of lettuce every four weeks, if things go according to plan. The CASE team is already talking with several potential buyers for the produce.

Aquaponics, which is seen as a climate-smart agricultural practice, has been known to boosts crop production up to 10 times higher than traditionally cultivated plots of equivalent size. It uses 85 per cent to 90 per cent less water and no chemical fertilisers or pesticides. It is low-energy consumption, providing year-round crop production and uses much less labour than traditional farming.

The aquaponics system is a part of the activities undertaken under the AP&FM to help to reduce Jamaica’s vulnerability to climate change. The AP&FM receives funding from the Inter-American Development Bank through the Climate Investment Funds.

Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation,  was paid a courtesy call by the new High Commissioner of India to Jamaica, H.E. Shri Mazakui.  The meeting took place on Tuesday December 29, 2020 at the Ministry’s offices at 25 Dominica Drive. 

Minister Hill, who had served both as Non-Resident High Commissioner for Jamaica to India, as well as the island’s Special Investment Ambassador to India, welcomed High Commissioner Mazakui to Jamaica.  The Minister noted the special relationship that the two countries have shared throughout the years.  After a wide-ranging discussion a broad agenda was outlined on which Jamaica and India can expand their commercial and other cooperation.

High Commissioner Shri Mazakui presented Minister Hill with a book titled “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”, an autobiography by the late Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Ghandi).  

L- R. Mr. Michael Shaw, Chairman of the National Water Commission’s Board; Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for the Water Portfolio; and Mr. Mark Barnett, President of the National Water Commission

Senator the Hon.  Aubyn Hill, Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, welcomed the new Board of Commissioners of the National Water Commission during a meeting at the Courtleigh Hotel on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

Minister Hill charged the Board to examine all options, especially corporatization and privatization of the National Water Commission to bring in large and needed private investment, in order to provide sustainable and efficient potable water and sewerage services to Jamaicans.

The new Commissioners are:

Mr. Michael Shaw – Chairman

Mr. Steven Fong Yee – Deputy Chairman

Mr. Baron Stewart

Mr. Gavin Jordan

Mr. Stephen Edwards

Mr. Tyrone Robinson

Ms. Adonia Chin

Ms. Marion Sophia Brown

Ms. Opal Whyte

The appointment of the Board of Commissioners became effective on October 12, 2020.  The Board will serve for a period of three years. 

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Everald Warmington, says procurement for the repair of several roadways in St. Catherine North East will commence in two weeks.

• 

• 

Mr. Warmington told JIS News that much of the road infrastructure in the constituency “needs overhauling,” but the breakaways will be given immediate attention.

The Minister said he has asked the NWA to start the costing process for the repairs.

He reported that since the heavy rains have subsided, road patching has resumed across the island and will be intensified.

Meanwhile, Manager of Communications and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, said the agency has reopened most of the 260 blocked roads across the island.

According to Mr. Shaw, the NWA is working overtime to clear remaining roads that have been made “impassable” due to the recent heavy rains.

He is imploring residents to be cautious on the roads that have been damaged.

Communities visited on the tour included Grateful Hill, Bamboo Ridge, Williamsfield, Riversdale and Lucky Valley.

Photo and story credits:  The Jamaica Information Service

A recording and essay submitted by Mr. Omar Chedda, Director of the Investment Branch at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, were highlighted features of this year’s Global Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Finance Forum held from October 26-28, 2020.

Mr. Chedda’s recording “Look into the Crystal Ball: The State of SME Finance 2030”, was aired during the virtual forum on Wednesday October 28, 2020, while his essay entitled “Global Online Marketplace Platforms” was selected to be included in an e-publication that was launched during the three day forum.

The annual conference, is the largest, and most geographically diverse conference on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) financing hosted globally. 

The event attracts leaders  from commercial banks, development finance institutions, fintech companies, as well as regulators to discuss the state of SMR financing.  It also provides an opportunity for participants to network, share knowledge and best practices and forge meaningful partnerships aimed at promoting the growth of SME’s.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held virtually this year and provided for one-on-one networking, a virtual marketplace, exhibition booths, breakout sessions, and panel discussions, as well as the  recognition of the 2020 Global SME Finance Awards winners.   More than 2500 participants from 149 countries and more than 950 institutions joined this year’s virtual forum

THE ADAPTATION Programme and Financing Mechanism (AP&FM) of the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) was awarded third place for ‘exceptional execution – excellent project planning and delivery’ in the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB’s) Project Execution Challenge.

“Winning this award was made possible by the commitment, dedication and hard work of the members of the project executing unit, comprising Kay de Ann Taffe Dixon, Angella Lalor, Mauro Lewis, Indi Mclymont-Lafayette, and Bridgette Barrett,” noted Project Manager Dr Winsome Townsend, in expressing her delight for the recognition.

She was speaking after the award presentation during a virtual ceremony last month.

The IDB has 56 funded projects in Jamaica and in 2019 issued the challenge to determine the best project execution unit in the country. It used two new reporting tools – the Schedule Performance Index and the Cost Performance Index – to measure the effectiveness of project implementation. It also used accumulated disbursements and value of good practice as two other criteria for performance.

As part of Jamaica’s PPCR, the AP&FM works to help the nation adjust more easily to climate change. It supports the integration of climate-change issues into development planning by government agencies and the implementation of climate-change adaptation measures across Jamaica. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and is funded by the Climate Investment Fund through the IDB and the Government of Jamaica.

To date, the achievements of the AP&FM-PPCR include:

• Reforestation of 15 hectares of forestlands in the Pennants community in Upper Rio Minho Watershed (URMW) Area, Clarendon;

• Fifty acres of agro-forestry established on 60 farms in upper Clarendon;

• Construction of 1,517 of 1,800 innovative check dams called MICRO (Multiple Interceptions for Climate Resilience Optimisation) check dams;

• Five Aquaponics farming systems established in five communities (Aenon Town, Alston, James Hill, John’s Hall and Ritchies) in northern Clarendon;

• Vulnerability assessment of the entire Rio Minho Watershed Area;

• Preparation of a climate adaptation plan for the entire Rio Minho Watershed Area;

• Vulnerability assessments of 15 priority communities in the URMW; and

• Preparation of climate change adaptation/disaster risk-reduction plans for 15 priority communities in the URMW.

 

Other improvements include:

• The US$4.7-million worth of grant funding provided for over 135 grants distributed to non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations;

• Over US$2.5-million worth of loan financing provided for 259 loans at 4% interest rate granted to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises;

• Sixty climate change focal points from ministries and the municipal corporations trained to mainstream climate change into development planning;

• Implementation of a climate change awareness programme for policymakers and government ministries, which saw 229 decision takers and policymakers trained in 14 workshops.

The project has also see the preparation of seven technical papers of relevance to spatial planning in Jamaica; and the preparation of a national spatial plan that incorporates climate change considerations.

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation this morning (Tuesday, Sept 22), hosted a virtual information session on water and health in keeping with the measures outlined in the National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan 2019. L-R: Mr Michael Williams, Environmental Health Specialist, Ministry of Health and Wellness; Ms Talia Gibson, Acting Director, Water Policy and Monitoring Branch, MEGJC and; Mr Anthony McKenzie, Director, Environmental Management and Conservation, NEPA.

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation this morning (Tuesday, September 22) outlined the Standards for Access to Potable Water Supply and Improved Sanitation as stated in the National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan 2019 (NWSP).   The measure was outlined during a virtual information session held under the theme, Water and Health.   Acting Senior Director, Water Policy and Monitoring Branch within the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), Ms Talia Gibson says the “Policy specifically speaks to Standards for Access to Potable Water Supply and Improved Sanitation and seeks to achieve several service targets”.   She explained all households will have access to potable water supply by 2030. This means that the water supply will be: Safe—Potable water will conform to standards set by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and the World Health Organization (WHO); Convenient—Water supply will be delivered to the home, or as close as possible. Water supply should be no more than 500 metres from the home; Of sufficient quantity—Each person will have access to at least 50 litres per day; Reliable— Water supply will be available 24 hours per day, or otherwise on a predictable schedule; and Affordable— Pricing for water will continue to be arrived at by consultation with stakeholders. No one will be denied access to potable water because of an inability to pay. Ms Gibson added that for sanitation “cities and major towns will have sewerage services provided by a utility company. Where sewerage service is not economically feasible, all new developments will have access to safe and environmentally friendly sanitation solutions, which will preserve the privacy and dignity of users. Standards for non-sewerage areas will be established and enforced by the National Building Code, MOHW Regulations, stipulations by the Municipal Corporations and Local Authorities, and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) guidelines”.   Presentations were made by Mr Michael Williams, Environmental Health Specialist, Ministry of Health and Wellness and Mr Anthony McKenzie, Director, Environmental Management and Conservation, NEPA.   The National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan 2019 was tabled in the Houses of Parliament in July 2019. The Policy aims to guide the provision of universal access to potable water and adequate sanitation by 2030.                                                               –30–

WITH THE official opening of office space for the White River Fish Sanctuary in St Ann and now three years in operation, the stage seems set for its enhanced contribution to sustainable fishing and ecotourism.

“What today’s launch of the White River Fish Sanctuary represents is sustainable tourism, where we take a holistic approach to the sector’s current and future economic, social and environmental impacts,” noted Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett, speaking at the opening on August 13.

“In taking this holistic approach, we are also addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and communities, and building meaningful public-private sector partnerships,” he added.

“Though I am no marine biologist, the data also highlight that with the establishment of the fish sanctuary, we will see an increase in the population of fish in our waters that will be beneficial for livelihoods and help restore our reefs,” he said further.

The operation of the fish sanctuary has been made possible, in part, through a partnership, valued at some J$15 million, between the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the White River Marine Association (WRMA).

Among other things, the partnership has seen the construction of the new office, together with the employment of fishermen as sanctuary wardens, and the purchase of enforcement and other equipment.

“The main objective of the wardens is to stop all fishing or the taking of any live organisms from within the sanctuary. With this new source of alternative income for the fishermen, we are excited to be supporting the livelihoods of many members of the community until sustainable fishing returns,” noted Kyle Mais, director of the WRMA.

The sanctuary also employs an accounting administrator, a manager, and a marine biologist.

Meanwhile, operations of the sanctuary have also seen five coral nurseries set up since June 2017 to grow 1,400 pieces of staghorn and elkhorn corals as part of a five-phase, five-year programme funded by a grant from the Special Climate Change Adaptation Fund.

Already, more than 700 pieces of coral have been planted, and the nurseries reseeded with the corals which show resilience to the bleaching events.

“These direct and indirect benefits of launching the sanctuary also speak to the rich value chain that tourism offers when linkages are strengthened. What this means is that many people along the value chain will benefit from this project,” the minister said.

“From our reports, there has also been an increase in the number of glass-bottom boats seen within the sanctuary that use the coral nursery as an attraction and also to educate tourists. As is being displayed through this project, tourism can be linked with national poverty-reduction strategies by providing income through job creation and facilitating entrepreneurial development at the local and community levels,” Bartlett said.

“We can also attest to the fact that greater engagement between tourism and local communities can also help protect or revive our natural assets and intangible cultural heritage. As this sanctuary grows and flourishes, so will the community and, ultimately, tourism activities surrounding it,” he added.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Mais has urged collaboration between existing and new stakeholders for the continued work of the sanctuary, particularly given the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Organisations like the White River Fish Sanctuary are rapidly facing a critical threat from this pandemic, due to funding constraints which risk forcing us to downsize and lay off staff at the precise moment when our work has become vitally important,” he said.

“Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic requires even greater cooperation among government agencies, local and international organisations and the business community, which is at the centre of the White River Fish Sanctuary fundraising mission for public-private cooperation,” he added.