Low-Cost Housing Design Competition

Overview

As part of efforts to ensure that all Jamaicans achieve their fullest potential through, inter alia, effective social protection, the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) was implemented in July 2019 by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), to improve the housing condition of the country’s indigent population.  The NSHP aims to provide quality, affordable and sustainable housing and associated services for the indigent and other vulnerable persons currently living in sub-standard conditions and is underpinned by a number of strategic objectives to include: sustainable, low cost housing stock of the highest quality, which adheres to all health, safety and environmental standards.

It is within this context that the MEGJC extends an invitation for eligible individuals to submit low cost, sustainable, climate resilient architectural designs, for the houses to be built under the NSHP.

 

HOW TO APPLY/PARTICIPATE:

• Email your queries and Competition Application Form to lowcosthousingdesign@megjc.gov.jm
• Next Steps: Please read page two (2) of the Competition Document below for additional steps on how to participate in the Competition.

Forms & Supporting Documents

• Low-Cost Housing Design Competition Overview
• Competition Application Form

 

 

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.

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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.