Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness says a preliminary assessment of the damage to the roads following the passage of Tropical Storm Raphael could be between $500 million and $1 billion.

“We are not yet in a position to give definitive figures as to the damage assessment and what it will cost. Our figures are preliminary, but we expect them to be in the wide region of between half a billion to a billion dollars”.

The Prime Minister was addressing the Post Cabinet Press Briefing held yesterday (Wednesday, November 6, 2024) at Jamaica House.

Prime Minister Holness noted that Jamaica has a multi-layered disaster risk response mechanism, which has placed the country in a position to fund the repairs.

“We have made budgetary allocations to create buffers, which we have put into a contingency fund. That fund is approximately $5 billion, and we use that to respond to disasters as they occur, so, it is likely that we will be able to fund the damage from this most recent unexpected shock from what we have budgeted”, he noted.

The briefing was also addressed by Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Works, Hon Robert Morgan, who noted that there was significant flooding in several parts of the island.

They include St. Ann, along the White River corridor; Broadgate, Toms River and Junction in St Mary and St. Andrew which he noted experienced considerable challenges.

“We had Mt. Airy, Golden Spring, Chesterfield Drive (which) also had some serious challenges including Stony Hill (and) Nolan Hill. We also had issues in St. Andrew

where the Troja Fording saw some significant inundation, as well as Worthy Park, St Johns, and Bartons in Old Harbour. Big Pond also saw significant flooding where persons were not able to exit the community”, he explained.

The Minister added that there were also issues in Ewarton, and the Bog Walk Gorge, which floods when there are significant rain events, Spanish Town and Sligoville, as well as sections of St. Thomas.

He further noted that 15 roads were totally blocked; 10 were flooded; 2 roads experienced minor road damage and 7 had only single-lane access. Two roads, he added, were totally impassable.

Minister Morgan said the National Works Agency’s (NWA) first objective is to create access when roads are blocked which would give residents and emergency services access to the communities and facilitate the re-opening of schools. The second phase he said, would be the total clearing of roads that have been blocked by landslides.

He noted that the NWA is currently in the field assessing the damage.

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L-R Garfield Young, Professor of Geomatics Education at the University of Technology; Dasmine Kennedy, Assistant Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Youth ;Authrine Scarlett, Chief Technical Director (actg) MEGJC; and Mr. Leonard Francis, Chairman of the Land Information Council of Jamaica (LICH) at the Geography Awareness Month Launch 2024 hosted by the MEGJC under the theme, “AI-Driven Geospatial Insights: Transforming Data into Action”.

MEGJC’s Geography Awareness Month 2024 aims to highlight AI-driven technologies

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) launched Geography Awareness Month (GAM) yesterday (October 30, 2024) in collaboration with the Land Information Council of Jamaica, highlighting AI-driven technologies under the theme AI-Driven Geospatial Insights: Transforming Data into Action.

Acting Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Authrine Scarlett, who represented Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Arlene Williams at the launch, emphasised the importance of AI-driven technologies and highlighted the timeliness of the theme.

“This is a timely and relevant theme, as we recognise how cutting-edge technologies have evolved into advancements such as Artificial Intelligence that reshape how we interact with geospatial data”, she said.

Mrs. Scarlett added that “GAM provides a platform for promoting the use of geospatial technologies in problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making at various levels – from local to global”.

In his keynote address, Professor of Geomatics Education, Garfield Young, highlighted the importance of AI technologies in geography information systems.

“The technology is also being used to build a database of natural disaster vulnerability in our public schools in Jamaica and other public buildings in our country and the Eastern Caribbean. Currently, geospatial technologies are employed in the assessment of flood-prone coastal areas as a critical tool in disaster risk reduction. By coupling AI with GIS, a new frontier in data analysis has been breached, offering unprecedented opportunities for mapping, 3D modeling, and spatial data interpretation”, said Professor Young.

Geography Awareness Month 2024 activities will be held from October 30 – November 20, 2024, and will also include the GIS in Schools Education Programme (GISSEP) Forest Field Trip at the Bogue 2 Forest Reserve in St. Ann; GIS Innovate – Spatial Solutions Summit; and the 22nd National GIS Day Exposition at the UWI Assembly Hall.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Horace Chang, Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, Homer Davis, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Mrs. Arlene Williams, Managing Director, Mr. Stephen Edwards, NROCC among other critical participants toured the Montego Bay Perimeter Road to see the progress.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, yesterday (October 16, 2024), toured the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project to assess the progress of one of the country’s most significant infrastructure developments. The project, valued at US$274 million, is being implemented through a Design-Build Construction Contract between the Government of Jamaica (GOJ), and the China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC). The National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC), an Agency of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), is responsible for the project’s execution.

During the tour, Prime Minister Holness noted the importance of the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project in transforming the transportation landscape of western Jamaica. “This is not just a road project; it’s a vision for a better future. Montego Bay is the hub of tourism and business in the western region, and its infrastructure needs to reflect that growth. By providing an alternative route around the central business district, this road will alleviate traffic congestion, improve mobility, and open up new areas for development,” the Prime Minister stated.

The scope of the project includes the construction of the Montego Bay Bypass, rehabilitation and expansion works on Barnett Street and West Green Avenue, the construction of the Long Hill Bypass, and a comprehensive drainage study for the Montego Bay area. Once completed, the Montego Bay Perimeter Road will significantly reduce the hours spent in traffic, improving the quality of life for residents and commuters.

Prime Minister Holness also highlighted that the project is part of a long-term plan for sustainable development in Montego Bay. “For decades, we have built roads without adequately planning for future growth. Today, we are seeing cities emerge, and this project is critical to addressing the challenges that come with such growth. This road will last us for another 100 years, providing not just immediate relief, but long-term solutions for the people of Montego Bay and St. James.”

The Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project will improve the flow of traffic and enhance the overall road network, while also supporting economic growth by facilitating easier access to commercial areas. “This road is designed to take excess traffic away from the heart of Montego Bay, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and commuters to spend less time on the road. Ultimately, this project will increase Jamaica’s productivity,” Prime Minister Holness added.

He further underscored the government’s commitment to using Jamaican resources for national development. “This project is fully funded by Jamaican taxpayers. Unlike in the past when we depended on international grants, we are now able to use our own resources to build critical infrastructure. This is a sign of the progress we have made in strengthening our economy,” Holness remarked.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the work done so far and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the project is completed on time and within budget. Prime Minister Holness was joined on the tour by Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Horace Chang, Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, Homer Davis, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Mrs. Arlene Williams, Managing Director, Mr. Stephen Edwards, NROCC among other critical participants.

The Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project is scheduled for completion in 2026 and is expected to dramatically enhance the region’s transportation infrastructure, support tourism, and stimulate economic opportunities for local communities.

Under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), more than 300 house owners will move from poverty to prosperity thanks to the strategic intervention by the Prime Minister, Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

“We have over 300 houses that are in varying stages of either completion or construction. So, this is a very successful programme, and because it is targeted, you can see the results. Today is the visualisation, and the actualisation of moving someone from poverty to prosperity”, Prime Minister Holness said.

He engaged in handover ceremonies of five units under the NSHP in Giblatore, Dignum, St. Catherine; New Road, Dressikie, St. Mary; Bonnett District, Benbow, St. Catherine; Berry Hill District, Riversdale, St. Catherine; and Stanberry Grove, Sligoville, St. Catherine yesterday.

“The only reason we are able to do this programme and deliver the 256 units under this programme is that we have been able to make a budgetary allocation. That budgetary allocation comes from taxpayers’ resources, but we can make that budgetary allocation from taxpayers’ resources because the economy has been growing consistently”, he continued.

The Prime Minister said while he understands that many citizens are frustrated by the lengthy process of receiving their share of “prosperity”, the government must adhere to the process while being transparent.

“There are many persons who are looking for their prosperity and get frustrated because they’re not seeing their way through, and it is taking too long. I would say to those persons, keep the faith. The government is working assiduously by putting the programmes in place, but we must comply with the rules and regulations. And we have developed, I think, significant competencies in being able to fulfill the compliance and the regulation requirements”, Prime Minister Holness said.

On the other hand, he said that the Government is “building the actual houses much faster” and that it is the technical process that takes more time.

“We’re building houses now in four or five weeks. But the longer part of the actual project is from the identification of the beneficiary, the verification of the beneficiary, the social surveys, securing the land, the engineering surveys, and then going to procurement, and all of those sometimes can take a year to 18 months, even two years. So, we ask persons who have been approved and who are still waiting to keep their faith, to be patient. The houses will be delivered”, the Prime Minister ended.

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The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) is working to revise the Policy Framework and Procedures Manual for the Privatisation of Government Assets during this financial year, which will be brought to the Cabinet.

Acting Investment, Projects and Implementation Manager of the Economic Policy and Investment Branch, Joanne Felix, made the disclosure on the MEGJC 360 programme.

The Privatisation Policy, as it is commonly called, addresses the transfer of government assets, shares, or operational responsibilities to the private sector. It establishes a four-stage process that must be observed and the institutional framework for privatisation transactions.

The Privatisation Policy is being implemented by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), which is the GoJ’s designated Privatisation Agency.

Meanwhile, Ms. Felix pointed to several achievements of the Economic Policy and Investment Branch, which includes facilitating the revision of the Public/Private Partnership Policy for Jamaica.

“One of the major goals of that revision was to incorporate climate risk assessment as part of the appraisal process for PPPs (Public Private Partnerships) and that’s just one of the many ways that Jamaica is streamlining climate change considerations in its operations”, she noted.

She explained that the Branch also gave oversight to the completion of the first phase of the Garmex Free Zone Redevelopment and Expansion Project on Marcus Garvey Drive, which saw some 126,000 square feet of commercial space being constructed to facilitate manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution for small medium, and large enterprises.

It also initiated the due diligence phase for the 140,000 square foot Boundbrook Urban Center in Port Antonio Portland, for which ground was recently broken, as well as the Morant Bay Urban Center, which is scheduled to be completed shortly.

“The Morant Bay Urban Center is a massive development of over 400,000 square feet, which will see the combination of industrial and commercial space. Similar to the Boundbrook Urban Project,it will facilitate the provision of government services as well as private sector services, so we’re expecting to see that project have a massive impact on the local economy in St. Thomas”, Ms. Felix noted.

The Economic Policy and Investment Branch is mandated to provide guidance and leadership concerning the formulation and amendment of policies and legislation and to monitor all activities associated with the implementation of investment projects.

The Branch has oversight for the Factories Corporation of Jamaica and the Development Bank of Jamaica.

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Prime Minister Holness.

Minister of Works, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on Saturday (August 31, 2024) announced the launch of the REACH Road Rehab Programme, a comprehensive national road rehabilitation initiative valued at $3 billion. This programme is designed to address critical road infrastructure needs across the island, with a specific focus on damage caused by recent weather events, including Hurricane Beryl, as well as the execution of routine road maintenance.

Under the REACH Road Rehab Programme, each of the 63 constituencies will see funds allocated to conduct essential road repairs and maintenance, ensuring that all regions of the country benefit equitably. This initiative is part of the Government’s commitment to improving national infrastructure and enhancing the safety and convenience of our roadways for all Jamaicans.

The programme will be executed in two phases:

– Phase One: September to November 2024
– Phase Two: January to March 2025

During these periods, contractors will be mobilized to repair the most critically damaged roads and conduct necessary maintenance to prevent further deterioration. The National Works Agency will oversee the implementation, ensuring that the highest standards are met and that the work is completed efficiently and within the allocated timeframe.

Prime Minister Holness expressed confidence in the REACH Road Rehab Programme’s potential to significantly improve road conditions across Jamaica and called on all stakeholders, including local government representatives and community members, to cooperate fully with the execution teams to ensure the programme’s success.

“The REACH Road Rehab Programme is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that the people of Jamaica have safe and reliable road infrastructure. By investing in our roadways, we are investing in the future of our country,” Prime Minister Holness stated.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda says our environment is as much who we are as a people and we cannot damage it if we seek the prosperity we all speak about.

Minister Samuda, who was speaking on August 27, 2024, at the launch of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation’s (MEGJC) EcoChampions Recycling Initiative, at the Ministry’s 16a Half Way Tree Road office, pointed to the issue of pollution, and specifically plastic pollution, as one of the challenges to the island’s sustainability.

“It is why this Ministry has been working on several initiatives to reduce pollution, to remove particular items from our waste stream and to work with our colleagues at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development along with their agency, the NSWMA (National Solid Waste Management Authority) to collect the waste we generate”, he stated.

Delving into the country’s history of waste separation, the Minister noted that plastic separation and collection had moved from 7% a few years ago, following the inception of Recycling Partners of Jamaica in 2015, to 40% now being collected, which makes Jamaica a leader in the region, in plastic separation and collection.

However, he added that 40 percent is not good enough and the government is playing a role in ensuring that Jamaica attains the international benchmark of 70% including the separation of waste in Government entities.

“What you’re seeing today is the beginning of a pilot project to separate waste in the Ministry that is charged with Jamaica’s sustainable development.  What we’re saying, in this case, is that we’re not going to wait for the situation to get worse, we are targeting that 70 per cent”, he stated.

Minister Samuda added that the separation of waste is one step in a large suite of measures that the government is taking to address the issue of pollution including the removal of harmful items from the waste stream such as microplastics in personal care products and plastic lunch boxes and recycling.

“We’re going to recycle what we can, at a rate that makes us the envy first, of the region, and then the rest of the world because that is a part of our overall waste management strategy”, the Minister explained.

However, he added that there needs to be an increase in public education on recycling adding that the efforts to fight plastic pollution will be in vain if EcoChampions do not dominate our society.

“We need to tell people the options and remind them that they can carry a reusable water bottle, that they can pack their lunch at home and carry their utensils.  It’s not beyond us as Jamaicans to solve this problem”, the Minister noted.

The MEGJC EcoChampions Recycling Initiative is a pivotal component of the Plastic-Free Jamaica campaign, designed to reinforce Jamaica’s commitment to environmental sustainability. This initiative coincides with the fourth phase of the Jamaican Government’s ban on single-use plastics. The Plastic-Free Jamaica campaign, and its summer segment called Plastic-Free Summer, aim to raise awareness and promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

During the event, the Ministry showcased the documentary “Broken Blue” which highlights the effects of plastic pollution on Jamaica’s coastline and marine life.

The water issues that the residents of Wentworth in St. Mary have faced for several years, will soon be a thing of the past, as the $40 million Wentworth Water Supply Project is almost complete.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, visited the community on August 22, 2024, to get a first-hand look at the pressure testing of the newly constructed pipeline.

“We are very happy to see the work near completion especially for back to school. It will be a lot easier for parents to get their children (ready) early in the morning.  So, it was very important for us to get (the work) done very quickly”, the Minister stated.

Minister Samuda further noted that the water supply system would serve to build resilience in the community and the parish, especially during periods of drought.

“Each year, we know that by February there will be a dry period.   This sort of infrastructure protects and builds resilience in communities and makes it a little easier for them to be able to deal with the drought. We are actively working on two other major projects which will significantly increase the source water for St. Mary on the easternmost end, by way of the Jordan Run Wells, and the other by way of the upgrade of the White River Treatment Plant”, he explained.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, Robert Montague, welcomed the project, noting that it would supplement the water supply in an area that is growing.

“This is indeed a historic day because the community had outgrown the infrastructure.  They had an undersized pipe coming up to serve the community and as people built further down on the hill it took away the pressure to get the water up on the hill.  This investment is now allowing the last point in the community to get water”, he stated.

Work on the project was carried out by the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) and included the construction of a pump house and tank base; installation of duty and standby pumps; and the installation of sump and storage tanks.

The work also comprised the installation of 1500 metres of four-inch and two-inch galvanized iron pumping distribution mains, as well as the installation of 304 metres of four-inch PVC pipelines.

The project will serve approximately 500 people in Wentworth St. Mary.