Big Investment in National Security

Over the next three years the Government will make the largest investment in the National Security apparatus, as it seeks to curtail the country’s crime rate.

“Never before will so much be invested in ensuring our peace and safety. We are not talking millions, but billions,” Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague said.

Speaking in the 2016/17 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 6, the Minister said the investment is necessary as “we want a safer Jamaica, safer communities and safer homes”.

“We know our needs and while our international partners can, have and will assist, as an independent sovereign nation we must lead the way. We must put our money where our mouth is. Crime is our problem. We must begin to take the hard tough choices to deal with it,” he emphasised.

The Minister also commended the Ministries of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries; Tourism; Economic Growth and Job Creation; Transport and Mining, and Local Government for being willing to invest their available resources in the fight against crime.

“I thank them all for their support, the steadfast commitment and foresight. Without security there will be no tourism, no transport, no agriculture, no jobs, no you, no me and no Jamaica,” Mr. Montague said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is putting in place a broad based committee to be chaired by Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Orville Taylor. It will involve civil society, the media, trade unions, academia, and other sector interests.

Mr. Montague said the committee will provide guidance on policy, set standards and evaluation benchmarks and give general guidance on National Security.

“One of their tasks will be to set a timetable on all the recommendations that have been made over the last 20 years, for implementation. The Evaluation Centre in the Ministry is already compiling all the studies,” he informed.