National Spatial Unit for OPM

A national spatial unit will be established within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) by December, Minister without portfolio with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, told Parliament on Wednesday (July 22).
Mr. Vaz said that the new unit will work with all relevant Government agencies to develop various aspects of a National Spatial (land space) Plan.
The Plan is to be undertaken at a cost of US$969,000 (approximately J$86 million). Of this amount, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will provide a grant of US$687,000(approximately J$620 million), while the Government of Jamaica will cover the remaining costs through the provision of administrative and technical support.
“The Planning and Development Division will act as the executing agency, with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) as the implementers,” Mr. Vaz said in his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.
He also noted that it was important that the Government anticipate and plan for the physical and social infrastructural demands that will be associated with the major development projects being contemplated.
Cabinet has approved the Medium Term Socio-Economic Framework for 2009-2012, which outlines its strategies and priorities for the next three years.
The plan also outlined the need for an updated and comprehensive National Spatial Plan, which will provide the basis for the optimal use of land resources, as well as a framework for their management.