Poverty Reduction Programme Gets $464 Million

A sum of $464 million has been allotted for this year’s continuation of projects under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) III.

Details of the project are outlined in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project, which is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with funding from the European Union (EU), began in May 2012 and is slated to run until May 2018.

It aims to empower residents in volatile communities to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to the attainment of a secure and cohesive Jamaican society.

Of the sum set aside, $181.86 million will go towards the rehabilitation of 12 schools; another $94.75 million will be used for the repair of 11 roads; and $30.90 million has been set aside to construct two community infrastructures.

In addition, $154.49 million of the amount will be spent on social development activities, which include training, vocational scholarships, internships, behaviour modification workshops and an audit.

Some of the physical achievements under the programme to date include: the awarding of 28 scholarships – six vocational and 22 tertiary; the placement of 142 interns through the internship programme; and the implementation of eight Grants for Low Amounts (GOLAs) sub-projects.

Additionally, 25 sub-projects were completed; an additional 18 sub-projects were selected for implementation; three schools were in implementation stage – one almost complete, another is 60 per cent complete and the other is 25 per cent complete.