$2.09 Billion Budgeted For Public Sector Transformation Implementation Project

The Government has budgeted $2.09 billion to continue the Public Sector Transformation Implementation Project during the upcoming fiscal year.

This sum is contained in the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure, which were tabled in the House of Representatives on February 18.

The project, which runs from January 2018 to January 2024, aims to improve public service delivery by enhancing the quality of transactional services and efficiency in public spending.

Activities undertaken up to December 2020 include: rollout of the MyHR+ human resource platform in 14 of 85 State entities; review of import and export licenses and permits for six border regulatory agencies; and procurement of information and communications technology (ICT) equipment to support the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) digital portal.

Also undertaken was procurement and distribution of 71 desktop and 56 laptop computers to support the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA); and completion of a market compensation survey and development of methodology for compensation review.

Programmed engagements for 2021/22 include: implementation of a new work permit regime at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and a licensing and registration system at the Fisheries Division; continued piloting of shared services; upgrading of the Government’s data centre; and preparing a National ICT Strategy.

An additional $4.48 billion is projected to be spent to over the next two fiscal years to complete the project, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

Funding is being jointly provided by the Government of Jamaica and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).