$2.7 Billion Earmarked To Procure Border Patrol Vessels And Equipment

The ability of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to monitor and safeguard the country’s borders will be strengthened in the new financial year.

The Government has allocated $2.7 billion in the 2022/23 Estimates of Expenditure to facilitate the procurement of radar, marine offshore patrol vessels, cameras, software, hardware, and other equipment. This will be done under the Purchase and Overhaul of Ships/Coastal Surveillance project.

For this fiscal year, the money will go towards making final contractual payments for one ship, while a deposit will be made on another vessel.

It will also be used to continue the procurement of coastal surveillance equipment required for securing Jamaica’s borders.

Up to December 2021, two marine patrol vessels were procured.

The project, which is being financed from the Consolidated Fund, falls under the Ministry of National Security and is slated to end in March 2023.

The Estimates were tabled in the House of Representatives on February 10 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke.

They will be considered by the Standing Finance Committee of the House beginning March 1.