PM Lauds Digicel for Investments

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has lauded telecommunications provider,  Digicel Jamaica, for its continued investments in the country’s  economic and social development.

In a speech read by Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, today (October 2), at the official unveiling of the ‘Evolution’ monument at the Breezy Castle Round-a-bout in downtown Kingston, Mrs. Simpson Miller said Digicel is a product of Jamaica’s global outlook and its investments constitute a massive vote of confidence in Jamaica and its people.

“The telecommunications environment of today is one that is more robust and which provides real opportunities and benefits for consumers and businesses,” the Prime Minister said.

Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that there are now better call rates, and more opportunities for e-learning, e-services, and e-business in Jamaica, while access to education has been revolutionised.

“There are greater offshore business possibilities and there is the commercial use of telecommunications for the transaction of business and for job creation,” she noted.

The Prime Minister said Digicel’s recent $600 million investment in an underground fibre optic network is a critical infrastructure that will have significant transformative effects on the economic development of Kingston, Montego Bay and Jamaica as a whole.

She added that the investment is in line with Vision 2030, in which information and communication technology (ICT) is identified as a major catalyst for economic development.

Mrs. Simpson Miller also commended the company’s commitment to giving back to the people of Jamaica, through the Digicel Foundation, which she said has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Jamaicans.

“In fact, focusing on the areas of education, community development and special needs, the Digicel Foundation has invested over US$19.5 million, directly impacting over 446,000 beneficiaries through 447 projects across Jamaica,” she said.

The ‘Evolution’ monument was commissioned by the Digicel Foundation, as part of its 10^th anniversary celebrations, as well as its continued efforts to transform and redevelop downtown Kingston.

Creation of the monument also forms part of a larger beautification project being undertaken at the roundabout by the Foundation, in partnership with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), Urban Development Corporation (UDC), and members of the Rae Town, Parade Gardens and Allman Town communities.

The monument, which was created by sculptors, Chung Knight and Raymond Watson, with murals painted by artists from Studio 174, consists of 49 statuettes at its base, which are said to be representative of Jamaica’s past and present.

It also has at the top, two golden central figures rising above in fluid motion, which according to the artists, represent dynamism and hope for the future.