Cabinet Approves Several Multimillion-Dollar Contracts

Cabinet has approved the award of several multimillion-dollar contracts to private-sector entities to provide various services for the Government.

Among them is a $117-million contract to Guardian Life Limited to provide group insurance for employees of the National Health Fund (NHF).

Providing the details at Wednesday’s (February 23) virtual post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Robert Morgan, with responsibility for Information, informed that the insurance will comprise health, life, accidental death, dismemberment and disability coverage.

The Minister further informed that Thales Air Systems SAS was also approved for a US$2-million contract to provide preventative maintenance services of air traffic management systems, and Cable and Wireless Jamaica Limited was approved for a contract valued at $34 million to provide closed user group services for the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

In addition, the award of an $81-million contract for a panic alarm system at Garmex Freezone was approved for the Garmex Group, and a $69-million contract for ground maintenance services at Petrojam was also approved.

Turning to other decisions, Minister Morgan informed that Cabinet also approved the new Firearms Act, 2022, which was tabled in Parliament and will now go to a Joint Select Committee for review in short order.

There was also the decision to repeal and replace the Pensions (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act, 2004.

This will ensure that the relevant amendments are made to the Income Tax Act and the Financial Commission Act, Mr. Morgan said.

The Minister further noted that approval was also given for amendments to the National Housing Trust (NHT) Regulations.

“This was done to ensure that the Regulations incorporate policies that were undertaken by the Trust from 2006 to present,” he said.

Additionally, Cabinet also approved amendments to the Insurance Act, an increase in the minimum wage, and the proposed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Education Policy.