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Efforts to shore up the country’s integrated management of the Yallahs/Hope River watershed management area have been bolstered with the injection of $12.4 million. The undertaking, being implemented by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), aims to reduce the pressure on natural resources in the Yallahs River and Hope River Watershed of the Blue Mountains, by increasing the practice...

Approximately $327.4 million has been set aside in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, to improve the socio-economic conditions of residents in several rural communities. This will be done under the Community Investment Project, which began in April 2009, and is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) with financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Initial targets envisaged for...

Government will invest $231.5 million to expand classroom blocks in four primary and one all-age school in four parishes, this fiscal year. The schools are: Christiana and Mandeville Primary in Manchester; the Discovery Bay and Ocho Rios Primary in St. Ann; Old Harbour Primary in St. Catherine and John Mills Primary and Junior High in Kingston. Works will be carried...

Small farmers and tourism projects in rural Jamaica will receive a boost of $350 million this fiscal year, under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The funds have been set aside in the Government’s proposed budget for 2014/15. The project, which began in January 2010, aims to improve market access for micro and small-scale rural agricultural producers, and tourism projects....

A total of $93 million has been set aside for the continuation of the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) III, in the 2013/14 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, began in May 2012 and is slated to run until...

The Government has set aside $13.4 million to assist with the preparation of its Third National Communication (TNC) and First Biennial Update Report (BUR), to implement obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC). As outlined in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives, the funds will be used to engage a project...

A sum of $173.6 million has been allocated to the Youth Development Programme to help unattached youth with their transition into adulthood and the world of work. The funds have been set aside in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The programme, which falls under the Ministry of Youth and Culture, provides training, on the...

The Government is to spend $273.9 million on its Road Improvement Programme to promote the creation of a self-sustainable system for a safe and reliable road network. This is contained in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, which is to be considered by the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament from April 8 to 10. The project aims to strengthen the core...

The programmes under the Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate Change (Ja REEACH) have been given a $30 million boost this fiscal year. The project seeks to enhance the biodiversity conservation of the Stephney-John’s Vale Forest Reserve, through the planting and establishment of 200 hectares of forested lands within the Rio Bueno Watershed Management Unit (WMU). As contained...

Just over $46 million has been allocated to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to strengthen the operational and financial sustainability of Jamaica’s system of protected areas. As contained in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the project is being jointly funded by the Government of Jamaica and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and is...

For the 2014/15 fiscal year, the government aims to rehabilitate, restore and protect critical sections of the physical infrastructure in Jamaica and reduce the vulnerability and difficulties, which have arisen for the entire Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA). To this end, $883.4 million has been allocated in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure for the Tropical Storm Nicole-KMA Drainage Project. The project...

Government will spend $39.6 million this year to advance the development of a National Identification System (NIDS). Details of this allocation are contained in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project aims to establish a unique National Identification Number (NIN) for all persons living in Jamaica, which will be issued from birth. It will...