ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   Mr. Speaker, I am humbled by this opportunity to make yet another contribution to the Sectoral Debate in this Honourable House.   Let me pay homage to the Almighty for keeping me fortified and invigorated as I take on the challenges of public life.  It is His inspiration that keeps me focused as I serve my constituents, and...

INTRODUCTION I welcome this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to participate in another Sectoral Debate. After more than three decades in this Parliament, one would believe that it would be a mere formality speaking in this debate. But, it is such an important annual event, that even a veteran Member like me, still takes pride in participating. However, Mr. Speaker, I am...

The Ministry of Health will be spending some $460 million to undertake work at 12 secondary care facilities across the island during the current fiscal year. The allocation will go towards further expansion of the Linstead Hospital in St. Catherine and the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas, among others. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, made the announcement on...

The Government is a step closer to implementing more stringent regulations to govern the use of the nation’s roads. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, said a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, looking at the new Road Traffic Act, has completed its deliberations. He was making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral...

Thirty-four serviced lots are to be developed in Hatfield, Westmoreland, this year under the Squatter Upgrading Programme. The $15 million project is part of infrastructural work being undertaken by the Government to develop and regularise existing informal settlements. Minister with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, in his Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on April 28,...

Minister with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, says the safety audits to be undertaken on new road projects in the island is to ensure that  the infrastructure being put in place will be beneficial to all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on April 28,...

The Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB) is currently in discussions with other lending institutions for loans of $2 billion to finance its investment programme, as currently it has over $4 billion in applications in the pipeline, including proposals to build low and middle income houses. “In an effort to increase the housing stock, the Jamaica Mortgage Bank projects commitment of approximately...