Public bodies are being reminded that they must carefully justify any decision to invoke emergency procurement procedures, as these rules are not designed for automatic or prolonged use. In a recent interview with JIS News, Chief Public Procurement Policy Officer at the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, Jovell Barrett, explained that emergency procurement is governed by strict conditions that...

The Government has earmarked $225 million in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure to complete the integrated infrastructure project in Anchovy, St. James, and conduct the project close-out audit. The works will be carried out under the Integrated Community Development Project II, which seeks to improve access to basic urban infrastructure and services while contributing to enhanced community safety in selected...

The Government’s plan to strengthen secondary education will be supported by a $647-million investment aimed at transforming teaching, learning, and student support systems in the upcoming fiscal year. These initiatives will be implemented under the Jamaica Education Project (JEP) as outlined in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister...

The Office of Public Procurement Policy is underscoring the responsibility of heads of procuring entities to safeguard public funds and ensure compliance with the law, particularly when emergency procurement measures are invoked. Chief Public Procurement Policy Officer at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Jovell Barrett, underscores that leadership within public bodies entails clear legal and fiduciary obligations,...

The Bank of Jamaica will launch an online financial educational game in April, targeting students in grades four to six at the primary level. “It will blend financial knowledge, academic concepts and problem solving with adventure and make the learning of these financial concepts fun and memorable. The PEP [Primary Exit Profile] syllabus was incorporated in this game,” said Head...

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has launched a televised series titled ‘COMMON CENTS WITH BOJ’, designed to increase financial literacy among Jamaicans. The initiative was unveiled during the Quarterly Monetary Policy Report press conference, held at the BOJ auditorium in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (February 24). Head of the Financial Inclusion Unit, Dr. André Murray, noted that the series will...

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is anticipating full recovery in economic activity after Hurricane Melissa within two to three years. BOJ Governor, Richard Byles, says this is faster than the previous estimate of three to four years. “This improved recovery outlook anticipates a faster rebound in agricultural activity and factors in a faster than initially anticipated recovery in electricity and...