The Government is moving forward in transitioning Jamaica to a Republic. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, said that the Constitutional Reform work to facilitate the transition will be assisted by a high-level Constitutional Reform Committee that will play an advisory and oversight role. He was delivering the Throne Speech to open the 2023/24 Parliamentary Year in...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) will introduce a new financing model during the 2023/2024 Financial Year, which will entail partner arrangements with regulated mortgage-lending institutions. This framework is intended to significantly increase the supply of mortgages while at the same time release funds to focus on the development of affordable housing. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen,...

Implementation of the new public-sector compensation system, which commenced in December 2022, will continue until fiscal year 2024/25. The new system aims to reduce and simplify the unwieldly 325 salary scales and 185 allowances and partly represents a continuation of the Government’s public sector transformation programme. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, made the disclosure while delivering...

Legislation is to be brought to Parliament shortly for the implementation of electronic signatures for warrants issued to motorists with outstanding tickets. Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, made the disclosure during a meeting of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday (February 9). He said Minister of Justice, Hon....

The ceremonial opening of Parliament for fiscal year 2023/24 takes place on Tuesday, February 14 at Gordon House, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, will deliver the Throne Speech, in which he will outline the Government’s priorities for the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1. Unlike the openings in 2021 and...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 31) approved a further 60-day extension of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in seven areas across Jamaica. They are Denham Town, West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem, St. James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew, and Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland. According to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, as...

Draft Regulations governing implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) were laid in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 10). The Regulations were tabled by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Floyd Green. The NIDS, when implemented, will provide a safe, convenient and reliable means for persons to prove their identity while aiding in...