Ministers Welcome Start of New Parliamentary Year

The Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on Tuesday (February 14) was executed with the traditional pomp and pageantry of pre-COVID years, mixed with the seriousness of hearing how the Government intends to pursue its policies and executive intentions in 2023/24.

Inside Gordon House, Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivered the Throne Speech outlining these plans.

The Speech was delivered under the theme ‘A Stronger Jamaica: Consolidating our Recovery, Reigniting Our Decade of Growth’.

Several Ministers of Government shared their perspectives on the announcements and expectations with JIS News following the proceedings.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., underscored that the agriculture sector has recorded continuous growth over the last year and that for the 2023/24 parliamentary year, “we need to continue to do good work, continue to be focused and make the right decisions… tough decisions… and press forward in the benefit of all Jamaicans”.

He said the record-breaking level of domestic crop production, despite the challenges, is a “representation of the hard work of our farmers and fishers and just the resilience that Jamaica continues to establish, not just here in the region, but globally”.

Minister Charles said the theme of the Speech is one that should reside with all Jamaicans, not just the Government, as due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “everyone is transitioning and everyone in Jamaica is recovering”.

Similarly, State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, welcomed the emphasis placed on recovery in the Speech.

He said the ceremonial opening was “very pivotal to the economic recovery that we have been speaking about”.

“I love the fact that the Governor-General started out strong, indicating, as well, that Jamaica’s economy is even better than pre-COVID levels. The unemployment rate is the lowest in our history,” Mr. Terrelonge pointed out.

He told JIS News that the focus on science and technology within the education sphere “and how this will help to make our young Jamaicans, not only consumers of technology but also producers of technology”, was another high point.

For his part, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, was particularly excited about the planned rollout of the National Identification System (NIDS) this year, which was also outlined by the Governor-General.

Additionally, Mr. Green said he “loved how the Governor-General ended, in terms of inspiring hope for a future that we all want for Jamaica.”

“I think it was an exceptional start to what will be an exceptional year,” he added.

Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives and Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, told JIS News that the Ceremonial Opening “was a very good statement to the nation, in terms of the performance of its Government and the future of this wonderful country”.

Mr. Bartlett pointed out that Jamaica’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has made the country a trailblazer of sorts.

“It is, in fact, a truly strong recovery that Jamaica has had. Our economic development… our industrial programmes have been getting good results. Tourism has grown stronger, and we have also established ourselves as an international reference point for our leadership, resilience and sustainability,” the Minister explained.

Prior to the event, Mr. Bartlett signalled his delight at the return of the full gusto of the ceremonial opening, after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

He told JIS News that, not only has the pomp and pageantry returned but “we revelled in it”.

“I think, even on both sides, [the] procession into the Parliament was very strong and a good look. I think it’s a good start because we’re now preparing for the new Parliament that we’re building, which will be in a new space and a new place,” Mr. Bartlett stated.

He theorised that the new building will facilitate more opportunities for other types of ceremonial activities to commemorate other critical moments in the life of the Parliament.