St. Thomas Residents Upbeat Following 2023/24 Budget Debate
By: , March 23, 2023
Photo: Michael Sloley
An artist’s impression of what the Morant Bay Urban Centre in St. Thomas is expected to look like, when completed. Construction has commenced on spaces dedicated to accommodating several major anchor clients. Among these are the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, St. Thomas Parish Court, and all other government agencies located in Morant Bay. Several private-sector entities, including banks, business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and quick-service businesses, will also take up space at the facility.The Full Story
Residents in the eastern parish of St. Thomas have voiced their opinions and are upbeat about the 2023/24 Budget Debate, which concluded in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 21).
They identified several topical items, the most popular being the proposed 44 per cent increase in the minimum wage and the waiver of fees for admission to some courses offered through the HEART/NSTA Trust.
Pump attendant, Shakira Ranger, is among the thousands of Jamaicans who will begin to earn $13,000 weekly as of June 1, up from $9,000, when the new minimum wage takes effect.
“I feel great; I feel wonderful. My minimum wage, now, cannot help me. So, I feel really good and I appreciate it,” the 27-year-old says.
Regarding the removal of fees for HEART courses up to the associate degree level, Ms. Ranger points out that, “just yesterday I was saying to my sister that instead of us going to a class, let us just go to HEART and get a skill, because lots of us have subjects and [are] not working; it is better we just get a skill, like hairdressing, to make money in our pocket [just the] same”.
Morant Bay waitress, Paulette Bailey-Brown, is also upbeat about the minimum wage increase.
“To be frank, I think it’s a good move from the Government because, seeing as how things are so expensive these days, living off a minimum wage of $9,000 isn’t enough. So I think $13,000 will be an extra push for low-income families like mine,” she says.
Mrs. Bailey-Brown, who indicates that she is the mother of two school-aged youngsters, points out that in light of rising food costs, “I think with that extra money, I will be better able to send my children to school and buy more stuff to ensure that they eat and have good meals”.
Another notable provision announced during the Budget Debate is the Government’s plans to provide 10,000 polyethylene water tanks (‘black tanks’) to needy households across Jamaica, starting in 2023/24.
Under this programme, a total of 50,000 tanks will be allocated to the society’s most vulnerable over five years, which will be especially handy during periods of drought.
Mrs. Bailey-Brown tells JIS News: “Many times, persons cannot afford to buy a black tank as those tanks are really expensive.”
“For the Government to make a move like that to help low-income families [and] provide tanks for them so they can store water in case of water shortage, is an excellent thing,” she adds.
The 45-year-old is also supportive of the new plans for the HEART/NSTA Trust. “I think it’s good for the young people who may be unemployed; some don’t have enough education or the help to go to college. so opening up HEART is a good move,” she notes.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his contribution to the Debate on March 16, announced that the Government intends to develop the Mahogany Vale Dam in St. Thomas as a national priority. This will guarantee reliable water supply for thousands of residents in the east.
Additionally, Mr. Holness updated the House on the St. Thomas leg of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP), which is nearing completion, and the Morant Bay Urban Centre.
Both projects should serve to significantly improve the parish’s infrastructure and economic advancement.
Labourer, Odane Spencer, 33, says he was ecstatic to hear these announcements in the Prime Minister’s presentation, and is equally upbeat about his parish’s future.
“It’s a good look for St. Thomas, very good look. St. Thomas has been below the radar for some time now and it’s really looking good to see the parish getting the [attention] it needs,” Mr. Spencer tells JIS News.
The Budget Debate was opened on March 7 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, who outlined how the Government’s trillion-dollar expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year will be funded.
Opposition spokesperson on Finance, Julian Robinson, responded in his contribution on Thursday, March 9, while Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, made his presentation on Tuesday, March 14.
Prime Minister Holness, thereafter, made his contribution, highlighting accomplishments and speaking on matters relating to housing, water, the environment, and national security, among other national imperatives.
Dr. Clarke concluded the Debate on Tuesday (March 21).