Full Speed Ahead with JEEP

The Government will be going ahead with its Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), despite the limited funds available to fund the programme.

This was stated by Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Omar Davies, in a statement to the House of Representatives on January 24.

Funding for JEEP is being provided through the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

Dr. Davies informed the Lower House that over US$398 million of the US$400 million allocated to the JDIP had already been used (under the previous Government).

“Although the actual level of funding, which remains uncommitted and thus available for re-allocation, is still to be ascertained, I wish to assure members of this House and the country that JEEP will be implemented and there will be no increase to the existing budget for JDIP,” the Minister said.

He also informed that details of the first phase of the JEEP project using re-allocated funds from the JDIP loan will be announced shortly.

The JEEP project, which was recently announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson, is being used in the short and medium term to stimulate employment in the country.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter