Restructuring For Growth With Equity   SALUTATIONS Madam Speaker, I start my presentation by giving thanks to the Almighty for continuing to bless me with health and strength to carry out my responsibilities in this House. I am forever grateful to the constituents of South East St. Andrew who have sent me here for the third time to continue to...

Preparing Jamaica To Recover Stronger   Salutations & Expressions of Gratitude Mr. Speaker, I begin by thanking Almighty God, from whom all blessings flow. Great is thy faithfulness. Great is thy mercy and thy loving kindness. Madam Speaker, I could not have possibly made it through this year without the support of family, friends and colleagues. Due to the restrictions...

On this International Women’s Day, I draw attention to our mission to achieve gender equality. It has been a long and challenging journey, but I can attest to many successes along the way. Things have changed for women and girls. In so many ways we see the fruit of our collective work to create a nation that values women and...

OPENING REMARKS The 2021/22 fiscal year central government and public body budgets have been formulated around the continuing global and local impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the efforts to counter its spread and restore higher levels of economic activity. The Covid-19 pandemic generated both a health crisis and an economic crisis during the current financial year 2020/21. The pandemic...

Honourable Members, We are here today during an unprecedented time which is emerging as a “new normal” in our consciousness. We have mounted a largely successful and intense programme to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and swiftly adapt to a new way of life. Wearing of masks has evolved from a practice, once essential only for a few, to being universally...

Mr. President, Senators will recall that in this Honourable Chamber a few weeks ago, I made a statement on developments concerning the implementation of the Shiprider Agreement. The Statement was made in light of public interest arising from the case of the Lady Lawla, which was intercepted pursuant to that Agreement. By way of reminder, I informed this Chamber that...

Introduction  Mr. President I rise this morning to update this House, and indeed the nation on where we are, having received the INDECOM Special Investigation Report into the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre less than two weeks ago. Mr. President, I had committed when I became a Minister, to always bring to the attention of the Senate any issues found,...

Madam Speaker, based on the information received from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I wish to report that, as of yesterday, February 8, 2021, Jamaica recorded 17,701 cumulative cases of COVID-19.  359 persons have died due to the pandemic representing a 2% fatality rate currently. I offer my sincere condolences to all who have lost a loved one. We...