Good day my fellow Jamaicans. I greet you well. Labour Day is normally a time when we come together in voluntary work for the betterment of our communities. However, for the second year in a row, the global COVID-19 pandemic has touched almost all aspects our lives. So this Labour Day we are being asked to "Tan a Wi Yard"...

Madam Speaker, The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has provided $720 million as an incentive for Non-PATH students to acquire devices. The programme, known as the Own Your Own Device (OYOD) Incentive Programme is aimed at benefiting 36,000 non-PATH students with a $20,000 voucher towards the purchase of a tablet or laptop. The Ministry of Education, Youth & Information would like...

Madam Speaker, 2020 has been an extraordinary year for Jamaica, and the world. The COVID-19 virus - and its impact globally and on Jamaica - has been life changing. This is a once in a 100 year experience. There was no playbook prescribing a response; we had to adjust and learn as we went along. This public health threat tested...

Acknowledgements Madam Speaker: Let me first of all give honour and glory to Almighty God, the Creator of all things. Great is His faithfulness and  mighty power which has brought us through a challenging year. I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 which states, “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and...

Implementing the national goal of recovering stronger through the institutions of local government Madam Speaker… I am privileged today, to make my fifth contribution to the Sectoral Debate as the Minister responsible for Local Government. I am also pleased to address you in this forum, since your ascension to the Speaker’s Chair last year. That special occasion came after the...

Introductory Remarks "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Madam Speaker, I am honoured and humbled to stand before you at this time as Jamaica's youngest Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. I would like to express my...

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Madam Speaker, It is an honour and a privilege to stand before this Honourable House this afternoon to report to this country, that I love so much, on the performance of my Ministry over the past year, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce; and to outline our programmes for the new financial year. Madam Speaker, I don’t...

Madam Speaker the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the usual patterns of life. The Government continues to innovate policies and programmes to address the issues that have arisen on account of this pandemic. I announced the SERVE Jamaica Programme in my budget presentation which is a $60 billion programme of social and economic initiatives to boost economic activity and support Jamaicans...