Mr. Speaker, my contribution to this Sectoral Debate seeks to inform this Honourable House of the significant gains that have been made in the Public Sector during the 2013-2014 fiscal year, as well as the remaining challenges going forward into 2014-2015. My presentation will focus on the Government’s efforts to meet its commitments to modernise the public sector, which itself...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to bring to the attention of this honourable House and  the  public,  a  serious  situation  with  regard  to  our  water  supplies. The fact is that inflows into a number of water supply systems are now well  below  normal,  resulting  in  many  sections  of  the  country  being faced with water supply challenges. The reason for this Mr. Speaker, is that the...

Address by Minister Hanna at UN Cross Regional Meeting for Advancing the Protection of Children from Violence Introduction At this moment, in every country, children are enduring the horrific impact of violence.  Children who live in upscale neighbourhoods in North American or European countries suffer just as much as those children who live in their inner-cities.  Equally, they suffer just...

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), made the following statement today in Kingston:   "It has been a pleasure to visit Jamaica, which is also my first official visit to the Caribbean. I have had the privilege to meet the Most Hon. Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, Hon. Minister Peter Phillips and Bank of Jamaica Governor...

It is a great pleasure for me to be here. I would like to thank the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, the Minister of Finance and Planning, the Honourable Peter Phillips, and other key members of the Cabinet for our frank exchange of views today. Jamaica’s economic reform programme, supported by the IMF, with a 4-year, US$930...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Portia Simpson Miller says stimulating growth and employment is the highest priority of the Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at this time. In a statement following a meeting with the visiting IMF Managing Director, Ms Christine Lagarde, at Jamaica House on Friday, June 27, the Prime Minister said the visit, the first by an...

Mr. Speaker this afternoon before I commence my contribution to this year’s sectoral debate I wish to give honour to God for His Grace in allowing us to meet in this Honourable House at this time.  Whenever we take our seats as members of Parliament we really are standing on the shoulders of the Jamaican people who elected us and...

Mr. Speaker, the portfolio of the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change is massive, and while in his presentation, the Honourable Minister spoke extensively of the achievements and projects of the Ministry, we still have much to account for. Today I will cover those areas that the Honourable Minister did not cover, notably the Environment, Planning and Development...