Gov’t to Define Cockpit Boundary

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz says the Government intends to delineate the boundary of the Cockpit Country.

Mr. Vaz made the disclosure during his Sectoral Presentation in the House of Representatives on June 28.

He said a joint submission with the Ministry of Transport and Mining is to be submitted to Cabinet in short order to enable this.

Mr. Vaz indicated that the boundary delineation has attracted much public attention and the Government plans to complete the process and “lay the issue to rest”.

The Cockpit Country has the highest diversity of plants and animals anywhere in Jamaica. Below its surface are rivers, streams and caves, which provide some of the best spelunking activities in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz indicated that his Ministry in conjunction with the National Environment and Planning Agency will work towards the promulgation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act.

These regulations will govern the preparation of EIAs and the registration of professionals that are engaged to undertake these assessments.

Mr. Vaz also announced that Jamaica will be hosting the United Nations Environment Programme’s subregional office for the Caribbean.

The office will be based at the Seabed Authority Building and will provide technical support to the countries of the Caribbean in addressing their environmental issues as well as the work programme adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly.