Integrated Rural Development Programme Coming

The Government will be embarking on the implementation of an integrated rural development programme during the new fiscal year that is aimed at modernising communities while improving infrastructure and services.

Greater emphasis will also be placed on social protection, with expansion of the construction of indigent houses.

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Patrick Allen, made the disclosure while delivering the Throne Speech to mark the ceremonial opening of 2022/2023 Parliamentary Session at Gordon House on February 10.

Outlining legislative priorities for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the coming fiscal year, the Governor-General said that these include finalising the Human Services Bill, the National Solid Waste (Amendment) Bill, and Regulations related to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the Building (Enforcement of Notices and Orders) Regulations.

Meanwhile, the Governor-General said that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continues to play a central role in the national coronavirus (COVID-19) response, through its monitoring and assessment of compliance.

He said that the fire service is being equipped to adequately respond to emergencies, noting that the purchase of 30 fire trucks was completed in 2021.

“Jamaica continues to be at the forefront of efforts to promote resilience in the region. In November 2021, we hosted the historic Seventh Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean. This Regional Platform for the first time held a youth forum, which will be a feature of future platforms,” he added.

The Throne Speech outlined the priority programmes and policies to be pursued by the Government in the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1.

It was delivered under the theme ‘Building Our Jamaica: Peace, Opportunity and Prosperity’.