JEEP to Spend $929 Million on Projects This Year

Under Component Five of the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), a total of $929.95 million has been budgeted to undertake various initiatives across the island.

Making the disclosure during a recent sitting of the House of Representatives, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, said the projects, which are currently being developed, will be undertaken in financial year 2015/16.

The money will be disaggregated as follows: $630 million for Members of Parliament; $70 million for Parish Councils and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation; and $126.62 million for special projects. He further disclosed that the balance of $103.32 million is the contractors’ mark-ups.

“Members of Parliament have already been advised of their $10 million allocation. The parish councils and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation will shortly be advised of their allocation,” he said.

Explaining exactly what are special projects, Dr. Davies said that the JEEP Secretariat would collaborate with respective Members of Parliament to undertake projects deemed important.

“The issue of sidewalks, which accommodate the disabled…is an example. That is not provided for in any other area of government expenditure and that’s one I know the JEEP Secretariat is actively pursuing,” he said.

JEEP is one of the Government’s strategies to address unemployment, particularly among Jamaicans in the lower socio-economic groups, as well as persons with special needs, low-skill levels, and those from underserved communities.