PM Sees Expanded Role for Army

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will ensure that the capabilities of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) are leveraged to tackle many of the country’s socio-economic challenges.

            He said it is important that the army is not limited to security, but that its role extends to offering training in a range of fields locally and regionally.

            Mr. Holness was speaking to JIS News in an interview during a tour of the JDF’s Technical Training Institute at Up Park Camp on Thursday (May 26), following private meetings with the high-level staff of the force.

            The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Derrick Smith, and Permanent Secretary in OPM, Elaine Foster-Allen. Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson, led the tour.

            They were briefed on the range of projects being undertaken by the JDF’s 1^st Engineer Regiment, under which the training institute falls, by Commanding Officer,

Lt. Col. Martin Rickman.

            The 1^st Engineer Regiment is partnering with the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) on an apprenticeship programme. This has already seen hundreds of youth from inner city communities benefitting from skills training in auto mechanics, furniture making, air condition and refrigeration repairs, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation and masonry.

            Prime Minister Holness was introduced to the officers involved in the training, along with recruits from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Department of Correctional Services, and interns from CSJP.

            As Minister of Defence, Mr. Holness expressed pride in the JDF, which he described as a national asset.

            “It has been an eye-opening tour for me, to get a first-hand view of the capability and the capacity of the military. Jamaica can be very proud of this institution,” he said.

            He said the military also has an “incredible capacity for earning” and is suitably positioned to play an ambassadorial role for Jamaica.

            Minister Smith, for this part, noted that the meetings and tours were enlightening and acknowledged that the JDF continues to display high standards in carrying out its programmes and projects.

            “We hold the JDF in high esteem and I am convinced that (that) is quite appropriate,” he said.

            Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Rickman, said it was an honour for the 1^st Engineer Regiment to host the Prime Minister. “For me to get an opportunity to show him what the engineer regiment does for the JDF and for the nation, it was quite significant,” he said.

            Among the regiment’s responsibilities are: the provision of emergency engineering assistance during natural disasters; maintenance of technical essential services nationally; planning; construction and maintenance of JDF projects and installations; and serving as combat engineering support to JDF units. It also provides engineering assistance and guidance to Government and civil agencies.

            Prime Minister Holness also toured the JDF Coast Guard in Port Royal on Thursday, where he was provided with details on various initiatives, as well as the capabilities and recent accomplishments of the unit. He also visited the Twickenham Park Range in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

            The Prime Minister will be guest of honour and main speaker at the JDF’s Victoria Cross dinner to be held on Saturday (May 28) at Up Park Camp.

            During the latter weeks of May each year, the JDF stages a number of events commemorating the acts of bravery of two outstanding West Indian soldiers of the West Indian Regiment.

            The soldiers made history by being the first non-Europeans to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of Nations.

            A Victoria Cross church service is also to be hosted at the Garrison Church of the Ascension on Sunday (May 29).