Poverty Reduction Programme Receives $400 Million

The Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) IV, directed at the attainment of Goals One and Two of Jamaica’s National Development Plan, Vision 2030, has received a further allotment of $400 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project, being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), through funding from the European Union, aims to empower residents of volatile communities to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to the attainment of a secure, cohesive and just Jamaican society.

Several infrastructural projects, as well as human development activities, are slated to be undertaken this year, including: the design and supervision of contracts for 25 basic infrastructure and support service projects; completion of maintenance training and development of maintenance plans for each sub-project; and the engagement of at least 15 communities involved in the PRP programme in capacity building sessions.

Up to December 2015, some 23 infrastructural projects were identified and tender dossiers are being prepared for design and supervision.

The project is slated to run from November 2014 to November 2018.