More Speeches

Mr. President, Allow me to express my sincere appreciation for this opportunity to engage in discussion on this matter that I believe to be fundamental to the course we chart in our quest for developed nation status by 2030. This is a matter, sir where it is my Hope that we can through this process we can arrive at some...

Jamaica is pleased to join the international community in celebrating United Nations Day 2008. Since its founding sixty-three years ago, the United Nations has consistently demonstrated its central role in the maintenance of international peace and security, in advancing the development agenda to promote social progress and better standards of life, and in promoting and protecting fundamental human rights and...

Today we want to celebrate and recognise the role of our rural women and their contribution to rural development and food security. The celebration of World Rural Women's Day, is essentially to raise the profile of rural women, and to sensitise the public about their largely unrecognised roles and to promote action in their support. This year's theme, Climate Change...

Myself and the thousands of Jamaicans who considered Alton Ellis to be the island's greatest proponent of Rocksteady music are in deep mourning today following his death in England last night. It was in the midst of the final activity of the week-long celebrations of our Beijing Olympic Team that I received the news of Alton's passing. We will be...

The Contractor-General has taken issue publicly with a decision by the Cabinet to exempt in limited, specified transactions and subject to particular conditions, certain public sector entities from government procurement procedures. I wish to outline the considerations that led to this decision and clarify any misunderstanding to which the public may have been subjected. The exemptions relate to five government...

I must join with the rest of Jamaica in expressing shock and outrage at the brutal and calous attacks on our children, some of whom are being targeted in or near our schools. As a society we must take this issues very seriously and move decisively to ensure that those who prey on the innocent have no refuge among us....

Mr. President, I offer you my congratulations on your Presidency. You assume this office at a time when the world faces challenges of crisis proportions. Much will be demanded of your leadership and you can be assured of Jamaica's full support and cooperation. The Global Environment We have convened amidst worrying global developments. The hopes of the new millennium are...

IntroductionMr. Speaker, this Honourable House will recall that following on the passage of Hurricane Dean on 2007 August 19, I met with banana industry stakeholders and developed proposals that took into account both the sustainability of the banana industry and alternate agricultural options, for the use of the Eastern Banana Estate, operated by the Jamaica Producers Group Ltd. Mr. Speaker,...

BACKGROUNDAt a time when the aviation industry is in turmoil, and destinations are faced with flight reductions, Jamaica has entered an agreement with the US legacy carrier American Airlines, to guarantee well over 2,000 additional seats per week to the island. This deal comes ahead of the start of the 2008/2009 winter tourist season and at a time when the...

Significant sections of the island were severely impacted by Tropical Storm Gustav between Thursday and Friday of last week. While Gustav was not at hurricane strength during its passage across Jamaica, its effect was pronounced because it moved so slowly across the island, with extended periods of heavy rainfall resulting in widespread flooding. Total rainfall recorded over the period August...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has tabled a Ministry Paper in the House of Representatives, outlining the facts concerning breaches of the conditions of approval, for the construction of the RIU Hotel at Mahoe Bay in St. James and how these have been dealt with. "Care has been taken by the relevant authorities to ensure that the specifications and restrictions applicable...

'All over the country and in the Diaspora, Jamaicans continue to beam with pride at today's outstanding display of athletic prowess by Veronica Campbell-Brown as she won the gold medal in the women's 200M finals and successfully defended her Olympic title. The fantastic run by Kerron Stewart who took the bronze medal in the 200m finals, must be hailed as...