Jamaica is pleased to join the international community in celebrating 18th July as Nelson Mandela International Day. Although this year’s commemoration takes place in an environment where our health and economies are threatened by a global pandemic, we heed as always the call to action of the spirit of Mandela. The covid19 pandemic also having unmasked grave inequalities and systemic...

Mr. Speaker, I begin my presentation this year with thanksgiving. We have much for which to give God thanks. The almighty has been faithful to us in good times and in these challenging times. Let us give thanks for the strong, steady, inspirational leadership of our Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, as he leads our nation in the...

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to give an update on the initiatives that have been undertaken by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and their partner Agencies to mitigate the current and impending drought conditions affecting the country. Mr. Speaker, the drought mitigation response is contextualized by the National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan (2019)...

Mr. Speaker… In my last Statement to this House on July 1, I indicated that discussions were being held with stakeholders in the entertainment sector, to look at the safest ways to commence the resumption of activities. Events, and the use of venues such as sports bars and other places of amusement have been prohibited by Order since March. The...

1. Mr Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Justice has been implementing the National Child Diversion Programme in furtherance of the Child Diversion Act (the Act), which was enacted in 2018 and came into effect in 2019. 2. Mr Speaker, “Child Diversion” is the process of implementing measures for dealing with children, alleged as, accused of,...

Mr. Speaker, the last six months have seen a major transformation in the world. It is a transformation so dramatic that even now, countries are struggling to define what the new normal will look like, as they adjust to the changes brought on by COVID-19. To define that new normal, we must answer the following questions: - ‘What is our...

Theme: A Road Map to Sustainable Agricultural Production & Food Security INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Mr Speaker, I am very pleased this afternoon to address this Honourable House on the subject that is nearest and dearest to my heart – Agriculture. Mr Speaker, I wish to immediately reiterate my own commitment as well as the commitment of the Government to sustainably transform...