INTRODUCTION In line with the requirements under the Fiscal Responsibility Framework, I tabled the Fiscal Policy Paper (FPP) FY 2018/19 Interim Report in this House of Representatives on September 25, 2018, within the specified six months of the passing of the Appropriation Act for FY 2018/19. Based on the critical nature of some of the additional expenditure requirements outlined in...

Mr. Speaker, as this honourable house is aware, on April 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added, amongst others, seven Russian oligarchs and twelve companies they own or control, to its Designated Nationals List (the OFAC Sanctions). Mr. Oleg Deripaska, the single largest shareholder in UC RUSAL, was named amongst those on...

The Government is giving consideration to convening the National Drought Committee to devise strategies to be employed should the island be forced into a widespread drought situation. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 17). He informed that...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is reporting an increase in the number of foreigners acquiring Jamaican citizenship, which totalled more than 10,000 persons over the last 10 years. Director of Citizenship Services at PICA, Carol Saunders-Hammond, points to an increase in applications, particularly from persons in Cuba, North America and the United Kingdom and, to a lesser extent,...

Mr. Speaker, my task and my honour, today, is to close the Sectoral Debate for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. I think we will agree that the presentations and the discussions have been robust and that our democracy is alive and well. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government, I wish to thank all our parliamentary colleagues for their contributions to this...

Mr. Speaker, this Honourable House will recall that I made a preliminary statement on Petrojam on 26 June, 2018 giving Parliament an account of Cabinet’s actions on Petrojam, including an update on the administrative report we had received from the Permanent Secretary. A Press Release was issued on July 2, 2018 updating the public on the decisions of Cabinet after...

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for another opportunity to address this Honourable House, in the Sectoral Debates. . I give thanks, firstly, to the Almighty, who has begun this work in me. I believe, with all my heart that He will faithfully bring it to completion. God has also blessed me with a loving, supportive family for which I am...