Greetings and Salutations Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, distinguished Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora… It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude that I rise to address the Parliament in this important Budget Debate. I give thanks to the Almighty God for His favour on Jamaica, and for His guiding...

I am fully aware of the importance to Jamaica and the high interest of Jamaicans in respect of the 360 Megawatt Power Plant Project which is fundamentally significant to reducing the nation’s power cost. The efforts to secure appropriate and affordable energy have been long and contentious at times, we have now however made solid progress and as a nation,...

Acknowledgements Mr. Speaker, on rising I must give thanks to God for sparing us as a nation, and as a Parliament, that we can all gather here once again to discuss the people’s business and recommit ourselves as instruments of His will. Mr. Speaker, you will understand if I thank the delegates, Parliamentary colleagues, Party members, workers, and well-wishers for...

OPENING REMARKS BY DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL CARICOM AMBASSADOR MANORMA SOEKNANDAN, PhD It is an honour and a pleasure for me to welcome you today – both to the Secretariat and to the first Secretariat observance of Girls in ICT day. In observing this day with you – we show continued solidarity with the United Nations and the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU’s)...

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that I express my appreciation to the leader of the Opposition Hon. Andrew Holness and to my colleagues on this side for this privilege. It is of note that this is my 21st year in parliament – always by election, never by appointment. To my constituents who have kept the faith with me through good...

Introduction A British Army officer was assigned the arduous task of visiting a battlefield to check on reports of heavy troop losses. Upon his return, he reported to his superiors: “Gentlemen, I’m afraid the situation is so grave that it is virtually impossible for me to exaggerate…. But I will try.”   Today, in reporting to this Parliament on the...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. Roger Clarke Contribution to the 2014/2015 Budget Debate  Continuing the Growth...Going for Export Mr. Speaker, this Government was elected on the mandate of “people power”. For us, this is not merely a slogan, but a summons to a greater level of accountability. It is within this context, therefore, that I intend to present...