More Speeches

Salutations: I am most grateful for this opportunity to address your association. Insurers and the health ministry share many interests in common, including a vested interest in preserving the well-being of our clients. We share many similar goals in this regard. I am pleased with your continued support to the health sector over the years through your outreach projects including...

Madame Chairperson Permanent Secretary Mr. Jerome Thomas, Acting UN Resident Coordinator Members of the Diplomatic Corps Distinguished guests Ladies and gentlemen,   It is indeed an honour for me to deliver these remarks on the occasion of the United Nations Day, which was commemorated around the world on 24th October. The commemoration of UN Day this year is particularly significant...

Mr Speaker, The members of this Honourable House are already aware that Hurricane Sandy made landfall at approximately 2pm on Wednesday, 24th October some 5 miles east of Kingston. Central and eastern parishes experienced storm force winds at up to 80 mph. Due to the passage of the hurricane just under 2,000 persons were accommodated in approximately 140 shelters. Most...

Jamaicans and the Culture of Marronage: An Invaluable Inheritance October 27, 2012 SALUTATIONS: Distinguished Colonels from Accompong, Moore Town, Charles Town and Scotts Hall, Conference participants, students and young people, Fellow Maroons from this and other communities, A very good afternoon to you all. Yes; you heard right: I said “fellow Maroons"! This is because it is my firm belief...

My fellow Jamaicans... Hurricane Sandy has come and gone.  The nation must be thankful that once again we have been spared the worst.  I thank the Almighty for his protection of our nation. This morning, I convened a meeting of the National Disaster Executive.  The agencies presented an update on the impact of the storm and gave a preliminary assessment...

A meeting of the National Disaster Committee which comprises all the relevant agencies was convened this afternoon as the nation prepares for the threat posed by Tropical Storm Sandy.   Jamaica is now under a tropical storm warning as Tropical Storm Sandy approaches the island. By later this afternoon into tonight, the country will begin to experience deterioration in the...

It is well known that a negotiating mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Jamaica between September 24 and October 5 this year and, as the Fund indicated then; significant progress was made in those discussions. Mutual understandings were established relating to a growth agenda, structural reforms and a preliminary timetable for implementing structural benchmarks to monitor progress. Still...

Health care has a significant role to play towards the social and economic health and development of our nation. Family planning is essential in contributing to this process. Family planning is one of the most cost effective health interventions that can have a positive effect on the health of women, children, families and communities. This has been an important platform...

The Cabinet yesterday concluded a most fruitful two-day Cabinet Retreat at Jamaica House. The Retreat had two major agenda items. The first major activity of the Retreat was the assessment of the progress of each Ministry and determining whether they had been meeting the commitments made to the Jamaican people that are outlined in the Peoples National Party's Manifesto, the...

Today the 11th of October 2012, the world is called upon to celebrate the first International Day of the Girl Child. The establishment and recognition of this day is more than symbolic. Indeed, it must be understood as a call to action for governments and civil societies to boldly confront the scope and gravity of the continuing high levels of...

Salutations: Chairman Mr. Brian Pengelley – President of the JMA Executives and Members of the JMA Distinguished Guests Ladies and gentlemen   Good Evening. This Awards Banquet is no ordinary gathering. This is a significant moment, not just for the JMA, but for Jamaica as well. There are several reasons why I say this. For one, this is your 65th...

Mr Speaker, I rise to update this Honourable House on matters related to energy, and specifically the matter of LNG. Electricity prices are the most important impediment to economic growth and job creation facing Jamaica today. Mr Speaker, there is no delicate way to repeat this: Jamaica will not move forward with electricity rates of 40 US cents per kilowatt...