More Speeches

'The allegation by the Leader of the Opposition that the National Housing Trust is being politicized is baseless and provocative. The contract of the Managing Director expired at the end of December. There is no requirement in the contract for it to be automatically renewed. The decision was taken to advertise the post and the period for receipt of applications...

My fellow Jamaicans. This past year was a tough one - tough for many of you, tough for the government, tough for Jamaica. It was a year in which we felt the full-blown effect of the global crisis with the closure of three of our four alumina plants, significant job losses and downturn in the economy. There are signs that...

My Fellow Jamaicans,As we begin yet another New Year, and as we step tentatively; perhaps even haltingly, across the threshold of this calendar demarcation, no doubt, many of us are contemplating what lies in store for us this year. Evidently, for the vast majority of us Jamaicans, the anticipation which traditionally greets the dawning of a New Year has been...

Since the start of the year we have lost over 300 persons as a result of traffic collisions. This is a horrendous loss of human capital and I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to every Jamaican family that lost someone due to traffic collisions since the start of the year. I know your pain...

My fellow Jamaicans: As we approach the end of a year of varying challenges, difficulties and triumphs, it is time once again to celebrate Christmas. We can all agree that we are a blessed people and for that we are thankful. We are thankful that: . We were spared the fury of a Hurricane this past season;. We were able...

My fellow Jamaicans, I address you today with mixed emotions - sensing the need to celebrate the Good News of what this Christmas season means to so many of us, but cognizant of the undue pressure that has been brought to bear on the people of this great country. The Season ought to be one of sharing, caring and the...

"Christmas has come at a time when our country continues to endure the pain and stress that have afflicted the entire world for most of the last two years. It has affected Jamaicans both at home and abroad. Yet, Christmas has such powerful significance that it is able, at least for the moment, to transcend the hardship we are undergoing...

My fellow Jamaicans...The public anger that has arisen since the announcement of new taxes last Thursday is understandable and I sympathize with the Jamaican people. The world-wide recession has hit us badly and I know that many Jamaicans are having it hard. In these difficult times, no one would want to impose additional taxes if there was a way it...

"Following the announcement of the Tax Package in Parliament on Thursday, December 17, I have heard the cry and the appeal of the Jamaican people . It is my intention to re-examine the existing composition of the tax package in order to determine if there are suitable alternatives to finding the $21-billion of revenue required to support the programme negotiated...

Salutations: Colleague Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, the Honourable Lulama Xingwana, Members of the media, Ladies and Gentlemen Good afternoon. Welcome to this media briefing where Minister Xingwana and I will, with your help, update the peoples of Jamaica and South Africa on the agreements we have made to co-operate in the area of...

Christmas is for most Jamaicans a time to take a break from work, for family and friends. In celebrating this holiest of Christian holidays, we should not lose sight of the fact that there are those in the society and amongst our membership who are experiencing difficult times. Help those less fortunate than us especially the families of members who...

Mr. President, It is indeed a humbling experience as I rise to participate in this State of the Nation Debate, particularly at a time when our nation and indeed the world is wrestling with this monster of a recession impacting on the lives of our people, particularly those below the poverty line who now find it increasingly difficult to survive....