STI Policy To Be Tabled In Parliament
By: , February 10, 2022
Photo: Michael Sloley
The Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivers the Throne Speech to mark the ceremonial opening of the 2022/23 Parliamentary Year in the House of Representatives on February 10, under the theme ‘Building Our Jamaica: Peace, Opportunity and Prosperity’.The Full Story
The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, which will propel productivity and improve industry competitiveness to support faster growth, create jobs and improve health, education, security and governance, will be tabled in the new Parliamentary year.
Delivering the 2022 Throne Speech to mark the ceremonial opening of Parliament on February 10, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, said investment in science, technology and innovation is essential for economic development and social progress.
He said with the appointment of the Information Commissioner, the sections of the Data Protection Act relating to the Office of the Information Commissioner were brought into force, signalling that full compliance with the legislation will commence on December 1, 2023.
The Governor-General informed that the operationalisation of the Data Protection Act is critical to the implementation of the National Identification System.
He noted that on December 1, 2021, the Information Commissioner assumed office under the Data Protection Act, 2020. Additionally, he said members of the Data Protection Oversight Committee were appointed for three years with effect from December 1, 2021.
Meanwhile, he said the Government has been expanding its broadband footprint with the intention to connect more than 100 educational institutions to the Government’s Emergency Broadband Network.
“This will facilitate faster Internet access for teachers and students in schools where there is high demand for bandwidth,” he said.
Additionally, the Governor-General said all Parish Courts and Municipal Corporations will be connected to the network via fibre, thereby improving the communication among these entities and other ministries, departments and agencies.
“The (COVID-19) pandemic has made the rollout of national broadband even more urgent and critical,” he said.
The Throne Speech outlined the priority programmes and policies to be pursued by the Government in the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1.
It was delivered under the theme ‘Building Our Jamaica: Peace, Opportunity and Prosperity’.