POST CABINET REPORT For July 24, 2019

POST CABINET REPORT For July 24, 2019

Posted on by OPM Communications

Cabinet Decisions

 

  1. Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to develop a fee structure for the compensation of members of the Integrity Commission

Cabinet has given approval for the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to design a fee structure for payment to the members of the Integrity Commission.

The Commission has convened approximately 22 meetings since its establishment on February 23, 2018, and members have not received remuneration for their services since their appointment.

 

  1. Establishment of the Caribbean Regional School of the Arts

Cabinet has given approval for the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to play a leading role in the development of the Caribbean Regional School of the Arts. The Caribbean Regional School of the Arts will be housed at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts beginning in 2020 until a facility is constructed in Montego Bay, St. James.

An implementation committee is to be put in place to advance plans for the establishment of the school.

 

  1. Establishment of University of the West Indies’ Antigua and Barbuda Campus

Cabinet has agreed that Jamaica will not object to the establishment of a University of the West Indies (UWI) Campus in Antigua and Barbuda provided certain conditions are met. Primarily, the GoJ requires an assurance that Antigua and Barbuda is able to cover the costs associated with the establishment and operation of the campus.

 

  1. Closure of the Jamaican Embassy in Kuwait

 

Cabinet has given approval for the closure of the Jamaican Embassy in Kuwait effective June 1, 2019. The decision was taken as the presence of the Jamaican Embassy in Kuwait has not contributed to the objective of the Government of Jamaica to grow its economy and create jobs for Jamaicans. There was a lack of indication of any prospects for deeper bilateral engagement and cooperation. The Government also took into consideration the cost to Jamaica in both financial and human resources to operate the Jamaican Embassy in Kuwait compared to the minimal benefits.

 

  1. Deferred Nomination of Port Royal to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List

Cabinet has given approval for the deferral of the nomination of Port Royal to the UNESCO World Heritage List for one year. This deferment will allow for a submission of a less restrictive nomination. The revised nomination file will be adjusted to refer only to Criterion 4.

  1. Appointment to FLA Review Board

Cabinet has given approval for the reappointment of the Review Board to the Firearm Licensing Authority FLA for a period of 3 years. The Board reviews the decisions taken by the Authority on the request of aggrieved parties. The members are as follows:

  1. The Hon. Mr. Justice Seymour Panton, OJ, CD- Chairman (Retired Supreme Court Judge)
  2. Carolyn Hay (Retired Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions)
  3. Kelso Small (Retired Superintendent of Police)

 

  1. Enterprise Team to oversee the Privatization of the Jamaica Mortgage Bank

Cabinet has given approval for the formation of an Enterprise Team to oversee the privatization of the Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB) and for the Development Bank of Jamaica as to act as Transaction Manager.

The Enterprise Team will lead the privatization process of the JMB and will comprise of a maximum of seven (7) recommended members from the following organizations:

  1. DBJ- Representative from the Board to Chair the Enterprise Team
  2. Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB)- Chairman of the Board
  3. Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
  4. Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
  5. The Office of the Prime Minister
  6. Public Sector Transformation Implementation Unit
  7. Attorney General’s Chambers (Commercial Task Force)

The public will be made aware of the members of the Enterprise Team once Cabinet has approved the members.

CONTRACTS

  1. Award of Contract to Ashtrom Building Systems Limited

Cabinet has given approval for the Award of a Contract by the National Housing Trust to Ashtrom Building Systems Limited for Building and Civil Infrastructure Works at Phase 4 of the Twickenham Park Housing Development in St. Catherine. Under the contract, which is valued at $1,215,906,077.59, Ashtrom will construct 110 two-bedroom single-story duplex units over a 16-month period. The company will also undertake supporting civil infrastructure works to include:

  1. Roadworks
  2. Storm water drainage system
  3. Potable water distribution system
  4. Sewage network

 

  1. Emergency procurement of a Pilot Boat

Cabinet has given approval for the emergency procurement of a pilot boat for service to public and private port facilities in and around the port of Kingston. The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) will procure the fibreglass pilot boat from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem at a cost of US$1,500,000 CIF. The vessel is expected to arrive at the end of August 2019.

Two pilot boats were purchased from the company in 2018; however, one was damaged in an accident in April 2019 and deemed uneconomical to repair by the company. The boat that is being purchased will replace the damaged vessel.

Compulsory pilot service is required by law in the ports of Jamaica whereby marine pilots who are employed to PAJ are responsible for guiding the movement of ships in Jamaican waters.