POST CABINET REPORT For Wednesday, October 6, 2021

POST CABINET REPORT For Wednesday, October 6, 2021


Below are the decisions from Cabinet:

1. Development of a National Border Security Policy and Strategy

Cabinet gave approval for the development of a National Border Security Policy and Strategy aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s border and maritime domain capacities through the creation of a strategic, multi-sectoral framework to address security risks within Jamaica. The development of the National Border Security Policy and Strategy will be spearheaded by a Policy Steering Committee that will be constituted for a period of 24 months. 

2. Development of Legislation to Govern the Operations of Communities with Shared Facilities and Expenses Which Are Not Governed by the Registration (Strata Titles) Act

Cabinet gave approval for the drafting of legislation to govern properties where the proprietors own, in common, real estate or any other facilities such as tennis courts, car park, parks, roadways et cetera and therefore have shared responsibilities for maintaining these facilities. Jamaica has a wide cross-section of residential and commercial developments that have shared property that are not covered under the Registration (Strata Titles) Act, because they do not meet the criteria for strata lots, as defined under the Act, in 2009. The Act was amended to address challenges faced by proprietors of properties with common facilities and shared expenses that would have to be addressed through the legislation.  Cabinet also gave approval for the issuing of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

3. Revision of the 2012 National Restorative Justice Policy

Cabinet gave approval for the revision of the 2012 National Restorative Justice Policy with a view to ensure the currency and efficacy of the Policy and to strengthen the legitimacy, reach and overall effectiveness of the National Restorative Justice Programme. Cabinet also gave approval to effect any consequential and/or necessary amendments to The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Restorative Justice) Act, 2016. Restorative Justice is a process whereby all the parties with a stake in a particular offence come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence. In 2012 the Government of Jamaica approved the mainstreaming of restorative justice in response to the increase in crime and violence in the society, and as strategic mechanism to assist in the reduction of backlog cases. 

4. Approval for the Soil Fertility Mapping Project for Sustainable Agriculture in Jamaica of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Cabinet gave approval for the Soil Fertility Mapping Project for Sustainable Agriculture in Jamaica to be included in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). Cabinet also gave approval for the allocation of recurrent expenditure of US five hundred and forty-six thousand, eight hundred and twenty-five dollars and fifty-three cents (US$546,825.53) in the Government of Jamaica fiscal space to finance the Project over a period of four years. The proposed Soil Fertility Mapping Project for Sustainable Agriculture in Jamaica is a partnership between the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and the Kingdom of Morocco. The Project is in keeping with the commitment by both countries to strengthen the bilateral partnership and expand cooperation activities that form part of the 2016 Framework Agreement on Cooperation between the GOJ and the Government of Morocco on “Fertilizers and Soil Fertility”. The main purpose of the Project is to establish a database with updated information regarding the availability of fertile soil throughout the country. 

5. Approval for the Purchase of the Christiana Potato Growers Property in Christiana, Manchester by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)

Cabinet gave approval for the purchase of Christiana Potato Growers property in Christiana, Manchester registered at Volume 1460 Folio 555 by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for a purchase price of seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000.00).    The recommendation for purchase was given based on the strategic importance of the property to the farmers in the environs, especially Irish potato farmers. 

6. Divestment of the Commercial Assets of the Former Cocoa Industry Board (CIB)

Cabinet gave approval for the direct negotiations with the Coconut Industry Board for the sale of the commercial assets of the former Cocoa Industry Board. 

An Enterprise Team will be appointed to guide the project development process for the divestment of the commercial assets. The Enterprise Team will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

7. The Establishment of an Open Data Policy

Cabinet approved the establishment of an Open Data Policy to govern the access, use, reuse, adaptation, and distribution of government data, in digital form, that is made available with the technical and legal characteristics necessary for it to be freely used, reused, and redistributed by anyone, anytime and anywhere.  The Policy would act as a key deliverable to improve efficiency and transparency in the delivery of Government services and to encourage private sector-led innovation. The Policy position is premised on the results of an Open Data Readiness Assessment conducted by the World Bank in 2014. 

8. Privatisation of Greater Bernard Lodge Development Project Lands – Transaction Structure

Cabinet gave approval for the Transaction Strategy and Implementation Phase for the privatisation of Greater Bernard Lodge (GBL) Development Project Lands. The objective of the privatization is to attract private sector investment to build out the Greater Bernard Lodge (GBL) Development. Cabinet gave approval for the allocation of one or two blocks for low income housing.   

9. Proposed Amendments to the Bank of Jamaica Act to Facilitate the Issuance of Central Bank Digital Currency 

Cabinet gave approval to amend the Bank of Jamaica Act to facilitate the issuance of central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the Bank of Jamaica and for the Bank to be the sole authority to issue central bank digital currency. Digital innovation has led to the birth of alternative payment instruments, prompting central banks across the world to embark on exploratory projects to study the potential for issuing a central bank backed digital currency. In Jamaica, the BOJ is driving this process. Cabinet also gave approval for the issuance of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. 

10. Renovation and Upgrading Works at the Clarendon Parish Court – May Pen 

Cabinet gave approval for the project to renovate and upgrade the Clarendon Parish Court in May Pen, Clarendon to be included in the Public Sector Investment Programme and the provision of fiscal space for $40 million to commence its implementation during the 2021/2022 financial year. The Clarendon Parish Court, having been constructed over 50 years ago, has begun to show significant signs of infrastructural degradation.  Therefore, in keeping with its strategic priority to establish a sound court infrastructure that supports effective operations, the Ministry of Justice seeks to undertake renovation and upgrading works at the Clarendon Parish Court in May Pen. 

11. Determination of Exclusive Zones for Integrated Resort Developments (IRDs) in Jamaica 

Cabinet gave approval for the change from the three exclusive zones for Approved Integrated Resort Developments (IRD) approved via Decision No. 3/20 dated January 2020, to five exclusive IRD zones as follows:

  • Hanover and Westmoreland;
  • St. James;
  • Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary, and Portland;
  • St. Thomas, Kingston, and St. Andrew; and 
  • St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth. 

The concept of Integrated Resort Development (IRD) was introduced by the Government of Jamaica in consideration of further expanding the tourism product. These luxury resort developments are required to provide a fresh and interesting alternative within the sector. In light of heightened interest from potential investors seeking to invest in Jamaica, it was recognized that more zones were needed to facilitate investors. 

12. Seeking Approval for the Sale of 150 Residential Serviced Lots En Bloc at Belle Air III (The Savannah, Phase 2) Runaway Bay, St. Ann

Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited, for the en bloc sale of 150 residential serviced lots, registered at Volume 1362, Folios 241, 252 and 253 Belle Air III (the Savannah, sub-component 2) Runaway Bay in St. Ann to ZDA Construction Limited for seven hundred and ten million dollars ($710,000,000.00). 

13. Proposal for Seven Years of Secondary Education in Jamaica 

Cabinet approved the establishment of seven years of secondary education in Jamaica, thus allowing all our students to have access to learning opportunities in Grades 12 and 13 or (Sixth Form). The mainstreaming of a seven-year programme of educational training and experience is expected to meet the needs of students more efficiently and effectively and respond to local and international demands vis-à-vis 21st century skills, competences, and certification. As Jamaica seeks to become more globally competitive, it is imperative, that appropriate investments are made in expanding educational access, quality, and relevance to allow our students to graduate with certification in their respective fields. 

14. Jamaica’s National Risk Assessment (NRA)

Cabinet gave approval for the public dissemination of the National Risk Assessment (NRA) of Jamaica which looks at Jamaica’s anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.   Cabinet noted that the approval and dissemination of the National Risk Assessment (NRA) also serves as a key step in Jamaica’s Action Plan agreed with Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

15. National Population and Sustainable Development Policy 

Cabinet approved the draft National Population and Sustainable Development Policy as a Green Paper for public consultation and for tabling in Parliament. In 1983, Jamaica was among the first developing countries to formulate and adopt an explicit National Population Policy. The Policy and National Programme of Action on Population and Development were revised and adopted in 1995. The Policy has been further revised in 2021 and maintains consistency with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, the Vision 2030 Jamaica, Agenda 2030, and other relevant platforms of action. The revised Policy has been developed to advance the achievements and remedy the unmet targets in the implementation of the 1995 Policy.

16. National Policy for the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes 

Cabinet approved the National Policy for the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes as a White Paper for tabling in the Houses of Parliament. The National Policy promotes the management of wastes which are deemed to be hazardous in character   and advocates for the promulgation of several legal instruments in an effort to remedy some of the issues hindering the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes in Jamaica. 

17. Reports 

Cabinet received and approved the following annual reports and/or financial statements to be tabled in Parliament:

  • Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Kingston Free Zone Company Limited (KFZ) for the financial year 2018/2019
  • Annual Report of the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC) for the financial year 2019/2020
  • Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the General Legal Council (GLC) for the 2020/2021 Financial Year 
  • Annual Report of the National Family Planning Board (NFPB) for the 2019/2020 financial year. 
  • Certified Appropriation Accounts of the Auditor General’s Department (AGD) for the financial years 2015/2016, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. 
  • Annual Report of the National Social Protection Committee (NSPC) for the 2020/2021 financial year (July 2020 to March 2021).
  • Annual Report of the National Water Commission (NWC) for the financial year 2018/2019. 
  • Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC) for the year ending 31 March 2017.

18. Contracts 

    • Cabinet approved the award of a three-year contract to Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited, for the provision of group health insurance for the Bank of Jamaica, for the contract period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024 in the amount of one hundred and ninety-two million, eight hundred and thirty-four thousand, three hundred and sixty dollars ($192,834,360.00), excluding GCT, in the first year. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a contract in the amount of five hundred and forty-seven million, three hundred and sixty-six, two hundred and eleven dollars and forty-six cents ($547,366,211.46) inclusive of GCT to HDB Construction Limited, to construct a forensic pathology autopsy suite at 149 Orange Street in Kingston. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of contract for the supply and delivery of 100 millimetre (mm), 150mm and 600mm nominal diameter ductile iron pipes and associated appurtenances under the Greater Mandeville Water Supply Improvement Project, Phase 1A-2, Kingsland Road to Greenvale Road Transmission Main Replacement in the amounts of seven hundred and seventeen thousand, five hundred and ten dollars and fifty cents (US$717,510.50) and thirty seven million, three hundred and nine thousand, seven hundred and sixty-one dollars and eighty-eight cents (J$37,309,761.88) by the National Water Commission to Deryck A. Gibson Limited. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a contract for road rehabilitation works from Retrieve to Marchmount in the parish of Westmoreland in the amount of seventy-five million, three hundred and ninety-one thousand, and three hundred dollars ($75,391,300.00), by the National Works Agency to Morris Hill Limited. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a contract in the amount of five hundred and eighty-eight thousand and four hundred dollars (US$588,400.00), excluding taxes, by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to Astro Systems Incorporated, for the provision of the design for the data centre at eGov Jamaica Limited and support for the implementation of that design. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a contract in the amount of eight million, four hundred and thirty thousand, six hundred and thirty-one dollars and forty-five cents (US$8,430,631.45), excluding GCT, by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to Cable & Wireless Jamaica Limited, for the provision of computers and network equipment and technological infrastructure and support services for the development of managed network services for 105 health facilities island-wide, for a period of three years. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a contract in the amount of ninety-nine million dollars ($99,000,000.00), by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund to Ashtrom Building Systems Limited to execute the Grange Hill Primary School Expansion and Rehabilitation Project in Westmoreland. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a two-year contract by the Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA) Trust to Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited, for the provision of group health insurance services for the contract period 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2023, with the first year cost in the amount of four hundred and five million, nine hundred and thirty-six thousand, eight hundred and eleven dollars and eighty cents ($405,936,811.80), inclusive of GCT. 
    • Cabinet approved the award of a two-year contract by the National Housing Trust to Guardian Life Jamaica Limited, for the provision of group health insurance services for the contract period 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2023, with the first year cost in the amount of (two hundred and fourteen million, eight hundred and fifty-one thousand and seven hundred and thirty-two dollars ($214,851,732.00), excluding GCT. 

-END-

Contact:

The Honourable Fayval Williams 

Minister of Education, Youth and Information

[email protected]