POST CABINET REPORT For Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Below are the decisions from Cabinet:
1. Transportation subsidy for the movement of sugar cane from Clarendon, St. Catherine and Trelawny to the Worthy Park Factory for the 2020/21 crop year
Cabinet gave approval for the utilization of existing funds within the Sugar Industry Authority and the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings Limited, to provide transportation and logistics support for the movement of 35,000 tonnes of sugar cane for the 2020/2021 crop year. This will amount to $119 million. The 2020/2021 crop year will be the final year for the provision of the transportation subsidy to assist farmers negatively impacted by the closure of the Monymusk Sugar Factory. The farmers would incur a loss of $210 million if the support is not provided. The funds for the transportation subsidy and logistics support would be reallocated from approximately $177 million previously allotted to the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) and Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings Limited.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Liberia and the Togolese Republic
Cabinet gave approval for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Liberia and the Togolese Republic. Jamaica has consistently sought to deepen relations with countries in Africa, given the shared historical connections. It is important for Jamaica to diversify its bilateral partnerships as a means of broadening the scope of engagement and the pursuit of opportunities for increased trade, investment and political collaboration, as well as technical and economic cooperation. The African states represent a ready pool of countries with which Jamaica can explore such cooperation. The establishment of diplomatic relations with Liberia and Togo is in keeping with the policy objective of Jamaica to develop greater and more meaningful engagement with African countries to provide increased opportunities for economic, technical, and cultural cooperation and the pursuit of trade and commercial benefits.
3. Establishment of diplomatic relations with the Pacific Island States of the Republic of Kiribati the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Independent State of Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu
Cabinet gave approval for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Pacific Island States of the Republic of Kiribati, the republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Independent State of Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu. The establishment of diplomatic relations with these countries will cement Jamaica’s strategic plans to establish a greater presence in and intensify relations with, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific. It will also provide opportunities for the diversification of Jamaica’s bilateral economic, technical and cultural cooperation portfolio given the shared similarities and challenges in population, climate and socio political structures. There is a scope of cooperation in multiple areas, including environment, health, hazard mitigation, disaster resilience, education, agriculture and fisheries. The formalization of relations with these countries will serve to deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation in the political and technical fields.
4. Acquisition of 26 Rose Street Savana-la-mar in the parish of Westmoreland
Cabinet gave approval for the acquisition of 26 Rose Street, Savanna-la-mar in the parish of Westmoreland for the continued use of the Family Court. The property was acquired at a cost of thirty-eight million, five hundred thousand dollars ($38,500,000.00). The Westmoreland Family Court, and the Victim Support Unit are currently located on the leased premises at 26 Rose Street, Savanna-la-Mar. In 2019, the property owners indicated their willingness to sell the property and invited the Ministry of Justice to commission a valuation from the National Land Agency to facilitate negotiations for the final sale price of the premises. The ministry had indicated its interest in acquiring the property for the continued use of the Westmoreland Family Court and Victim Support Unit. The relocation of the Westmoreland Family Court from its current location was not recommended at this time given the cost to establish another court and the inevitable inconvenience to the court staffers and residents of the parish.
5. Reports
Cabinet received and approved the following annual reports and/or financial statements to be tabled in Parliament:
- National Irrigation Commission Limited for 2018
- SCJ Holdings Limited for the periods ended September 2011 and March 2012
- National Family Planning Board (NFPB) 2018/2019
6. Contracts
– Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract to Abbott Rapid Dx International for the procurement of 4,000 Determine HIV test kits for the National HIV/STI programme in the amount of US four hundred and fifteen thousand, five hundred and twenty-seven dollars and thirty-two cents (US$415,527.32).
– Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract for the supply and delivery of one amphibious excavator for the National Irrigation Commission Limited, in the amount of seventy-six million three hundred and eighty four thousand one hundred and eighty seven dollars and ninety cents ($76,384,187.90) inclusive of GCT to IMCA Jamaica Limited.
– Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract to Champion Industrial Equipment and Supplies Limited in the amount of ninety-six million, five hundred and sixteen thousand, two hundred and ten dollars ($96,516,210.00) for the Essex Valley Water Supply and Upgrade project, Phase 4B-new Building Pipeline Distribution System in St. Elizabeth.
– Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract to Bell Safety Limited in the amount of US eight hundred and nine thousand, five hundred and fifty nine dollars and seventy-five cents (US$809,559.75) for the procurement of protective clothing for 355 firefighters of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
-End-
Contact:
The Honourable Fayval Williams
Minister of Education, Youth and Information