Thread by @AndrewHolnessJM

GG: Over the past three years, there has been great hope across the country and action towards prosperity. This is creating on the horizon a new Jamaica of which we all can be proud. #NewJamaica #Thronespeech

Although for some it was viewed as a mere ritual, the Throne Speech plays an important role in outlining the priorities of the govt for the new financial year, bringing together all arms of the state in partnership towards building the new and prosperous Jamaica.

These challenges must focus our minds & galvanise our collective efforts towards effective solutions that can bring forward the new Jamaica we all seek...

...This must lead to sobering thoughts, concrete actions and redoubling of our individual and collective efforts to build partnerships towards a prosperous Jamaica. We need to get it right to build our great nation, our new Jamaica. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: Inefficiencies in the procurement process across Government must be addressed. A comprehensive public procurement training certification programme and framework geared towards strengthening the capacity of public sector procurement practitioners was undertaken.

1,115 procurement practitioners were trained. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: Following extensive consultations last year, a Service Excellence Policy was developed and will be submitted to Cabinet shortly.

This will form part of the Government’s thrust to transform and modernise the operations of the public sector as rationalising services will be even more critical going forward.

This will be done through shared services, mergers and divestments which will result in the achievement of a smaller, focused, more efficient and coherent grouping of public bodies. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: The programme engages unattached youth between 18 & 24 years old in training, education or employment.

HOPE interns have played an important role and have been engaged in a range of functions including electronic records management, surveys, filing, data loss preventative maintenance, vector control, construction, audit and other duties. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: In order to facilitate an efficient focus on human capital development, the Human Employment and Resource Training (Amendment) Act will be tabled.

The Apprenticeship Act and the Nat’l Youth Service (NYS) Act will be repealed and the functions of the Apprenticeship Board, the NYS, and the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning will be vested in the HEART Trust. #NewJamaica #Thronespeech

GG: Indeed, Jamaica is on a path to economic independence. In that regard, int’l partners have commended Jamaica’s performance on several counts.

Fitch Ratings Agency recently upgraded the Government of Jamaica’s Long-term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B+’ from ‘B’ & revised the outlook to “stable” from “positive”. #NewJamaica #Thronespeech

The agency also upgraded the country ceiling to ‘BB-‘ from ‘B’; representing Jamaica’s highest credit rating in over 10 years. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: In keeping with the thrust to improve corporate governance, Cabinet approved the Policy Guidelines for the nomination, selection & appointment of Boards of Public Bodies & the issuance of drafting instructions to...

...the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for drafting of regulations to be informed by sections of the Policy Guidelines. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: Ensuring access to finance and deepening financial inclusion is a key objective of the Government. As such the Microcredit Act will be tabled that will provide the legislative framework for the private micro-credit lending sector. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: Addressing crime and violence is one of the most challenging task that require practical initiatives, supported by robust legislative and policy framework.

In this regard, to drive further security improvement, “Plan Secure Jamaica” requires new legislation and/or amendments to existing legislation, including:
•The Police Act
•The Security Council Act
#NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: The Govt has been fostering synergies to drive economic growth in serveral areas consistent with the Govt’s growth policy. The Govt will seek to increase the capacity of Jamaica’s economy to produce goods & services. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: importantly, this year the Govt will undertake a comprehensive multiagency national survey of squatter settlements, to accurately ascertain the extent of squatting in the country.

It will also provide critical socio-economic, demographic and environmental information on these settlements that will inform the policy development process as well as intervention strategies. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: The Govt will be completing all major infrastructure legacy projects underway in Kingston, St. Catherine & Westmoreland.

In addition the Administration will also be embarking on major road works in the eastern section of the country to include: St. Thomas & Portland as well as to continue the major activities linking Clarendon to Manchester via the east-west toll road...

This with the intention to make the road network more resilient through the construction of bridges, retaining walls and other features. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: This year the Govt will continue its focus on water by significant increase in the budgetary allocation for rural water.

The Govt continues to work assiduously to address the challenges being faced currently & will shortly announce some interim measures to improve the provision of consistent, potable water to the areas affected. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

Through various partnerships & initiatives, over 6000 computers & aided devices are being provided to schools at all levels.

Additionally, in terms of infrastructure & to further integrate all students in the school community some 111 Primary schools were identified for the construction of ramps, for access to students with physical challenges, at a cost of $50,000,000.00.

This is being done along with other infrastructure work in schools to maintain and improve the plants. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

For this legislative year, the Ministry will give priority attention to procuring an unprecedented 100 garbage collection units for the National Solid Waste Management Authority. This will significantly broaden the capacity of the agency and tremendously improve responsiveness.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade will acquire 8 pumpers in the 2019/20 financial year. The Agency will also acquire 20 Life Rafts for flooding & swift water rescue. This equipment will strengthen the Brigade’s ability to respond to emergencies across the country.

The Govt will continue priority focus on the promotion of a healthy & active life-style, to alleviate the effects of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden on individuals and the health system.

The Jamaica Moves programme continues to encourage Jamaicans to get moving to improve their health.

The Govt will continue to review its health service delivery model, health financing options & governance arrangements, with the aim of improving efficiency of the public health system & providing better health outcomes. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech

GG: There will be continued review of key pieces of legislation to support the elimination of gender-based violence, including the Domestic Violence Act, Offences Against the Persons Act, and the Sexual Offences Act. The Prevention of Sexual Harassment Bill will also be tabled.

To grow domestic production, keen focus will be paid to crops and meat that support the import-substitution agenda as well as increased sales, exports and large investors through targeting of CARICOM, the Diaspora, the school feeding programme, hotels and restaurants.

In order to promote financial inclusion, improve administrative efficiency, & reduce costs while ensuring greater accessibility and ease of collecting benefits, the Govt will be fully implementing the automated/electronic payments to some 128,000 PATH beneficiary families.

The Govt will also undertake a programme to transition PATH families from welfare to work.

Last year, a total of 16,749 workers were placed in employment overseas through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) and another 2,879 were placed through Private Employment Agencies monitored by the MLSS.

The Government is therefore working to attract and facilitate new public and private investments, developing and opening new destinations and attractions, training and certifying more tourism workers, supporting and facilitating more entrepreneurs and innovators,...

...and integrating more technology into tourism products and services to drive productivity and make the tourism experience more fulfilling and seamless.

The implementation of the first phase of the privatisation of the railway (Montego Bay to Appleton) will be pursued this year to include...

...in addition to rail related implementation activities, facilitating the relocation of squatters/ informal settlers from within the rail reservation.

The Government will continue to rehabilitate and make new investments in critical physical court infrastructure and new technologies to increase efficiency.

Additionally, this year the Ministry will establish six (6) Justice Centres island-wide to coordinate alternative disputes resolution activities and enable easier access to justice services by members of the public.

This year, the St. Catherine Family Court (in Spanish Town) will be completed, to reduce the large caseload of family court matters in the parish.

Architectural designs are being completed to support the construction of a Regional Judicial Complex, (a regional Supreme Court, High Court and Family Court)...

...in Western Jamaica to co-locate justice services to address infrastructural gaps and judicial complexes in St. Ann, St. James and Manchester.

Engagements will continue at the bilateral, regional & int’l levels with our partners including & especially the Diaspora. The Min of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade will focus on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals derived from Agenda 2030 & our own Vision 2030.

The primary objectives are to further Jamaica’s inclusive sustainable economic growth and job creation agenda as well as the promotion of peace and prosperity for peoples across the globe.

This year, the Government will work assiduously to leverage new opportunities in both traditional and non-traditional partner countries to support trade, investment and technical cooperation pursuits.

GG: Jamaica’s prospects have scarcely been brighter. Our opportunities far exceed our challenges. Our potential surpasses even our greatest expectations. Jamaica is blessed. We all are blessed.

Together, we must seize the opportunities. Together, we must maximise our collective potential.
Together, we must move from thought to rapid implementation.

Let us work in partnership to build a new Jamaica, where the tree of prosperity is firmly rooted, delivering fruit for all Jamaicans. #NewJamaica #ThroneSpeech