Statement from Minister with responsiblity for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer

Statement by Minister with responsiblity for Information

Senator Sandrea Falconer 

Jamaica House Briefing
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Press Room, Jamaica House

Cabinet Retreat

The Cabinet will meet in a two day Retreat at Jamaica House, tomorrow and Friday (Feb 2-3). The Retreat will focus on plans for the engagement of a new economic programme through the preparation of the Fiscal Programme for the rest of the financial year (2011/12). This will form the basis for continued discussions with the International Monetary Fund, IMF.

The medium term fiscal programme (2012/2013 to 2015/2016) that has been formulated within the context of the Fiscal Responsibility Framework will also be reviewed. The Government will determine firstly the Supplementary Budget for 2011/2012 and the medium national strategic priorities. The Retreat discussions will also inform the policies that will be required to attain the medium term fiscal profile on which the new budget will be constructed and presented in April 2012. The priority programmes and projects for 2012/2013 will also be determined.

Official Funeral of Ambassador the Honorable Dudley Thompson OJ QC

Cabinet was updated on the Official Funeral Service for Ambassador the Hon. Dudley Thompson OJ, QC.

His body will arrive in the island on Thursday February 2, 2012. Condolence books have been opened at Mico University, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Headquarters of the People's National Party.

The funeral service will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral at 2 p.m. and Interment will follow at the Military cemetery at Up Park Camp.

Cabinet discussed the outstanding contribution of the Honorable Dudley Thompson as a Parliamentarian, Government Minister and Lawyer. His contribution to foreign affairs and Jamaica's economic development especially in the bauxite industry was lauded.
It was recommended that a committee be established to examine the creation of a fitting and permanent tribute in recognition of his contribution and in his memory. The Committee will be convened by Minister of Youth and Culture the Hon. Lisa Hanna and the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce the Hon Anthony Hylton.

Legislation Committee

Cabinet approved the appointment of the Legislation Committee to be chaired by the Minister of Justice Senator the Hon. Mark Golding.

The Committee comprises of the following Ministers:

• Senator the Honourable Arnold Nicholson QC -
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate

• Honourable Robert Pickersgill -
Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change

• Honourable Phillip Paulwell
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining and Leader of the House

• Honourable Derrick Kellier, CD -
Minister of Labour and Social Security

• Honourable Natalie Neita-Headley -
Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister

In Attendance:

• Honourable Arnaldo Brown
Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

• Honourable Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams
Minister of State, Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce

• Mr. Patrick Atkinson, QC
Attorney General

Coconut Industry Board

Cabinet also discussed issues relating to the coconut industry especially the negative impact the lethal yellowing disease has had on the industry.

In 1961 Jamaica had approximately 6 million coconut palms and by 1981, 90% had been killed by this disease.

In 2007, Jamaica produced 90.7million nuts from 3.3million palms and in 2010 experts say we had just over 3.38 million palms.

Farmers have had to undertake continuous replanting to maintain the status quo in terms of the same number of trees.

Jamaica is doing continuous research and we are working with Mexico, Brazil and some international agencies to assist in the fight against lethal yellowing.

Lethal yellowing is a serious disease. It prematurely drops off the fruits and causes the leaf to become yellow from lower to upper stem. With lethal yellow disease the plant dies within 3 - 6 months of the disease appearing. (Dr. Wayne Myrie from the Coconut Industry Board is in attendance this morning)

Immunization

Cabinet also discussed the challenges posed to the success of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Ruebella) immunization programme because of poor compliance.

It has instructed that the Ministry of Education insists that children being admitted to early childhood institutions are immunized.

The benefits of designing a public education programme in conjunction with educational institutions and government agencies including the Jamaica Information Service were examined. Cabinet also instructed that short public service announcements could be used to translate messages on health education values and proper parenting. JIS has already been co-opted and a campaign will begin in short order.

JIS has already been instructed to design a campaign for roll out in short order.

Health Care

• The level of Health care available to individuals with chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension was also discussed.
• The existing challenges faced by secondary health care facilities as a result of existing gaps in the provision of services by primary health care facilities located in urban communities.
• The level of staffing and the availability of diagnostic facilities at primary health care facilities.
• The poor physical conditions and services offered at some primary health care facilities and
• The need to re-establish home visits provided by community health aides the need for additional training of health care personnel in this regard and the commitment of the Ministry of Health to improve the diagnostic capabilities at health centres.

The Minister of Health was instructed to undertake including, increasing the including of medical personnel and other short-term measures to reduce the pressure on the secondary health care facilities.

Jamaica Investment Forum

Jamaica Invest Forum is to be held in Montego Bay, March 1 - 2, 2012.

Cabinet was informed that The Jamaica Investment forum is geared at assisting Jamaica in promoting high profile investment opportunities and targeting strategic high net worth investors.

The objectives and structure of the Forum and an update, the associated budget; the scheduled programme of activities and the selected Public and Private Sectors Investment Projects to be promoted at the Forum were outlined.

Cabinet was sensitized to the need for fiscal prudence. The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce was encouraged to ensure that funding for the Forum is secured through the Ministry's existing budgetary allocations in light the government' s fiscal constraints.

Other investment opportunities will be pursued, including those relating to our mineral baths, botanical gardens, a Cultural Performing Arts Centre and the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. Every opportunity must also be taken to capitalize on Brand Jamaica.

In the discussions, it was noted that the other investment opportunities that could be explored such as those related to energy, culture, health, agriculture, education and sports. These were not included in the Investment Forum so a ministerial committee headed by the Prime Minister and comprising the following Ministries was set up to identify those other projects that the Government of Jamaica would be interested in showcasing at the Forum :

Committee:
• Office of the Prime Minister
• Ministry of Transport, works and Housing
• The Ministry of Finance and Planning
• The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining
• The Ministry of tourism and Entertainment
• The Ministry of Youth and Culture
• The Ministry of Water. Land Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce.

Cabinet noted that the Forum was the first opportunity for the Government to present its perspectives for investment and its relations with the Private Sector therefore, the forum should be used to promote the wider vision of the government and its intentions to facilitate economic growth, within the current fiscal context.

Caymanas Economic Zone and Development Plan and Land Use

Cabinet noted the plans for the Caymanas Economic Zone and related lands, the benefits thereto and the need of comprehensive discussions on the use of land for development.

Parliamentary Business

Cabinet was advised of the Parliamentary Schedule and the proposed consultations to be held on a quarterly basis between the government and the Parliamentary Opposition.