A fight against crime remains a major national priority with the Jamaican government committing additional resources and support to the security forces for the 2018/19 fiscal year.
This was disclosed by Jamaica’s Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, on Thursday when he delivered the Throne Speech to open the new session of Parliament under the theme ‘Continuing on the Path to Prosperity’.
Biggest threat
Sir Patrick noted that organized crime, along with the violence and homicide it produces, is the biggest threat to citizens’ security and continues to stymie the growth and prosperity of the country.
The Governor General said the administration will be seeking approval for a number of legislative measures designed to improve crime-fighting efforts and better enable law-enforcement agencies to interdict criminals.
These include the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act, Fingerprints (Amendment) Act, Firearms (Amendment) Act, Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act, Parole (Amendment) Act, and The Justice Protection (Amendment) Bill.
In addition to the legislative measures, the Government will continue to focus on strengthening its administrative and technological capabilities, crime-prevention and community safety measures, and rehabilitation and redemption.
Special attention to justice system
The Governor General said the justice system will also be given special attention in order to reduce the backlog of cases and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Other areas of focus include programs to rehabilitate and make new investments in critical health infrastructure; accelerating construction of affordable housing and providing greater access to funding; construction and maintenance of water and irrigation systems; commencement and completion of road projects to ease congestion and improve road safety and security; and scaling up programs to reach more unattached youth.
NIDS advanced to Sept. 28
Concerning plans to establish a National Identification System (NIDS), Sir Patrick said these will be advanced with the National Identification and Registration Authority Regulations to be developed and tabled in the House by September 2018.
Sexual Harassment Bill
The Government also plans to put measures in place to increase protection of women and girls with the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill this year. The proposed Gender Advisory Council is also to be established.
As it relates to education, five new schools are to be constructed, while money is to be provided from the e-learning budget to assist in the sustainability of information and communications technology (ICT) in schools from the early-childhood to secondary levels.
In the area of transportation, the Governor-General indicated that the phased resumption of the rail service will be undertaken with the start of construction on Phase 1, from Montego Bay in the western parish of St. James to Appleton in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth, in this fiscal year.
