POST CABINET PRESS BRIEFING REPORT KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
Please see below the activities of Cabinet which were shared on Wednesday February 3, 2021
Privatisation of the Jamaica Exotic Flavours and Essences (JEFE) Company Limited
Cabinet gave approval for the privatisation of the JEFE which includes the sale of the asset, the involuntary winding up and any other legal options available for winding up. The mandate of the JEFE was to utilize Jamaica’s primary agricultural products and appropriate technology, to extract high levels of flavour compounds for sale to the international market. The company had not been operating commercially and had ceased related activities since 2012. It had also not been adding value to the operation of the Government of Jamaica. Goodwill and value of the brand of the company were valued at $25 million.
National Housing Trust Special Benefit Order Windcrest Hills Housing Development, St. Catherine (Hellshire 2)
Cabinet gave approval for the promulgation of a Special Benefit order, effective November 30, 2020 to facilitate the allocation of 11 housing solutions at the Windcrest Hills Housing Development in St. Catherine (Hellshire 2) to certain groups of contributors to the National Housing Trust. Cabinet also approved the issuance of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to facilitate the promulgation of the said Special Benefit Order.
National Housing Trust Special Benefit Order- Twickenham Glades Housing Development, St. Catherine
Cabinet gave approval for the promulgation of a Special Benefit Order effective November 30, 2020 to facilitate the allocation of 30 housing solutions at the Twickenham Glades Housing Development in St. Catherine to certain groups of contributors to the National Housing Trust. Cabinet also approved the drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to facilitate the promulgation of the said Special Benefit order.
Reports
Cabinet received and approved the following annual reports and/or financial statements to be tabled in Parliament: o Jamaica International Free Zone Development Limited 2017/2018 o Water Resources Authority (WRA) 2018/2019 o The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) 2019/2020 o National Education Trust (NET) 2015/2016 o Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Education, Youth and
Information 2019/2020 o National Housing Trust 2019/2020 o Port Authority Management Services Limited (PAMS) 2017/2018 o Kingston Container Terminal Services Limited (KCT) 2015/2016 o National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC)
2018/2019 and 2019/2020
Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract to N.F Barnes Construction and Equipment Company Limited for the retaining wall construction works to address the breakaway along Gordon Town Road in St. Andrew in the amount of $187,662,532.00. The roadway collapsed during heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020 which left many residents marooned with some opting to walk across what was left of the thoroughfare or risk a dangerous bike ride. While touring the area shortly after the heavy rains, the Prime Minister indicated that it would cost the government two hundred million dollars to effect repairs to the road. The approval of this contract means that work will begin post haste and once complete residents will be able to utilise the corridor.
Cabinet gave approval for the award of a contract to Health Brands Limited for the provision of x-ray films and chemicals for a period of two years on an as needed basis to the National Health Fund in the amount of $331,603,157.00.
Award of contract to Gracekennedy Payment Services Limited for the provision of coin collection services on behalf of the Bank of Jamaica for a period of 1 year beginning February 1 2021 in the amount of $63,344,875.00 inclusive of GCT.
Cabinet gave approval for the Dornoch and Greater Dornoch Water Supply Rehab and Upgrading Project Trelawny/st. Ann Phase 1- Barron Hill to Samuel Prospect Transmission Main replacement, in the amount of $200,596,875.00 to Bacchus Engineering Works Limited.
Cabinet gave approval for the supply and delivery of uniforms for the staff at the National Water Commission in the amount of $96,042,348.00 plus GCT to Designs by Marc Limited.