CABINET DECISIONS
ADVISORY 1: Cabinet has approved the following for tabling in Parliament: Annual reports
• Urban Development Corporation 2014/15 and 2015/16
• Jamaica Mortgage Bank 2017/18
• National Road Operating and Construction Company 2016/17
• University Council of Jamaica 2017/18. It was noted that the UCJ is up to date in its reporting.
• All-Island Cane Farmers’ Association for year ended September 30, 2017
• National Irrigation Commission for year ended March 31, 2016
• Chief Justices Statistical Report on Parish Courts, July to September 2018 2: Award of contracts
New 2MVA standby generator and accessories at NMIA
Cabinet has approved the award of a contract for the supply and installation of a new 2MVA Caterpillar Standby Generator Set and accessories at the Norman Manley International Airport. The contract was awarded to IMCA Jamaica Ltd by the use of direct contracting methodology in the sum of US$1,229,300.00. Gabion wall construction and roadworks – Sir John Golding Road
Cabinet approved the award of a contract to Chins’ Construction Company in the sum of J$62,987,500.00 to undertake road rehabilitation and drainage-improvement works along the Sir John Golding Road in St Andrew. SUPPLY OF COASTAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS TO JAMAICA DEFENCE FORCE
Cabinet approved the award of a contract to the Thales Group to supply coastal surveillance system Coast Watcher 100 as one component of the Maritime Domain Awareness Capability initiative of the Government. This contract with the Thales Group in France is in the sum of US$30 million and will be paid over a period of three financial years, beginning in the 2018/19 financial year. Elhydro Kleenoil Bypass Filtration System in the JUTC Fleet
Cabinet has approved the award of a contract to Elhydro Incorporated for provision of materials and technical professional advice and to perform all operations for the implementation of Phase 1 of the Elhydro Kleenoil Bypass Filtration System in the Jamaica Urban Transit Company fleet of buses. The value of the contract is J$251,050,000.00. PROPOSED RECRUITMENT OF GOVERNOR FOR THE BANK OF JAMAICA
The minister of finance has indicated to the Cabinet the need to commence a formal search for a new governor for the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ).
It was noted that the contract for the current governor had been extended for two years and would expire in November 2019; that the governor had completed 10 years in the post and had successfully completed programmes of activities agreed upon; and that the modernisation of the BOJ required certain changes, including new leadership.
Cabinet has taken note of the plans of the minister of finance to formally inform the Opposition about this initiative and the establishment of the search committee. PARLIAMENTARY MATTERS Parliament was prorogued on February 12.
The tabling of the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure was held on February 14, 2019.
The next sitting of Parliament will be on Monday, March 4, 2019 .
The establishment of the Standing Finance Committee for 2019/20 will review the Estimates of Expenditure on Monday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 5.
The schedule of contributions to the Budget Debate is as follows: 1) Minister of finance opens the Debate on Thursday, March 7, 2019. 2) The Opposition spokesperson on Finance: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 3) Leader of the Opposition: Thursday, March 14, 2019.
4) Prime minister: Tuesday March 19, 2019.
5) Minister of Finance closes the Debate on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.