CABINET DECISIONS
1. MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE TO DEVELOP A FEE STRUCTURE FOR THE COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION
Cabinet has given approval for the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to design a fee structure for payment to the members of the Integrity Commission.
The commission has convened approximately 22 meetings since its establishment on February 23, 2018, and members have not received remuneration for their services since their appointment.
2. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Cabinet has given approval for the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to play a leading role in the development of the Caribbean Regional School of the Arts. The Caribbean Regional School of the Arts will be housed at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts beginning in 2020 until a facility is constructed in Montego Bay, St James.
An implementation committee is to be put in place to advance plans for the establishment of the school.
3. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES’ ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CAMPUS
Cabinet has agreed that Jamaica will not object to the establishment of a University of the West Indies campus in Antigua and Barbuda provided certain conditions are met. Primarily, the GoJ requires an assurance that Antigua and Barbuda is able to cover the costs associated with the establishment and operation of the campus.
4. CLOSURE OF THE JAMAICAN EMBASSY IN KUWAIT
Cabinet has given approval for the closure of the Jamaican Embassy in Kuwait effective June 1, 2019. The decision was taken as there was a lack of indication of any prospects for deeper bilateral engagement and cooperation. The Government also took into consideration the cost to Jamaica in both financial and human resources to operate the Jamaican Embassy in Kuwait compared to the minimal benefits.
5. DEFERRED NOMINATION OF PORT ROYAL TO THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO) WORLD HERITAGE LIST
Cabinet has given approval for the deferral of the nomination of Port Royal to the UNESCO World Heritage List for one year. This deferment will allow for a submission of a less restrictive nomination. The revised nomination file will be adjusted to refer only to Criterion 4.
6. APPOINTMENT TO FLA REVIEW BOARD
Cabinet has given approval for the reappointment of the Review Board to the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) for a period of three years. The board reviews the decisions taken by the authority on the request of aggrieved parties. The members are as follows:
Justice Seymour Panton, OJ, CDChairman (retired Supreme Court judge)
Carolyn Hay (retired senior deputy director of public prosecutions)
Kelso Small (retired superintendent of police)
7. ENTERPRISE TEAM TO OVERSEE THE PRIVATISATION OF THE JAMAICA MORTGAGE BANK
Cabinet has given approval for the formation of an enterprise team to oversee the privatisation of the Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB) and for the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) to act as transaction manager.
The enterprise team will lead the privatisation process of the JMB and will comprise a maximum of seven recommended members from the following organisations:
DBJ – Representative from the board to chair the enterprise team
JMB – chairman of the board Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
The Office of the Prime Minister Public Sector Transformation Implementation Unit
Attorney General’s Chambers (Commercial Task Force)
The public will be made aware of the members of the enterprise team once Cabinet has approved the members.
8. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ASHTROM BUILDING SYSTEMS LIMITED
Cabinet has given approval for the Award of a Contract by the National Housing Trust to Ashtrom Building Systems Limited for Building and Civil Infrastructure Works at Phase 4 of the Twickenham Park Housing Development in St Catherine. Under the contract, which is valued at $1,215,906,077.59, Ashtrom will construct 110 twobedroom single-storey duplex units over a 16-month period. The company will also undertake supporting civil infrastructure works to include: Roadworks
Storm water drainage system Potable water distribution system
Sewage network
9. EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT OF A PILOT BOAT
Cabinet has given approval for the emergency procurement of a pilot boat for service to public and private port facilities in and around the Port of Kingston. The Port Authority of Jamaica will procure the fibreglass pilot boat from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem at a cost of US$1,500,000 CIF. The vessel is expected to arrive at the end of August 2019.
Two pilot boats were purchased from the company in 2018; however, one was damaged in an accident in April 2019 and deemed by the company uneconomical to repair. The boat that is being purchased will replace the damaged vessel.
Compulsory pilot service is required by law in the ports of Jamaica whereby marine pilots who are employed to the PAJ are responsible for guiding the movement of ships in Jamaican waters.