|
|
The Government will continue its efforts to reduce poverty and crime, improve healthcare, education, and infrastructure and revitalize the agricultural sector. To advance these objectives a number of projects were being implemented during FY 2003/04 and will be continued in FY 2004/05
SOCIAL SECTOR The Social Safety Net The social safety net project was designed to assist the poor and vulnerable in the society. An important element of the programme is the provision of cash grants to the most needy. A major component of the programme is the rationalization of the three existing income transfer programmes - Food Stamp, Outdoor Poor Relief and Public Assistance - into one programme, the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). The rationalization process commenced in FY 2003/04 and by December 2003, approximately 180,000 beneficiaries had been registered under PATH. Of a targeted population of 207,000 families to receive benefits, 80,000 families have been selected to date. A management information system for the PATH programme has also been developed. Budgetary provisions have been made this fiscal year for an increase in the number of beneficiaries. It is projected that some 236,000 persons will be assisted under the programme. Beneficiaries' monthly payments will be increased from $300 per person to $375 per person as agreed under the project loan. The increase reflects an adjustment for inflation. Research continues to determine the most convenient, effective and suitable method of payment.
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Programme The spread of the deadly HIV virus is of major concern worldwide. The Government with the assistance of the World Bank and other Donor Agencies has embarked on a programme aimed at:
Implementation of this programme began last fiscal year. At January 2004, 25,800 condoms had been procured for distribution to designated clinics islandwide. Six (6) condom dispenser machines were also procured to be used in a pilot project for convenient distribution. Several sensitization workshops were held and manuals have been developed for post exposure prophylaxis, clinical management, home based care and tuberculosis prevention. Medical equipment has been purchased to support Aids activities at the National Public Health Lab and at the Regional level. Activities under the programme will be increased this fiscal year. A massive media and information campaign will be launched. Two hundred (200) HIV positive mothers and two hundred (200) newborns of HIV positive mothers will receive Anti-Retroviral medication and replacement feeding for six (6) months. Fourteen (14) treatment sites for sexually transmitted infections (STI) will be physically upgraded to provide comprehensive treatment and counselling. A further 2mn condoms will be distributed at various intervention sites. The diagnostic capacity of the health system and the National Public Health Lab will be upgraded to reduce the turn around time for HIV testing by 70%. Waste disposal equipment will be provided to 34 health facilities and a surveillance system and programme will be established.
Reform of Secondary Education (ROSE II) The second phase of reform of the secondary education system commenced in FY 2003/04 with a loan of US$39.8mn from the World Bank. The programme is to be implemented over a five-year period, with completion set for September 2007. The major objective of this project is to improve the quality of secondary education, through reform, capacity building and continued infrastructure development. One hundred and thirty (130) teachers have so far been trained in the ROSE curriculum, which includes management and curriculum development. Fifty-three (53) school improvement plans are completed and 300 school improvement manuals printed. Activities to be undertaken this fiscal year include:
Primary Education Support Programme The objective of this project is to facilitate improvement in the performance and efficiency of the primary education system through implementation of a revised primary school curriculum and national assessment standards in all primary schools Construction activity got off to a reasonable start in FY 2003/04. At December 2003, pre-contract work had been completed on seven schools in Phase I: Mansfield, Hellshire, Sheffield, Guys Hill, Fruitful Vale, Bromley and Mayfield. The designs and layout for four schools in Phase II have also been completed: Red Hills All-Age, Sheffield All-age, Chester Castle All-Age and Lucea Primary Implementation will continue this fiscal year with the following activities:
JAMAICA SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND The major objective of this programme is to assist the Government in responding to the needs of the most vulnerable groups in the population by:
Several sub-projects and activities have been undertaken and completed under this programme islandwide. Several communities have benefited. Between 1996 and December 2003, a total of 587 projects were approved. Of this amount, 447 have been completed. These projects covered the areas of basic, social and economic infrastructure. Completion work will continue this financial year on the remaining 140 approved projects.
Citizens Security and Justice The level of crime is of major concern to the Government. Various measures have been implemented in an effort to reduce crime. Among the programmes introduced is the Citizens Security and Justice Programme. The major objectives of this programme are:
The programme was introduced in FY 2003/04 and achievements to date include:
Implementation will get into high gear this financial year with commencement of the following activities:
Agricultural Support Services The objectives of this project are threefold:
The project has been progressing satisfactorily. An Agricultural Support Services and Productive Project Fund Limited have been established. The Pig Industry Development Plan is underway and completion is expected this fiscal year. One hundred copies of the Jamaica Red Poll Herd Book have been completed. Studies have also been completed on the production of hot peppers, carrots, honey, escallion and bammy. The Montpelier Irrigation System has been installed. Work on the Research stations will continue this fiscal year along with the Pasteurization of Montpelier System. Provision is also made to undertake other activities such as:
Citrus Replanting The Citrus Industry is under threat from the Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV). The Citrus Replanting project was designed to prevent the decline of the industry by replanting 2,833 hectares of groves over a five-year period effective January 2001. Implementation has slowed somewhat in FY 2003/04. Small farmers have been tardy in taking the loans. At January 2004, eighty-one farm plans had been prepared; 2,365 citrus farms visited and 240,909 plants from 12 registered nurseries monitored. The All island survey of Aphisis has been completed. It is anticipated that activities will increase this fiscal year when the following are undertaken:
Parish Infrastructure Development Programme This programme is geared towards reforming and strengthening the Local Government system so that Parish Councils will be able to deliver basic services in an efficient and sustainable manner. Steady progress has been made on all components of this project. Bidding documents for the engagement of a Municipal Taxation Consultant have been prepared. Local Area Networks have been installed in all local government offices and commissioned into service. Some 400 computers and equipment have also been installed. Orientation and training for new Parish Councilors were carried out in a series of workshops. The Accounting Software "Platinum" has been implemented and is functional in the Manchester Parish Council. To date, all Parish Councils have been sensitized to the process of capacity building through a series of group workshops held islandwide. Eight (8) kilometres of parochial roads were completed in the parishes of Manchester, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth and Trelawny. Rehabilitation work was done on the Browns Town market while refurbishing work is underway on the Manchester Parish Council building. In this fiscal year, revenue collection from property tax is projected to be 50% of billing, some 10% above previous years. Rehabilitation work on 8 km of roads in Phase II - in Portland, St. Mary, St. Andrew and St. Thomas - will be completed. Construction activities will commence on the Spanish Town Market and the Trelawny Parish Council building. Designs for the St. Ann and Hanover Parish Council buildings will be completed.
Northern Jamaica Development The major objective of this project is to significantly improve the infrastructure from Negril to Port Antonio. Segment I of the highway from Negril to Montego Bay is near completion and all utility poles have been relocated. Segment I of the highway - Negril to Montego Bay - was completed last year. Segment II, Montego Bay to Ocho Rios is scheduled to be completed this fiscal year. The roadway embankment and excavation works are 90% completed. Construction work is in progress on four major bridge structures - Wakefield Road Interchange, Martha Brae River, Bengal River and Pear Tree Bottom River. Reallocation of utilities poles is (90%) completed. Construction work is expected to commence this year on Segment III, which involves 120 km of road between Ocho Rios and Fair Prospect in Portland.
|
