HOLNESS
Opposition Spokesman on Housing, Andrew Holness, has welcomed the Government's re-newed focus on inner-city development.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, during his contribution to the 2005/2006 Budget Debate on Tuesday, outlined a host of initiatives that the Government will undertake during the current fiscal year.
"I am pleased that the Prime Minister has respon-ded to the numerous calls for a serious focus on inner-city re-development," Mr. Holness said.
He added: "I am especially pleased at the commitment to re-introduce Lift-Up Jamaica which, by the Prime Minister's pronouncements, would be specifically focused on inner-city areas and rural townships."
EMPLOYMENY FOR MANY
Mr. Patterson had announced that the Government would receive $2 billion from the Caracas Energy Accord, to revitalise the Lift-Up Jamaica programme which was first introduced in 1999 but fizzled out soon after the millennium.
The Prime Minister indicated that 20,000 to 25,000 persons would be employed throughout the duration of the programme in inner cities, rural town renewal and rural development projects.
The Government will also introduce an Inner City Basic Services for the Poor (ICBSP) programme which will be financed with a $1.5-billion commitment from the World Bank, as well as $40 million from the Policy and Human Resources Fund.
ACKNOWLEDGING THE APPEALS
But although Mr. Patterson acknowledged the appeals of Mr. Holness, the member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew, the housing spokesman subsequently indicated that the Opposition would hold the Government to its promises.
"While we applaud these announcements, we are well aware that actions can fall woefully short of promises," Mr. Holness said.
He added: "Let me assure the people of inner-city communities, who are looking forward to these programmes, that we will be vigilant in ensuring the Government moves full speed ahead to get these programmes started."
Mr. Holness also vowed to ensure that the programmes are conducted on a non-partisan basis focusing only on the need of the poor, especially the young, urban poor. He also said he would be watching to make certain that no attempt is made during the year to cut or divert funding for the programmes into any other area of the budget.
R.H.
