Dionne Rose & Petrina Francis, Staff Reporters
Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall delivers the Throne Speech, in the Chamber of Gordon House, during yesterday's State Opening of Parliament, while Captain Samuel Ellis, aide-de-camp, stands by. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
GOVERNOR-GENERAL PROFESSOR Kenneth Hall announced yesterday that the Government is to spend US$32 million (J$1.9 billion) to rehabilitate inner-city communities as part of the fight against crime and poverty.
The Governor-General said Government will also be addressing unemployment with the allocation of a $1 billion loan to facilitate small- and medium-size enterprises through funds from the National Insurance Fund (NIF).
He made the announcements during his first Throne Speech, while outlining the Government's programmes and policies for the 2006/07 legislative year at the State Opening of Parliament in Gordon House.
SUPPORTING SMALLER ENTERPRISES
The Governor-General said that, while the Government will continue to support major projects, it will give greater focus to small- and medium-size enterprises.
"The Government recognises that while it must balance its books, it must spare no effort to balance people's lives," he said.
He added that the rehabilitation of inner-city communities would allow these areas to be provided with basic services such as potable water, improved road infrastructure and solid waste management.
The Government will also be continuing with its education reform with the approval of $217 million from the Culture, Health, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund for the building or upgrading of basic schools and resource centres.
E-LEARNING PROJECT
Of this amount, $44 million will be allocated for the training of early childhood practitioners and $66 million for nutritional support. The Governor-General disclosed that US$50 million (J$3.2 billion) will be spent to increase the quality of education in 150 high schools, through the e-learning project.
Turning to the economy, the Governor-General said the Government would continue to pursue economic policies to reduce inflation, the debt/GDP ratio, the fiscal deficit and promote long-term growth and prosperity.
He said the strengthening of economic cooperation with CARICOM partners would remain a matter of high priority, while adding that energy and energy security would become an integral part of the country's foreign policy in the region.
"On the bilateral basis, Jamaica expects, soon, to conclude an energy/alumina/aluminium cooperation agreement with Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
