Parliamentarians and officials led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (right foreground) and Opposition Leader Bruce Golding (left foreground) enter the Gordon House Chamber to hear the Throne Speech delivered by Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall during the ceremonial opening of Parliament last Thursday, the same day as the tabling of the 2007/2008 Estimates of Expenditure. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Sugar Transformation Project will receive a budgetary allocation of $71 million this fiscal year, as set out in the 2007/'08 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project, which will be implemented this month, will last until June of 2013. It is expected to develop a sustainable private sector-led sugar industry; strengthen the economic diversification, social resilience and environment sustainability of sugar dependent areas; and maintain progress towards macroeconomic goals.

During this fiscal year, it is anticipated that a Sugar Transformation Unit (STU) will be developed; head and support staff of theSTU will be employed; and an operational and procurement manual should be developed.

It is also expected that a Sugar Transformation Steering Committee will be formed; stakeholders meetings will be organised; a sugar transformation implementation plan will be prepared; draft financing proposals for phase two of the Jamaica Country Strategy (JCS) will be prepared; institutional arrange-ments in the industry are to be reviewed; and ongoing policy and logistical support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands will be provided.

The project is being funded by the Government and the European Union.

A sum of $400 million has been allocated to a project to protect children in emergencies.

The implementing agency is the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), and the project is entitled: Protecting Children by Strengthening the Capacity of Schools and their Surrounding Communities to respond to Disasters (Phase two).

The provision has been made in the Estimates of Expenditure for 2007/'08, now before the House of Representatives.

Anticipated targets

Anticipated targets for 2007/'08 include the development, preparation and community recognition of 150 Disaster Management Plans in 150 children's homes and schools.

Up to March 2007, the project has completed 26 disaster emergency plans for 26 schools islandwide.

The project also seeks to ensure that community recognition of these master plans are maintained; develop and use hazard maps; distribute 3,000 basic communication sheets to all children's institutions.

The programme is being funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The Trafficking in Persons project has been allocated $8.83 million in the 2007/'08 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives.

The objective of the project is to expand the initial focus on domestic violence in the loan operation to include sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons.

Targets envisaged for this project include the conduct of a comprehensive assessment of sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons; development of strategies to improve the enforcement of existing trafficking-related legislation; training sessions for front line workers; development of additional materials specific to trafficking.

Develop strategies

For this fiscal period, the project will develop strategies to improve the enforcement of existing trafficking related legislation; conduct a comprehensive assessment of sexual exploitation and trafficking; conduct training sessions for front-line workers.

The project is being implemented by the Government of Jamaica and is being funded by the Inter- American Development Bank.

Government has earmarked some $286 million this fiscal year to facilitate the construction and improvement of courthouses islandwide.

As contained in the 2007/'08 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives, the money will be used to re-establish a courthouse in Morant Bay, St. Thomas; to effect repairs to the Resident Magistrate's (RM) Court in Montego Bay; and to carry out architectural works in Mandeville.

The funds will also be used to upgrade electricity for the RM courts in Montego Bay, St. James; Yallahs, St. Thomas; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; and Black River in St. Elizabeth.

During the year, refurbishing works will also be carried out at the RM Court in Spaldings, Clarendon; the Coroners/Traffic Court; the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

In addition, iJEMS and prosecuting attorney system (PAS) software to improve case management in the RM Courts and at the DPP will be purchased, in addition to jury management software.

A further $25 million has been set aside to purchase 12 motor vehicles for judges and $2.6 million has been allocated to purchase two vehicles for the Ministry of Justice's head office.

A sum of $182.12 million has been assigned to the Ministries of National Security, and Justice to purchase surveillance vessels for the Jamaica Defence Force, during the 2007/08 fiscal period.

The objective of the project is to enhance Jamaica's offshore capabilities and to fulfill the Government's commitment to strengthen Jamaica's border control, as part of the anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives.

Achievements up to December 2006 include the purchase of three vessels and ongoing training of Coast Guard personnel. The initial targets envisaged include the purchase of three off shore surveillance vessels and the provision of training, technical assistance, spare parts, and maintenance. The duration of the project is April 2004 to September 2006.

A sum of $13 million has been set aside in the 2007/08 Estimates of Expenditure for the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), to facilitate the development and improvement of the environment, and physical attractiveness of resort areas.

A major focus of this activity during the financial year will be the implementation of beautification projects in Kingston and the South Coast.

Beautification projects will also include Museums and heritage locations/sites and National Monuments.

In the meantime $16.76 million has also been allotted to TPDCo to provide for the maintenance of properties, which were formerly owned by the Jamaica Attraction and Development Company, and the Recreational Development Company.

The Visitor Information Programme (Anti-harassment) is to receive $15 million for the provision of visitor information services. These programmes are aimed at providing information about the resort areas to visitors and local residents. During this financial period, special emphasis will be placed on the modernisation and maintenance of information booths and kiosks across the island.

The Sustainable Environmental and Tourism Projects have been allocated $10 million. The main focus of this project is the sustained development and improvement of the environment in the major resort towns, by facilitating upgrading and beautification works in these areas.

Training of staff members will be boosted with the aid of $4.43 million, which will finance training seminars and related expenses.

Stories taken from JIS