KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced plans to establish a new ministry to focus on reducing the levels of violence in the country.
Holness addressed hundreds of supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Sunday at the party’s 80th conference at the National Arena.
He said the new mission of his administration is to put Jamaica on a path to build a partnership of productivity and peace.
“Jamaica is not a country at war, but our homicide rates equate to countries that are at war……we conflict with ourselves. We have commissioned a study, which we should get by the end of this year. When it comes in, we will reorganize the Government to create and bring all the agencies that deal with families, communities, social development, and parenting together under one ministry. I’m thinking of calling it the Ministry of Peace and Human – but maybe that won’t be the name,” the Prime Minister said.
Concerning violence further afield, Ho lamented the death toll in the current war between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and stressed that a peaceful solution be urgently reached.
He affirmed his Government’s support for a two-state solution as the only viable outcome of the long-running conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Asserting that Jamaica is “consistent in its support for the universal respect and adherence to the principles of international law and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.”
“Jamaica condemns all forms of terrorism and supports the right of nations to defend themselves, about the Israeli Government’s response to the attack by Hamas militants against Israeli civilians on October 7, when they slaughtered 1,200 people.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister said, his administration was now “deeply concerned at the rising human cost in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” adding that he welcomed the current pause in hostilities, which has facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners on both sides.
Beyond that pause, however, he said it was essential to achieve “a permanent solution,” stressing that “we remain convinced that this can only be achieved by a negotiated two-state solution, enabling the Palestinians and Israelis to live securely in peace and dignity.”
Also speaking at the conference on Sunday was Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke, who announced that the Government will move the duty-free threshold for personal items imported into Jamaica from US $50 to US $100 in April 2024.
People who shop online and import items through courier agencies can purchase items valued at US $100 without being charged custom fees.
Additionally, the threshold for Jamaicans returning to the airport with goods bought overseas will move to US $1,000, up from US $500.
The finance minister said parliament would begin reviewing a 1,000-page Customs Bill to repeal and replace the old bill from 1945 to ensure that Jamaica has modern and efficient customs.
He says that when the bill is passed, the port and airport bureaucracy will be reduced. Meanwhile, Clarke has promised the establishment of an unemployment insurance policy.
Unemployment insurance protects employed persons against the risk of job loss and facilitates access to partial income during periods of unemployment.
Another significant event took place at the JLP conference when Venesha Phillips of the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) crossed the floor to become a member and Councillor for the Papine Division; she says her decision to join the governing JLP was bolstered by what she says is the erosion of principles and values of the party she once called home.
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