KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced plans to establish a new ministry to focus on reducing the levels of violence in the country.
Holness was addressing hundreds of supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Sunday at the party’s 80th conference held 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, equates to countries that are at war……we are in conflict with ourselves.We have commissioned a study, which we should get by the end of this year and when it comes in, we are going to reorganize the government to create and bring all the agencies that deal with families, communities, social development, parenting, we are going to bring all of them 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 longrunning conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Asserting that Jamaica is “consistent in its support for 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, in reference to 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 most important to achieve “a permanent solution,” stressing that “we remain convinced that this can only be achieeved 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 come April 2024.
This means people who shop online and import items through courier agencies will be able to purchase items valued at US $100 without being charged custom fees.
Additionally, the threshold for Jamaicans returning at the airport with goods bought overseas will move to US $1,000 up from US $500.
The finance minister said parliament will begin the process of reviewing a 1,000 page Customs Bill to repeal and replace the old bill from 1945 to ensure that Jamaica has a modern and efficient customs.
He says when the bill is passed, bureaucracy at the ports and airports 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 it 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, 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.
