MINISTER PICKERSGILL ADDRESSES POST SECTORAL PRESS CONFERENCE

From left to right, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alwin Hales, Minister Robert Pickersgill and Mrs. Elsa-May Binns, Senior Director, Policy Planning and Evaluation.

Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, Hon. Robert Pickersgill held a press conference at the Maxfield Avenue Corporate Office of the Ministry on Wednesday, July 5, 2006.

Following his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in parliament on Wednesday, July 4, the Minister used the opportunity to field questions from journalists who were present. Journalists from various media houses asked questions of the Minister; these covered a number of areas ranging from housing, rail service, transport, road safety, toll rates and attendant matters, the Road Maintenance Fund as well as road construction. The Minister explained that no report would have been tendered by him, on behalf of the water and works sector as the respective Ministers of State ( Ferguson and Azan) would deal with such matters.

In dealing with the JUTC, Minister Pickersgill noted that the company experience increased revenue of $2.73B, which was $45M more than the same period last year. He went on to say that in the wake of a 30% increase in regular bus fares granted last August, the company achieved a small profit in September 2005 and January 2006. He said that this was however eroded by operational expenses which grew by $25M from $3.02B in 2004/05 to $3.27B at the end of the last fiscal year. There was also an 8% improvement in the revenue recovery ratio which moved from 75.5 % in the previous year to 83.47% , the highest level in the Company’s history …reflecting more stringent controls at the fare box.

In terms of Housing, Minister Pickersgill said that it is projected that in the financial year 2006/7 an additional $150M will be provided allowing another 15,000 families to benefit. He noted too, that the Jamaica Mortgage Bank will continue to facilitate the provision of affordable shelter and has committed $2.5B for the construction of 2, 910 housing solutions during the 2006/07 financial year.

For Operation Pride some 3,076 completed solutions will be delivered from 13 schemes at a cost of $1.2B. A sales target of 1,545 solutions has been established and deposits on 1,662 lots are projected.

For the Transport Authority a total income of $323M for the financial year 2005/06 was $48M more than the previous year but total expenses stood at $294M, some $8M less than last year. Also, the Ministry has undertaken a comprehensive review of the 1938 Road Traffic Act and Regulations.

In the case of the Road Maintenance Fund, it is proposing to spend more than $612M in this financial year for road related repairs, which will include routine maintenance, crack sealing, drainage, road junction improvement, markings, signs beautification and some emergency conditions.

Listening intently at the Press Conference are Mr. Dennis Morrison, (left) Chairman of the AAJ and Mr. Desmond Munroe, Chief Technical Director.

At the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, during the current fiscal year they undertake to install a new fixed telecommunications switch. This will allow for the implementation of the computerized Air Traffic Management Handling System which will facilitate the electronic exchange of aeronautical messages between airlines and air traffic services. The Authority aims to also construct two stand-alone control towers at the Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airports as part of the current expansion and modernisation programmes at both sites.

As part of its strategy to promote the efficient use of resources, AEROTEL is currently designing a Network Operations Centre (NOC) to centralize the monitoring and control of all remote sites and equipment. This project will be self-financed. AEROTEL has also successful extended its core business and diversified its income sources by providing consultancies, system integration, maintenance services and the rental of space towers.

By march 2007, in time for Jamaica’s hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup, major rehabilitation and upgrading of the arrivals area will be completed. Additionally, work on Phase 1A of the Airport Development Programme is scheduled for completion in late 2007 and will feature: A new departures building at the eastern end of the present terminal; a new three level building will accommodate security screening stations, outgoing immigration and a new departure lounge with expanded retail concessions, among other first world features.

Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) will have as their operational priorities for 2006/07 as (a) developing the Jamaica Ship Registry (b) promoting the shipping Centre concept (c) Strengthening the legal framework governing the maritime sector.

In the case of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), APM Terminals, managers of the Kingston Container Terminals, reported that the Terminal ranked 4th in productivity for the month of February 2006 and was consistently in the top ten of the 39 terminals which the company operates worldwide. Also, under the ‘Declaration of Principles’ cargo shipped from designated ports in Jamaica should soon be allowed entry to the US as domestic cargo, under the American Container Security Initiative programme.