Customs Act for Joint Select Committee

THE Customs (Amendment) Act, which seeks to facilitate implementation of best practices and standards by Jamaica Customs, has been sent to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for consideration.

The Joint Select Committee will be chaired by the Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips.

Other members are: Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton; Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr Morais Guy; Fitz Jackson, government MP; Opposition Spokesperson on finance and planning, Audley Shaw; and Opposition MP Delroy Chuck; and members of the Senate — Wensworth Skeffery, Sophia Frazier Binns and Norman Grant (Government) and Arthur Williams and Dr. Christopher Tufton (Opposition).

The Bill, which was tabled in the House of Representatives last Tuesday by Dr Phillips provides for the establishment of “a framework for the efficient movement of goods through the ports, in anticipation of a logistic-centred Jamaican economy”.

According to the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, the amendments to the original Act are intended to ensure that importers and exporters will be able to conduct legitimate business in a more efficient environment, and that effective penalties are imposed on persons who operate contrary to the customs laws.

The changes should also support the operation of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA World), which was established by the Customs Amendment Act, 2014.

Insurance Placement 2015/2016- National Housing Trust

Cabinet has approved the placement of insurance coverage for the remainder of the current financial year 2015/2016, through the use of the emergency procurement method by the National Housing Trust (NHT), for the NHT’s risks as follows:

1) Houseowners Comprehensive portfolio with Jamaica National General Insurance Company Limited, at a cost of US$7,355,134.00;

2) Commercial All Risks portfolio with Jamaica National General Insurance Company Limited, British Caribbean Insurance Company Limited and Jamaica Insurance Company Limited, at a cost of J$25,440,448.15; and

3) Crime and Internet Banking portfolio with Antares Underwriting Limited Lloyds Syndicate 1274, at a cost of US$58,684.93.

Insurance coverage is being procured to secure the assets of the company and enable protection from liabilities and potential future losses.

Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) Water Supply Improvement Programme

Cabinet has approved the award of a contract in the amount of US$7,234,646.54 to Deryck A Gibson Limited for the procurement of 50,000 5/8″ Solid State Cold Water Meters and 25,000 brass valves.

The Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) Water Supply Improvement Programme seeks to improve the quality of services provided to the KMA and selected urban areas and to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the National Water Commission (NWC). The programme involves the rehabilitation of reservoirs and water treatments plants, reduction of non-revenue water (NRW), improvement of energy efficiency and related works in the KMA and selected urban areas, as well as institutional strengthening of the NWC.

Rehabilitation of Lakes Pen Road, St Catherine

Cabinet has approved the award of a contract in the amount of J$46,066,580.50 to Asphaltic Concrete Enterprise Limited for the rehabilitation of the Lakes Pen Road in St Catherine.

The Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, through the National Works Agency, is undertaking the rehabilitation of the Lakes Pen Road in the parish of St Catherine which is in urgent need of repair. The Lakes Pen road corridor is a heavily trafficked route to and from Spanish Town, Portmore, Kingston, St Andrew and its environs. The road is frequently used by motorists to bypass the Mandela Highway to access the Portmore Leg of Highway 2000. The corridor is also used to access the Wisynco Group Distribution Complex.

Compiled by Balford Henry, Senior staff reporter