Throne Speech | Changes coming for driver's licence system

Governor General Patrick Allen today delivered the Throne Speech, which outlined the Government’s plans and programmes for the upcoming financial year.

Here are highlights from the speech.

* This year, the Transport Authority Act will be amended to allow for a new system to be implemented to address renewal of licences on birthdays and extended licence.

* The Government will be developing a National Policy for the Reduction of the Harmful use of Alcohol.  The main objectives of the Policy will be to regulate the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of alcoholic products, strengthen the health response to the harmful use, reduce road traffic accidents as a result of the use of alcohol and to monitor and evaluate the public health surveillance measures.

*Last September, PATH commenced the payment of a “Back to School Grant” with approximately J$560M disbursed through this new initiative, with 160,000 students receiving grants of J$3,500 each. This will be an annual benefit paid to school children on PATH in the month of August.

In order to promote financial inclusion, improve administrative efficiency, and reduce costs while ensuring greater accessibility and ease of collecting benefits, the Government will be fully implementing the automated/electronic payments to some 128,000 PATH beneficiary families. The Government will also undertake a programme to transition PATH families from welfare to work.

*The Jamaica Fire Brigade will acquire eight (8) pumpers in the 2019/20 financial year. The Agency will also acquire 20 Life Rafts for flooding and swift water rescue. This equipment will strengthen the Brigade’s ability to respond to emergencies across the country.

* The Apprenticeship Act and the National Youth Service (NYS) Act will be repealed and the functions of the Apprenticeship Board, the NYS, and the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning will be vested in the HEART Trust.

*The Government continues to work assiduously to address the challenges being faced currently and will shortly announce some interim measures to improve the provision of consistent, potable water to the areas affected.

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