Current Affairs

Current Affairs

The PNP's shelter proposals

Jamaica Gleaner
Thursday, September 26, 2002

THE PNP has distinguished itself for having provided the most housing solutions to the greatest number of Jamaicans. Building on this solid foundation, the People's National Party will in the next term:

• Improve further on its impressive record of providing the largest number of affordable houses to the people of Jamaica
• Advance Government/Private Sector partnerships through the joint venture programme, which will provide thousands with houses;
• Provide housing opportunities to many more of our people through the National Housing Develop-ment Corporation, the Sugar Lands Housing Programme, and completion of Relocation 2000;
• The development of a new comprehensive township on lands in Inverness in Clarendon, the planning of which is already advanced with a number of private sector interests having already been confirmed.
• The continuation of the revitalised Operation PRIDE Project to provide land tenure to thousands more;
• A renewed emphasis on the development of affordable housing solutions by the National Housing Trust.

National is not simply a social benefit. It is an economic investment by homeowners, an investment that has a major impact on improving living standards and increasing productivity.

The PNP is proud of its achievement in significantly improving the quality of housing during the past decade, as reflected in the Housing Quality Index.

URBAN AND INNER-CITY RENEWAL

A major aspect of housing and other infrastructure development will be an initiative to breathe new life into our urban centres and inner-cities. This will include a number of projects such as:

• The Caracas Energy Agreement has provided funding for the programme started in 2001 to upgrade and renew the social and physical environment in 48 communities in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. This will create employment, micro-business financing, improve housing, sanitation and roads, as well as reduce crime and violence.
• Completion of Relocation 2000 in selected cities and towns islandwide.
• Implementing a major housing development project in Kingston and St. Andrew, as part of the Inner-City Communities Renewal Programme. A comprehensive programme of urban renewal is being developed, involving government, private sector and NGOs. Financing for the Inner City Renewal Programme has been raised from various international sources (Caracas Energy Accord, IDB/World Bank).

This Programme is complemented by the Urban Renewal (Tax Relief) Act, which provides special economic incentives to investors in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. We will:

• Continue implementation of the 3-year Kingston Restoration Company/IDB-funded Kingston Urban Renewal Project at a cost of J$3.5 billion
• Expand the Urban Renewal Tax Incentive Programme beyond Kingston and Montego Bay.

INTEGRATED TOURISM

In order to achieve sustained economic growth and consequently job creation, it is necessary to focus on those sectors that have the best possibilities for generating sustainable investment and export-related growth. In this regard, we will pursue an integrated Tourism Development Programme to add value to our abundant resources and build on Jamaica's comparative advantage.

Our development programme for the sector is geared towards moving the tourism product from a narrow focus on sun, sea and sand to the promotion of islandwide activity that offers a diversity of accommodation and novel, fulfilling visitor experiences.

Jamaica is blessed with a most extraordinary combination of a beautiful and natural environment, and a talented and vibrant people who have demonstrated their ability to create unique and powerful expressions of their rich, dynamic culture.

The PNP believes that our future economic development is inextricably linked to our ability to harness and develop these gifts and to package and promote them in a manner that maximises their inherent economic potential, while maintaining their integrity.

Our natural, cultural and built heritage, provide a major source of pride for nationals and form the basis for diverse economic activity.