KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Cabinet has approved an allocation of $2.57 billion for the National Security Ministry over what was initially tabled in the Budget, for consideration by the Finance and Public Service Minister.

According to Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator Ruel Reid, this is to facilitate activities associated with Zones of Special Operations and provide additional resources required by the security forces in the fight against crime.

These, the Minister pointed out, include: vehicles, CCTV systems and body cameras.

“This is a very substantial allocation that we think the Ministry will be using very strategically to ensure that we bring the scourge of crime in Jamaica under control,” Reid added.

 The minister was speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House on July 19.  

 The Security Ministry received initial allocations of $56.4 billion for recurrent expenditure and $4.25 billion for capital projects.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness will chair a meeting of the National Security Council at Jamaica House on July 20.

Among the issues expected to be discussed, according to Press Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Naomi Francis, is the Zones of Special Operations legislation, which was passed with 31 amendments by the House of Representatives and Senate, and which is awaiting the governor-general’s  signature for gazetting.      

Cabinet also approved an increase in the 2017/18 Budget of $300.27 million in grants.

Senator Reid said this is to facilitate the implementation of projects and other activities pending regulation of the adjustment in the 2017/18 Supplementary Estimates as follows: additional provision totalling $77.14 million to ongoing projects/activities; and a new provision of $223.12 million in relation to projects/activities recommended by the Public Investment Management Committee.