KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has welcomed the announcement made by Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, that all of the judgment debts incurred by the State have been settled.

Chuck in his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament last Tuesday said the Andrew Holness led administration paid out $1,309,790,000, which allowed the administration to settle 303 matters.

The minister also noted that for the previous fiscal year (2017/2018), the Government disbursed compensation to 418 people affected by the May 2010 security forces operations in West Kingston.

A sum of $55.84 million was paid to victims directly while $134.57 million was transferred to the Administrator General’s Department to compensate the estates of deceased persons.

In a release today, the PSOJ said equal rights and justice are essential to a peaceful democracy and efficient management of due process.

It added that timely and certain results are encouragements to investment and growth of business confidence.

The organisation also expressed optimism of the positive developments in the provisions of modern and appropriate infrastructure for the administration of the law by the courts.

“We are heartened by recent commitments to the expedition of the due process of judicial matters in Jamaica’s courthouses. The continued supports for Jamaica’s international partners, as well as the support and respect for human rights by this administration, are commendable,” the PSOJ said.

It also said it supports the efforts by Chuck to secure a greater allocation of the country’s national budget and to bring more efficient management to Jamaica’s judicial affairs and stand ready to assist to the best of our ability in securing those outcomes.

“The PSOJ remains committed to working with the government on the issues that will positively impact the economic and social development of the nation, and in particular to improve the business and investment environment, which is the foundation of confidence.”