For the upcoming legislative year the Government will continue its push towards Jamaica transitioning to a republic and will also move ahead with the implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) in its bid to provide each citizen with a unique digital identity.

These are some of the priority areas for the new fiscal year highlighted by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in the Throne Speech during the ceremonial opening of Parliament on Thursday.

Jamaica is seeking to become a republic by the next general election in 2025 and it is expected that legislation will be enacted to enable this transition. The process will include a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament along with a referendum.

The governor general noted that during 2023/2024, the Government implemented critical aspects of the Road to Republic Public Education Programme with more than 70 stakeholder meetings, as well as five town hall meetings in St James, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, and Portland.

“The Government continues with the preparation of the Constitution of Jamaica (Amendment of Section 61) Bill to modernise the Words of Enactment, as the first legislative step in a proposed series of amendments intended to give effect to a constitution enacted by the Parliament and approved by the people of Jamaica,” he said.

Further, noting that a unique digital identity for Jamaicans is a critical building block for a digital society, the governor general said that in 2023, the Government finalised the development of the national identification regulations and successfully completed a pilot of the system. He said that in 2024 the National Identification and Registration Authority will be operationalised to commence enrolment and issue national identification cards.

“More government services will be made easily accessible online through use of the electronic national ID card, to enhance productivity and growth,” Sir Patrick said.

The Government, he added, is continuing the renovation and upgrading of post offices islandwide to serve as enrolment centres for the national ID, as well as digital support centres. As such, design work for 23 post office renovations has been completed, and contracts have been approved for 12 modifications.

Turning to other priority areas, the governor general said that in 2024 the Government will further strengthen financial sector regulations and key legislation, including the Customs Act, which, having gone through a joint select committee, is expected to be taken shortly; Private Sector Pensions Act, which forms part of the pension reform process; Income Tax Relief (Large-Scale Projects and Pioneer Industries) Act, which will make provisions under one legislation for fiscal incentives for large-scale projects; and amendments to the Financial Services Act to develop a regime for the consolidated supervision of non-deposit-taking institutions and facilitate the regulatory framework for the Twin Peaks Model of Financial Regulation.

Additionally, he said that for the new legislative year, the Government will revise various key pieces of health-related legislation to include the Tobacco Control Bill, which will enable Jamaica to be in compliance with its international obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC); and The Food and Drugs (Amendment) Bill, which will allow for the effective regulation of natural health products, including nutraceuticals.

Importantly, amendments will also be made to the Nurses and Midwives Act and the Pharmacy Act to legalise the role of advanced practice registered nurses and enable family nurse practitioners and mental health psychiatric nurse practitioners in Government health centres and University Hospital of the West Indies, to prescribe a list of pharmaceuticals as approved by the Pharmacy Council.

Further, the governor general said significant changes are anticipated for some high-impact legislations, namely: Jamaica Teaching Council Bill; Amendments to the Education Act and Regulations; and The Overseas Examinations Commission (Amendment) Bill.

Also, during financial year 2024/2025 a key legislative priority will be the amendments to the Companies Act. The draft Bill is being finalised. The amendments, the governor general said, are expected to strengthen the efficiency and operation of companies in Jamaica to create an enabling environment for business.