KINGSTON, Jamaica —Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams, has outlined how the Government plans to spend the $3.5 billion earmarked for postal operations and courier services for fiscal year 2025/2026.

Speaking at the Standing Finance Committee of the House meeting on Thursday, Williams reiterated the Government’s ongoing commitment to modernising and improving postal and courier services across Jamaica.

“This substantial budget underscores our dedication to ensuring that postal agencies across Jamaica are equipped to provide efficient and reliable services to all citizens,” the minister said.

“These funds are primarily directed towards the renovation and expansion of post offices, creating modern and accessible spaces for the public,” she added.

The minister also reported significant progress from the previous fiscal year.

“In fiscal year 2024/25, we completed major renovations at five locations and minor renovations at 15. We also focused on enhancing customer experience by installing air-conditioning units and public broadcasting service systems in select post offices,” she noted.

Looking ahead, the plan for the 2025/26 fiscal year includes major renovations at six post offices and minor renovations at 15 more.

“We have allocated $134.6 million to repair six key post offices – St Ann’s Bay, Negril, Montego Bay, Sandy Bay, Stony Hill, and Half-Way Tree,” the minister said.

The budget also makes provisions for essential infrastructure upgrades to support the postal service’s operational efficiency.

“To ensure the smooth functioning of our facilities, we are procuring two elevators and upgrading the fire suppression system for the Central Sorting Office,” she noted.

Williams also highlighted the collaborative efforts with the National Identification System (NIDS) programme.

“The NIDS programme is utilising our post offices for the distribution of the national ID, and in many cases, they undertake significant renovation work to accommodate this important service. I’m pleased to announce that the Greater Portmore and Constant Spring post offices will be supported by the NIDS programme, further enhancing their capacity to serve the public,” she said.

The minister emphasised that these investments directly support the Engineering Services Unit, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the electrical and mechanical facilities at the central sorting office and post offices islandwide.

“Our commitment to the postal service is unwavering,” Williams stressed.

“These strategic investments will not only improve the physical infrastructure but also enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of postal operations, ensuring that we continue to meet the evolving needs of the Jamaican people,” she said.

-JIS