Jamaica: 700 new jobs to be created in the next few days – Simpson-Miller

Jamaica Prime Minister., Portia Simpson-Miller. PHOTO/File

(Barbados Nation) – In a few days Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller says the government will create approximately 700 jobs when the much talked about Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) begins rolling.

Speaking at today’s first meeting of the Peoples’ National Party (PNP) National Executive Council (NEC) since its landslide victory in the December 29 general election, Simpson-Miller announced that the government would launch a small part of the programme on Wednesday. She revealed that the jobs will be created across seven parishes.

However, Simpson-Miller declined to give details on the programme, but said that the government would be providing incentives to private sector companies that participate in its implementation.

She said that other aspects of the programme would be unveiled in the days ahead, particularly in the areas of agriculture and information and communication technology.

Simpson-Miller also revealed that Agriculture and Fisheries minister Roger Clarke would announce the details of continuing talks with local and foreign investors about creating jobs in that industry in parliament.

Meanwhile, Simpson-Miller has put supporters and candidates in the upcoming local government election on alert. Local government elections, which were postponed several times last year, are due by March this year.

Responding to recent comments by opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) leader Andrew Holness, Simpson-Miller told supporters attending today’s meeting of the NEC in Ocho Rios, St Ann that they should prepare for victory at the polls once again. She said it was time for Jamaicans to be liberated and empowered.