Audrey Marks | From Resilience to Resurgence

Building a Faster, Smarter, and More Connected Jamaica

Ambassador Audrey Marks, the Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, made her first contribution to sectoral debate in the Lower House.

Below is her full address:

Introduction & Salutations

I rise today to make my first contribution in this Honourable House as Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern, and as Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister.

First, let me express my sincere appreciation to our Prime Minister, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, for his leadership and for the confidence he has placed in me to help advance an agenda vital to Jamaica’s future.

An agenda grounded in efficiency, advanced through innovation, and delivered through digital transformation—made possible by the collective leadership of my Cabinet colleagues, the strategic stewardship of our ministries, departments and agencies, and the unwavering dedication of Jamaica’s public servants.

Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking the people of Manchester North Eastern and acknowledging those who have travelled to be in the gallery today. From day one, you embraced me as family. You opened your homes. You shared your hopes, concerns, and aspirations for your communities and your children.

You chose Jamaica and sent me to this Honourable House to serve as your Member of Parliament. 

So, to the people of Manchester North Eastern, it is an honour to represent you, and I will continue to serve you with dedication, humility, and purpose.

Mr. Speaker, allow me to acknowledge and recognise the Honourable Audley “Man-a-Yard” Shaw, who dedicated more than 30 years of service to the people of Manchester North Eastern and to Jamaica.

Mr. Shaw served as Member of Parliament, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Minister of Transport and Mining, and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. His contribution to national development has been significant, and I thank him for his years of service to the Jamaican people.

I also extend my gratitude to Councillor Omar Miller, my dedicated workers, supervisors, constituency team, trusted advisors, and the committed members of my security and transport team—an extraordinary family of service providers whose tireless sacrifices, unwavering loyalty, and relentless hard work have carried me every step of this journey. 

Special appreciation to my Permanent Secretary, General Rocky Meade and the OPM team, to Agency Heads; Dr. Warren Vernon, Executive Director of The National Identification and Registration Authority; Mrs. Anika Shuttleworth, Chief Information Officer of the Information and Communications Technology Authority; and Mr. Lincoln Allen, Postmaster General of Jamaica Post. Your partnership, dedication, and shared commitment to public service are instrumental in driving the modernisation of Jamaica and advancing a stronger, more resilient future for our people.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the partnership with the World Bank Group, the Inter-American Development Bank and the EU Mission for their invaluable support in advancing Jamaica’s critical efficiency initiatives. Their collaboration has played a vital role in strengthening the frameworks, financing, planning, and institutional support necessary to modernise public service delivery, improve governance, and accelerate national development.

Mr. Speaker, I extend profound gratitude to my family, who have so selflessly shared me with the people of Jamaica. Your unwavering love, patience, sacrifice, and steadfast support have been my strength. 

I also extend sincere appreciation to my parliamentary colleagues on both sides of this Honourable House, recognising that nation-building is strongest when guided by shared purpose, constructive partnership, and our collective commitment to advancing Jamaica and the well-being of its people.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today not only as a representative for Manchester North Eastern but as a servant of the Jamaican people — guided by a clear mandate to modernise how the government works, expand opportunity through technology, and ensure that progress reaches every community across Jamaica. 

This moment is both an honour and a responsibility, and I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me to serve the people of Jamaica at such a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey.

Mr. Speaker, today I will present to this Honourable House, to every Jamaican across this nation, and to our brothers and sisters throughout the Diaspora, how the Government’s Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development (SPEED) agenda is driving Jamaica beyond resilience and boldly into an era of national resurgence.

Mr. Speaker, Jamaica’s transformation is no longer a matter of choice—it is an urgent national imperative. The world is evolving rapidly, and if we are to secure our place, protect our future, and unlock our full potential, we must move with speed, and determination.

Mr. Speaker, I can report to this Honourable House that Jamaica is rising to meet this challenge of changing times. Let me start with the work of the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICT Authority). 

Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA)

Last year, in April 2025, the Authority was formally operationalised with a clear mandate to strengthen governance, accelerate digital transformation, and bring greater coordination to how technology is managed across Government… And we are already starting to see the results one year later. 

First, as was announced by the Prime Minister last year, the Electronic Motor Vehicle Registration (eMVRC) and Digital Fitness Certificates are now a reality.

The Government successfully modernised Jamaica’s motor vehicle registration system by transitioning from the traditional physical documents to electronic Motor Vehicle Registration and Digital Fitness Certificates. 

Mr. Speaker, to date, more than 1.1 million motor vehicle registrations have already been processed online, reflecting a real and measurable impact of digital transformation in this space. This platform goes beyond simply converting paper processes into digital ones—it is reshaping how citizens experience government services. 

Jamaicans can now receive timely notifications whenever their certificates are nearing expiration, allowing them to stay compliant without uncertainty or last-minute stress. Renewals are also fully available online, enabling citizens to complete the process quickly and conveniently from wherever they are, without standing in long lines at the Tax Office. This is a modern Government in action.

Second, is the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), Mobile App

Through the TAJ Mobile App, citizens are now able to complete a range of transactions directly from their devices — including making tax payments and paying for other Government-related services such as police record applications, Tax Compliance Certificate applications, Driver’s License Applications, just to name a few.

So far, the mobile application has already attracted more than 40,398 users and counting.

Again, Mr. Speaker — This means completing transactions from the convenience of your home or office.

Third, is the Implementation of Digital Signature Services.

Although the Electronic Transactions Act was passed as far back as 2006, full national implementation required more than legislation—it demanded the digital infrastructure, governance systems, security architecture, and coordinated government execution necessary to transform law into everyday reality.

Two critical pillars of this transformation were the Electronic Transaction Signature Policy and the establishment of Jamaica’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which this Government has now successfully implemented. The PKI enables the issuance of secure electronic documents, creating the trust framework required for legally recognised digital transactions.

As such, with this infrastructure in place to support the legislation, I was pleased to announce the full implementation of electronic signatures across Government in March of this year, 2026— 20 years after the Act was first passed…This milestone marks a historic leap forward in national digital transformation because today digital signing allows documents to be securely executed electronically. This means people and businesses can now submit and receive authenticated documents at Government Offices without relying on paper or in-person visits for a ‘wet ink signature’.

So, instead of travelling from office to office, paying to print documents, making photocopies, physically stamping and certifying paperwork, Jamaicans will increasingly be able to complete important transactions electronically.

Less paper. Less waiting. Less bureaucracy. More efficiency for the Jamaican people.

Mr. Speaker, implementing the acceptance of electronic signature across government has been transformational for the Courts.

Since 2026, 322,364 traffic tickets have been issued. In 2025, 714,362 traffic tickets were issued with many ticket matters requiring a warrant to be signed and issued by a Judge.

Judges are now enabled to sign traffic ticket warrants electronically, and so far, approximately 103,089 traffic ticket warrants have been electronically signed by Judges.

Mr. Speaker, with digital signing of warrants, this means faster processing across the justice system and importantly, it frees up the judges’ time for other critical duties in the advancement of the justice process in Jamaica.

This is how digital transformation should work — not just digitising paperwork but improving how the Government functions and delivers services to people every day.

Mr. Speaker, the public can check their own traffic ticket status using the Government’s official traffic ticket digital service available at https://trafficticketlookup.gov.jm 

ICTA – PayGate

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Jamaica is also working to improve digital payments and financial inclusion.

I am pleased to share that the ICT Authority has successfully strengthened and modernised the Government’s secure online payment gateway, PayGate.

PayGate facilitates online payments in both Jamaican and United States dollars using Visa and MasterCard and integrates with the major local commercial banks for payment processing.

Notes: Last week at a Meeting of the Chambers of Commerce I was asked about adding Debit cards to the list of payment options, etc.

During this last financial year, six government entities were added to the platform and over 1million transactions were processed, enabling citizens to conveniently pay property tax, business taxes, motor vehicle fitness and registration fees, and other government charges through the TAJ online portal and mobile app. 

The Jamaica Customs Agency use of PayGate is allowing importers and brokers to pay customs duties, import permits, licenses and certificates electronically, reducing processing times and improving the ease of doing business.

The remaining transactions were processed by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and the Port Authority of Jamaica, demonstrating the growing adoption of digital payments across Government.

ICTA Priority Areas – Current Financial Year

I will now pivot to this financial year and share a few priority areas for the next phase of Jamaica’s digital transformation.

First, let me highlight the introduction of Jamaica’s Digital Document Wallet

Mr. Speaker, building on the multi-agency success of the Electronic Motor Vehicle Certificates, the government will introduce a Document Wallet.

This will allow citizens to securely store and share Government-issued documents electronically – including not only their Motor Vehicle Documents, but also Birth Certificates, their National Identification Card and any other Civic Document that they want to store in the wallet.

More Convenience and more Efficiency!

GovNotify — Integrated Government Notifications

Second, is GovNotify — Integrated Government Notifications

Mr. Speaker, GovNotify will centralize Government notifications and updates through email, SMS, and WhatsApp.

The people of Jamaica will be able to receive reminders for expiring passports, drivers’ licenses, and other important updates similar to notifications being received for motor vehicle registrations and fitness certificates. Because — we all need reminders sometimes!

These are not isolated initiatives. They represent a deliberate shift toward a government that is more efficient. But to deliver these services seamlessly and at scale, they must be connected. 

So, Mr. Speaker, I am very excited to share that last month, April 2026, we implemented The Jamaica Data Exchange Platform (JDXP). 

The JDXP, is a foundational pillar of our digital transformation agenda. At some point, every Jamaican has had to move from office to office carrying documents, repeatedly filling out the same forms, and waiting far too long just to get business done.

In government, there is a very powerful force called “Turf!” The JDXP represents a major shift from Turf to Joined Up Government –

From Data Silos → To Data Sharing
From Fragmented Systems → To Integrated Interoperable Government
From Slow Manual Processes → To Real-Time Seamless Services

The JDXP allows authorised government systems to exchange information electronically in a controlled and standardised way. It allows institutions to securely verify information directly at the source instead of requiring citizens to carry documents everywhere. 

Think of JDXP as a trusted digital bridge connecting Government agencies and businesses. Which means if you go to open a bank account, your identity can be verified in real time using your National Identification Card (NIC). 

No more JP Letter! No more reference forms! No more back and forth! No duplication! No delays! That is what is coming.

And Mr. Speaker, it is my intention that opening a bank account in Jamaica should move to first world standards — where accounts can be opened in under one hour. 

JDXP will make that possible and will also make possible a major new change in how business is done with the government – we are now able to introduce The Once-Only, Zero Bureaucracy Principle.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Jamaica should not be required to provide the same information to the Government repeatedly. Through the Once-Only principle being powered by the Jamaica Data Exchange Platform, information provided once to the Government can now be securely shared, with consent, and reused across multiple ministries, departments, and agencies—reducing duplication, improving efficiency, and delivering a more seamless, citizen-centred public service experience.

Mr. Speaker, these initiatives represent a deliberate and structured approach to modernising public services and improving the everyday experience of the Jamaican people. The foundation has been established. 

The systems are being integrated. And the direction is clear… 

Mr. Speaker, I will now move to the second part of my update — the work of the National Identification and Registration Authority – NIRA, formerly the Registrar General’s Department (RGD).

In today’s world, verifiable identity is what allows people to access jobs, banking services, healthcare, education, government services, and economic opportunity. If we are serious about reducing bureaucracy, improving efficiency, and modernising public services, then we must also modernise how identity and civil registration services are delivered.

Mr. Speaker, over the past year, NIRA has been quietly building the foundation for that transformation, and we are already starting to see meaningful results.

I would like to announce today that NIRA is Jamaica’s Newest 24/7 Online Government Service. 

NIRA is now among the first government services to provide 24/7 online access to all its essential services — whether you are at home, at work, or overseas in the Diaspora.

Jamaicans can now complete urgently needed transactions online, including applications for document recovery, birth certificates, death certificates, identification card applications, marriage certificates, renewals and many more.

These services deliver real and meaningful benefits to citizens by reducing administrative delays in critical areas such as school admissions, visa applications, bank loan approvals, insurance claims, and access to countless other essential services that Jamaicans depend on every day. This means less waiting, fewer obstacles, faster processing, and greater convenience for individuals and families seeking to improve their lives.

For businesses and institutions, these innovations create a stronger, more secure foundation for efficiency by enabling faster onboarding of employees and customers, improving identity verification, and strengthening fraud prevention measures.

Secondly, I would like to highlight NIRA’s Post-Hurricane Melissa Document Recovery Programme

Mr. Speaker, disasters have a cruel way of taking from people what they cannot easily replace. When someone loses a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or deed poll, they can lose access to jobs, banking services, healthcare, education, and even Government support.

That is why NIRA operationalised a national Document Recovery Programme following Hurricane Melissa to provide rapid support to affected Jamaicans. To date, NIRA has processed 47,562 document recovery applications, helping thousands of Jamaicans rebuild their lives in the aftermath of disaster. Importantly, 856 of our most vulnerable citizens received these essential services free of cost, ensuring that compassion, dignity, and national support reached those who needed it most.

And, Mr. Speaker, recognising that hardship does not end with hurricanes, this vital programme has now been permanently institutionalised to support Jamaicans impacted by fires, floods, and other emergencies. This means that in times of crisis, citizens will continue to have reliable access to critical document recovery services—strengthening national resilience and ensuring no Jamaican is left behind. 

Access is also available online 24/7 at nira.gov.jm.

Mr. Speaker, the document recovery programme was piloted in my constituency, and now we are ready to expand to the other 62 constituencies. 

Members of Parliament would have received an email invitation to indicate their willingness to participate in the programme.  

Mr. Speaker, the National Identification Card project has also purchased Mobile Units that will be used for the Constituency Outreach Programmes aimed at bringing Government services closer to the people. 

The mobile units will be ready in June 2026.

NIRA will partner with Members of Parliament, Community-Based Organisations, Churches, Schools, and other bodies to bring registration and identification services to communities, so citizens won’t have to travel long distances or face unnecessary inconvenience just to access identity services.

Mr. Speaker — this is what it means to be a people-centred Government. 

Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to highlight the expansion of NIRA’s National Identification Card Enrollment Centres.

Over this past month, NIRA has also significantly expanded access so that Jamaicans can get a National Identification Card, beyond the Central Sorting Office on South Camp Road.

National Identification services are now being rolled out across:

1. Montego Bay (in Central St. James – Mr. Speaker), 
2. St. Ann’s Bay (in St. Ann North Eastern, Member Matthew Samuda)
3. Port Antonio (in Western Portland, Member Daryl Vaz) 
4. May Pen (in Clarendon Central Member Williams), 
5. Santa Cruz (in St. Elizabeth North Eastern, Member Jess) 
6. Mandeville (in Manchester Central Member Crawford), 
7. Twickenham Park (in St. Catherine South Central, Member Wheatley) 
8. Portmore (in St. Catherine Southern, member Fitz Jackson) and 
9. Downtown (in Kingston Central, Member Donovan Williams). 

These locations are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of this month.

The Savanna-la-Mar Registrar-General’s Department office was destroyed during Hurricane Melissa. Member from Central Westmoreland, in response, a new location is currently being renovated at the Savanna-la-Mar Post Office, with reopening scheduled for mid-July 2026. The new location is being configured to provide both civil registration and national identification services, as well as a modern post office banking hall.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to Savanna-la-Mar, many other post offices are presently being renovated by NIRA to provide both Civil Registration and national identification services. By July 2026, the service centers at Brown’s Town, Spaulding, Ocho Rios, St. Ann’s Bay, Falmouth, Lucea, Santa Cruz, and Montego Bay are scheduled for completion. 

My neighbour, **Member from North West Clarendon – Mr. Azan**, you have witnessed firsthand the significant transformation underway at the Spaulding Post Office—an investment that, upon completion, will deliver not only a modernised postal facility but also a state-of-the-art National Identification and Registration Centre. This development will expand access to essential government services directly to the people of the constituency and surrounding communities.

NIRA Priority Areas – Current Financial Year

Let me now highlight a few priority areas for the next phase of transformation at NIRA and the use of digital identification:

First, is the Planned integration of the National Identification Card as Proof that a person is licensed to drive.

Mr.  Speaker, the Government is advancing legislative changes to allow the National Identification Card to serve as legal proof that a person is licensed to drive.

This means Jamaicans with a National ID Card will be able to renew their driver’s licenses fully online without needing to print or collect a separate physical licence card every five years.

Instead of taking time away from work, travelling into urban centers, enduring lines, paying transportation costs, securing photographs, or making multiple visits simply to renew a driver’s licence, Jamaicans will increasingly have the opportunity to complete this essential process securely and conveniently online—wherever they are.

Mr. Speaker, the second Innovation from NIRA will be self-service.

By the end of this financial year, NIRA will begin introducing Instant services for civil registration documents.

Today, many Jamaicans must apply for documents, wait for processing, and then return another day for collection. Under this new model: One visit. One transaction. Same Day Documents!

The People of Jamaica will increasingly be able to apply, verify, pay, and receive documents within a single seamless process on the same day.

Mr. Speaker, this transformation will help reduce travel costs for citizens, ease traffic and congestion across our roadways—an issue that affects us all.

Third, NIRA is Building National Capacity 

Mr. Speaker, one of the most significant achievements of this year has been the establishment of the NIRA Learning Centre—a major investment in building the human capital required to power Jamaica’s modern identity and civil registration services. 

Already, 229 employees are actively enrolled in the National ID Professional Course, receiving specialized training to deliver world-class identification services, while an innovative digital training programme has also been developed to strengthen the capacity of more than 1,000Marriage Officers and Civil Registrars across Jamaica. 

This initiative is not only enhancing operational excellence today but is also building a highly skilled national workforce capable of sustaining Jamaica’s digital transformation for generations to come.

Finally, NIRA is Preserving National Records:

Mr. Speaker, the Government is advancing plans for a modern National Records Storage Facility to protect and preserve Jamaica’s civil records and important public records for future generations. National records are not just files. They are part of Jamaica’s identity.

As we move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to building a Jamaica where identity unlocks opportunity, protects dignity, and strengthens national development.

Because a stronger Jamaica begins with a secure identity and a secure identity begins at NIRA… from Birth to Death.

The Jamaica Post

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to move to the third part of my update — the Digital Transformation of Jamaica Post

During the Budget Debate, the Prime Minister signalled a clear direction for Jamaica Post to evolve beyond its traditional role. 

The Post Office is one of the largest Government service networks across the country, with over 400 Postal Points with deep reach into communities where many Jamaicans struggle to access services. That is why Jamaica Post is now being repositioned as a modern platform for digital access, Government services, logistics, and e-commerce opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, for many Jamaicans and businesses today, formal addresses are still non-existent, inconsistent, difficult to verify, or hard to locate — creating challenges for deliveries, logistics, emergency response, and e-commerce. 

As part of the effort to address this challenge, Jamaica Post has been collaborating with Yassuh Jamaica Limited on the development and pilot implementation of a digital postcode and address system intended to improve location identification and delivery efficiency. This initiative introduces a technology-enabled digital address framework that uniquely identifies locations and improves the efficiency of mail delivery, logistics services, and online commerce across Jamaica.

Providing every home, business and lot with an address reduces inefficiency and modernises national infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, Jamaica Post also expanded Express Mail Service access from 25 post offices to 66 locations islandwide during the last financial year.

Many of you, my colleagues, have reached out to me regarding elderly citizens and pension collection issues, and we are addressing that… 

However, the Post Office will be equally important to young people in Micro and small businesses, that is, online entrepreneurs, and members of the creative industry who rely on affordable, reliable access to international markets.

For many small business owners, access to shipping and logistics is not just a convenience. It is access to income. It is access to customers. It is access to growth.

I want to pause to mention Mr. Jermain Morgan and Rory Richards, two Jamaicans who operate Grocerylist, an online digital commerce and logistics platform that allows customers anywhere in the world to purchase items from supermarkets, pharmacies, farm stores, and restaurants across Jamaica and have them delivered the same day. 

Last year alone, Grocerylist facilitated over 500 million JMD in sales of local products and services, supporting Jamaican businesses, SMEs, entrepreneurs and communities across the island. 

Which is why, Mr. Speaker, Jamaica Post has secured and is implementing the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) solution to restore parcel and package delivery services to the United States.

When a Jamaican citizen sends a package to the United States, that package is subject to customs duties and taxes upon arrival. However, in the past, many small items under US$800.00 entered duty-free, i.e., benefited from a US$ 800.00 de minimis.  

However, changes introduced by the United States government last year removed the de minimis and effectively removed the duty-free treatment for international postal shipments entering the United States, which now require that those duties be calculated and paid before the package even leaves Jamaica.

Think of it like pre-clearing your parcel through US Customs from right here at home, so that when it arrives in the United States, there are no surprises, no delays, and no rejected shipments.

Jamaica Post has now put in place the system and partnerships to do exactly that: calculate the applicable duties, which are paid online and remitted directly to US Customs on behalf of the sender.

Mr. Speaker, because of this technological solution, Jamaica Post can now resume package and small packet delivery services to the United States market on June 1, 2026. 

This is extremely important for our MSMEs, our online entrepreneurs, and every Jamaican selling products internationally through digital platforms. It reopens a critical trade channel, supports business growth, and strengthens Jamaica’s participation in the global digital economy.

Jamaica Post Priority Areas – Current Financial Year

I will now highlight a few priority areas for the next phase of transformation at Jamaica Post.

First, is the One Stop Government Services Centre Initiative

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to announce the Government Service Centre Initiative being piloted by Jamaica Post. Through this initiative, Post Offices will increasingly become modern, one-stop service centres where citizens can access Government and Commercial services online, especially Jamaicans who may need assistance using digital platforms.

25 years ago, I had this idea and approached the then Minister with responsibility for the Post Offices with this idea and it started in a limited way, now it is really a special privilege to be in a position to drive the policies to maximise the potential of our Post Offices network.

In partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, the Government Service Centre initiative will first be launched at selected post offices across the island, with plans to expand even more with the NIRA-renovated post offices thereafter. In support of this initiative, the IDB will provide approximately $224 million in financial support, along with technical assistance. 

Mr. Speaker, this is about ensuring that no Jamaican is left behind in the digital age.

Secondly, Expanding EMS Across Jamaica

Mr. Speaker, Jamaica Post continues to expand Express Mail Service access across the country.

During this financial year, Express Mail Service (EMS) will expand to an additional 44 locations, increasing its national footprint to 100 post offices islandwide. By 2027/2028, the Department aims to further strengthen this critical service by expanding EMS to 150 postal locations across Jamaica—ensuring that every constituency has access to at least two EMS service points and bringing faster, more reliable postal services closer to communities nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, this also means more Jamaicans and more small businesses will have reliable access to faster international shipping and global markets from closer to where they live and operate.

Thirdly, Modernising and Restoring Postal Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, no transformation effort can succeed without modern infrastructure.

Many of our post offices have faced decades of deferred maintenance, compounded by severe damage from Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and Hurricane Melissa in 2025. In total, 108 Post Offices are significantly impacted.

But Mr. Speaker, restoration and modernisation efforts are now fully underway to rebuild stronger, smarter, and more resilient services for the Jamaican people.

Twenty-five (25) affected locations are targeted for repair during this financial year, while under the NIDS Project, 23 post offices are being comprehensively refurbished and modernised. Under NaRRA, we will be able to complete all 108 post offices.

To date, four locations — the Central Sorting Office, Liguanea, Mona, and Half-Way-Tree — have already been completed.

I will also share a bit on the Expansion of Connectivity and Public WiFi

Mr. Speaker, access to digital services depends on reliable internet connectivity. That is why Jamaica Post is securing grant funding, starting with the first J$6.8M from the Universal Postal Union to strengthen internet connectivity. This will cover nine Post Offices and include public WiFi access at five locations, and we will be choosing the most underserved and rural communities.

However, Mr. Speaker, this is about more than repairing buildings. It is about restoring access to services. It is about strengthening communities. Jamaica Post is becoming a modern national platform connecting people, businesses, and Government services in a more seamless and inclusive way.

And that is why, as a government, we are also taking decisive action to expand access.

So, I will take a few minutes to mention other major National Initiatives Across the Government.

Starting with the National Broadband Network. The NBN as currently designed represents a transformative national investment that is expected to connect up to 2,768government locations, including schools, while extending high-speed broadband access to approximately 490,000 homes across Jamaica—including 140,000 households in underserved communities. This initiative will significantly strengthen digital inclusion, expand access to opportunity, and help bridge Jamaica’s connectivity divide.

Mr. Speaker, the government has also recently signed with the Trans Americas Fibre System for a new Subsea Cable into Jamaica, this will dramatically increase Jamaica’s internet speed, with up to 20 terabits per second of bandwidth. The NBN project and the new Subsea Cable will dramatically strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, the goal is simple: to give every Jamaican better internet access at more affordable prices, so that whether someone lives in Kingston or the most remote community, they can learn, work, build a business, and turn great ideas into real opportunities that can uplift their family, transform Jamaica, and compete on the world stage.

There are other transformative digital initiatives happening across government, including the introduction of electronic property titles from the National Land Agency.

However, I must note, there is a great need to simplify and modernise the government services infrastructure. In going through and listening to all the stakeholders – Tourism Operators, Financial Services, Distributive Trade, Developers – all spoke of the regulatory burden From the Procurement process to Permits & Approvals at the Municipal Corporations to getting paid from the Government. 

This one is particularly painful; the government is the biggest supplier and consumer of goods and services in the country so many businesses have no choice but to do business with the government… jumping through hoops to qualify for the business and sometimes almost going into bankruptcy while waiting to be paid. Today I can assure businesses and service providers that this government is business friendly and change is coming. I will speak more of those individual solutions now in the pipeline in the post-conference, but today I want to share the most exciting reason why the government will be able to make these transformative changes in a shorter-than-expected timeline!

NARRA & Government of Jamaica Digital Twin

Mr. Speaker, if Hurricane Melissa had directly struck Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica’s devastation would have been far more severe, and recovery significantly delayed. The heart of government operations could have been wiped out! This reality makes one thing clear, strong physical infrastructure alone is not enough. Jamaica must also build resilient digital infrastructure to ensure government services, critical systems, and national operations to withstand hits and continue even in times of disaster.

As such, I am the biggest supporter of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). As a democracy, I have no issues with the debate to address concerns to ensure proper accountability and let me pause to acknowledge the work done by Minister Chuck, Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell, the Attorney General, the Solicitor General and the dedicated civil servants supporting and advising the legislative committee of the Cabinet.

I want to join the Prime Minister and my colleagues in assuring the nation that before this draft bill came to Parliament, we had numerous meetings and vigorous debates to ensure that the concerns of probity and accountability were matched, but not compromised, with the objective of efficiency.

Let me also commend the House Leader for all the meetings that were convened to ensure our Parliamentary team had every opportunity to ventilate their concerns and come to this Honourable House as a unified team to present and defend this worthwhile legislation.

So let me be clear, we have this one moment in time, to set Jamaica on a transformative path of planned, sustainable, resilient and efficient development and that is the singular purpose of NaRRA. 

Now let me share another reason why I am so excited about NaRRA. Last, year in one of my first meetings with the World Bank,  they shared a well-researched and documented Digitalisation Project for Jamaica and with their funding, we have been working on its implementation.

In February of this year, we were invited by the EU and to look at how Europe has built climate resilience through the use of advanced technology, and I got fully exposed to the concept of Digital Twins which provided the answer for a resilient and efficient Government Digital Twin—to ensure Jamaica can remain operational, responsive, and resilient no matter the crisis and at the same time also complete the reform and modernization of our bureaucracy.

The Government Digital Twin Programme is a bold national initiative that will leverage the strategic efficiencies to create Jamaica’s Digital Parallel Government Ecosystem.

This means:

• A Government that operates physically and digitally.
• A Government that serves its people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• A Government that remains open, secure, and resilient under any circumstance.

Mr. Speaker, with a Digital Twin, combined with a secure sovereign cloud and strategic redundant data centres, government services will remain available regardless of Hurricanes, Floods, Pandemics, Infrastructure outages, Geographic barriers or Economic shocks. 

As such, I will now be working to put the Government Digital Twin project under NaRRA to supercharge its implementation. Again, with NaRRA, major national innovation and digital transformation projects can be assessed and implemented on a timely basis to benefit Jamaicans. 

This will work to reduce the high levels of duplication – particularly where they are costly.

Every digital public service will move through a disciplined process:

Concept → Prototype → Security Testing → Production → National Rollout

Mr. Speaker, this is how Jamaica will move decisively from years of delay to a future of faster, smarter, and more responsive public service delivery. 

Through this framework, longstanding challenges in procurement, permits and licenses, regulatory coordination, and government payments will be systematically transformed—unlocking greater efficiency, reducing frustration, and creating a modern government that works better for every Jamaican.

Mr. Speaker, with NaRRA as the anchor for the Government Digital Twin, it is my intention to make interacting with the government so efficient, my current job will become redundant!

Innovation – National Solutions Registry

Mr. Speaker, As I come to a close, I want to highlight and thank the Prime Minister for including innovation as part of my portfolio responsibility. Having lived experience as a young innovator, where I was hard-pressed from all sides, and feeling beaten down by the system. I want to ensure that no other Jamaican entrepreneur, innovator or pioneer faces the same difficulty I faced many years ago. 

Mr. Speaker, I know that this Andrew Holness led Government is friendly to Businesses, Entrepreneurs and Innovators. Without innovation, Jamaica cannot achieve its growth agenda. To grow like first world economies, we must support those small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, reducing bureaucracy, improving efficiency and enabling digital transformation are necessary but without creating a framework under which innovation is supported, encouraged and celebrated, Jamaica will not grow as fast as we need it to grow. 

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to attend the Build, Innovate and Win Hackathon event by Intellibus and the JDF, at the National Arena where over 750 young, energetic and innovative Jamaicans turned out to create prototypes and conceptualise solutions to real-life problems in 24 hours across multiple sectors. I was blown away by the solutions they came up with, and I believe that we must institutionalise this approach to innovation where we develop our local talent, support them and help them commercialise ideas and business.  

Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned so many times and will mention again, Silicon Valley is not just a place; it is a culture that supports innovators and pioneers. That culture can and will be replicated in Jamaica. 

That is why, I am happy to announce today, that the Government intends to establish a National Solutions Registry to provide Jamaicans with a direct platform to identify and submit innovative ideas and practical solutions to the challenges they face. Those recommendations will be reviewed and routed to the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for action. This initiative will help transform citizen feedback into tangible government responsiveness, problem-solving, and national innovation.

And to do this, the Government will mobilise Jamaican talent locally and abroad; Partner with universities, engage private innovators, accelerate deployment and build national innovation pipelines.

Conclusion

Mr. Speaker, the mandate of the responsibility that I lead – Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation is meant to cut across all Ministries, Agencies, and Departments within the Government of Jamaica. Our purpose is aligning all of government to partner, collaborate and execute on projects and solutions so that the Government, taken as a whole, becomes more efficient in how we operate and extend services to citizens.

In so doing we will facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship to grow the economy and, most importantly, ensure that Jamaica becomes a digital society. 

I look forward to working with every Minister, every spokesperson, every civil servant and every Jamaican to ensure that at the end of this 3rd term – Jamaica will be able to compete with Singapore with Efficiency as a Resource just as important as oil and minerals.

Mr. Speaker, the journey from resilience to resurgence is steadily advancing. Strong foundations are being laid, critical systems are being progressively modernised as we continue building a government that moves with greater SPEED — delivering faster services, expanding opportunity, and improving the everyday lives of the Jamaican people.

Mr. Speaker, as I close I want to share a message that I received from a group of returning residents in my constituency.

The message is clear – as Parliamentarians, we have been entrusted with one of the highest responsibilities in public life — to be the Representatives, The Voice of our constituents, the people of Jamaica. 

Today, we have spoken extensively about Government Process and Government Technology efficiency, innovation, and digital transformation. But true transformation must also be reflected by Public Servants, starting with those at the highest level of representation and on show every week, in how we conduct ourselves within this Honourable House.

Efficiency is not only about technology. It is also about how we communicate. How we collaborate. How we disagree respectfully, how we respect the will of the People and how we lead by example. The Jamaican people are always watching us. Especially in this digital age, our words, our conduct, and our interactions often extend far beyond these walls.

We therefore have a responsibility to demonstrate the level of civility, professionalism, discipline, and mutual respect that we hope to see reflected across our nation. Because leadership is not only exercised through policy. Leadership is also exercised through example.

Mr. Speaker, the work before us is too important for unnecessary hostility or political theatre. The Jamaican people expect leadership. They expect maturity. And they expect results.

Let us therefore continue working together — Government and Opposition alike — to build a Jamaica that is more efficient, more innovative, more resilient, and more united.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.