Cabinet to consider cybersecurity council as PPV fares rise and hurricane readiness expands

Cabinet is to receive a proposal for a National Cybersecurity Coordination and Assurance Council as Jamaica prepares a new cybersecurity law, Science, Technology and Special Projects Minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley announced during his 2026-2027 Sectoral Debate presentation on Tuesday.

The proposed council would operate for two years as the main body coordinating Jamaica’s cybersecurity posture. Its work is expected to include a national cybersecurity portal, a legislative gap review, drafting instructions for a new National Cybersecurity Act and coordinated deployment of backed funding to standardise rules across the public sector. Wheatley said the law would put a National Cybersecurity Directorate on a statutory footing, protect critical information infrastructure, set minimum standards for regulated sectors, and require incident reporting, vulnerability disclosure and regulation of local cybersecurity service providers.

Cabinet has also approved a 16 per cent increase in fares for public passenger vehicle operators. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said the adjustment will be applied in two 8 per cent phases: the first from June 2 and the second from July 1. Vaz said phasing the increase was meant to limit the inflationary shock. The Transport Authority warned operators to charge only approved fares, saying breaches could lead to enforcement action, including suspension or revocation of road licences. Reports may be made at 876-926-8912 or by WhatsApp at 876-551-8196 or 876-279-8515.

Ambassador retired Major General Anthony Anderson, the new head of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, said his engineering and construction background helped prepare him for the role. Anderson cited command of the Jamaica Defence Force engineer regiment during hurricanes Gustav and Ivan, management of about 250 projects, work with the National Housing Trust on inner-city housing and construction of bases. NARA’s immediate work includes post-Hurricane Melissa reconstruction, especially housing support for people still in poor conditions, while building the agency’s systems, staffing and standards.

The Office of Utilities Regulation has asked major utility companies for annual business continuity plans, insurance details for hazardous events and stronger customer communication arrangements ahead of the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Director General Ansord Hewitt said the sector has not fully recovered from Hurricane Melissa. The OUR also approved a new JPS insurance framework providing US$106.6 million in hurricane coverage through CCRIF and Desco’s insurance, alongside the Electricity Disaster Fund.

In Rocky Point, Clarendon, the National Solid Waste Management Authority launched Operation CALM, covering clearing, advising, leveraging and maintaining. The programme will target 94 flood-prone communities with bulky waste removal and public education. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie urged Jamaicans to stay ready, saying one storm can disrupt everything.