US initiated third country nationals talks with Jamaica, ministers say in Friday policy updates

Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon has stated that Jamaica’s third country nationals (TCN) arrangement began after the United States approached the government, in line with similar requests made to other countries. Speaking during a JIS ministerial update with CEO Giovanni Dennis, she said negotiations followed that request and have produced a memorandum of understanding, though some operational details are not yet finalised.

Morris Dixon also rejected suggestions that the TCN programme is tied to separate discussions about recruiting skilled workers from overseas. She said talks involving Minister Marks about bringing nurses, doctors and other professionals from countries including the Philippines, Ghana and Nigeria had been wrongly conflated with the TCN framework.

Jamaica has signed an MOU to facilitate the transit of individuals transferred from the United States through Jamaica en route to final destinations, with an agreed quota of 25 persons at any one time.

Forty residents of Akiewalk and Jacksons Town in St. Andrew received land titles on Thursday. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said the push to formalise property ownership recognises citizens’ rights and addresses long-standing tenure problems in a practical way. “For many families, land is the most and sometimes the only asset that they will ever have,” he said. Minister Robert Montague urged Jamaicans to secure titles lawfully and avoid squatting, adding: “You’re getting hope, you’re getting opportunity, you’re getting security, and you’re getting something for dead left your children.”

The government is proposing a drainage plan for Catherine Hall in St. James following flooding linked to Hurricane Melissa. Works Minister Robert Morgan said technical assessments found rainfall exceeded 350 millimetres in 24 hours, with peak intensities reaching 295 millimetres per hour, and Montego River flows consistent with a 500-year return period event that far exceeded existing infrastructure capacity. The plan sits within the wider Montego River flood control programme and the Montego Bay perimeter road project.

Morgan also challenged claims that the state underinvests in local contractors, citing roughly US$1.2 billion spent on infrastructure over 15 years through programmes including the JDP, MDP and SHIP, with about US$700 million going to local firms. Industry Minister Senator Aubyn Hill said steps to address recent cement shortages, including increased imports and approved additional suppliers, are restoring market stability as construction activity rebounds after the hurricane.

Morris Dixon said a special needs policy for Jamaica is set to go before cabinet soon, with work informed by international best practices discussed at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference. Grade 6 Primary Exit Profile results will be released on Monday, June 22, with schools receiving them at noon and parents and guardians gaining access from 2:00 p.m. at dpisonline.com.