2025/2026 Sectoral Debate opens in parliament this afternoon
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Durrant Pate/ Contributor
With the 2025/2026 Budget Debate out of the way, it’s time for the Sectoral Debate, which gets underway this afternoon at Gordon House.
The Sectoral Debate is the parliamentary forum where government ministers articulate their plans and programme of activities for the current fiscal year and give a report card on the performance of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) under their portfolio ministry.
Opposition Spokespersons are also given the opportunity to critique their portfolio ministers and the performance of MDAs under their stewardship, whilst putting forward suggestions and ideas they would roll out if their party forms the next administration.
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang and Member of Parliament (MP) for St James North Western, and Security will open this year’s Sectoral Debate and his presentation will be closely watched given growing concerns both locally and international about Jamaica’s high crime rate.
He is expected to deliver a positive report card to the parliament today given that crime is trending down, mobility and investigative capacity of the security forces have been beefed up, border security being modernized through the National Visa Policy and amendments to the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act and the Aliens Act.
Dr. Chang will also speak on the review taking place of the National Correctional Services Policy and Corrections Act to reinforce the Government’s commitment to offender rehabilitation and reintegration and the JamaicaEye CCTV network, which is expanding.
Portmore parish status
Fitz Jackson, the Opposition Spokesman with responsibility for matters concerning Portmore will focus on the contentious Portmore parish status during his presentation.
The seven-term MP for St Catherine Southern is leading the Opposition’s push back on Portmore’s parish status will update the nation on his party’s plans regarding Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish.
Jackson, who got into Parliament in a by-election in 1994, will also give an update on his stewardship of the constituency and a report card on development activities, which have taken place in the past year.
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