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Dr. Peter Phillips, MP

        Leader of the Opposition

I am indeed delighted to have been invited to contribute this       take place outside of the building of human and social capacity
message to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Jamaica Social          in an environment of peace and safety. Several communities
Investment Fund (JSIF), which remains a pivotal organization        in the constituency of East Central St Andrew benefitted from
in the mobilization of resources for community development          this initiative.
and social action through community partnership.
                                                                    Going forward, the Fund must continue its public interest
In fulfilling its mandate, JSIF has done much to contribute to      initiatives by providing information and promoting awareness
the prevailing stability and confidence in the country’s social     to educate the public about many projects and invite
development. JSIF must continue on its present trajectory           partnership. It goes without saying; this is part of what is
of integrated social development and making advances in             required to maintain confidence in the system. In this regard,
solutions aimed at ameliorating the challenges in the quality       I wanted to acknowledge the efforts already taken, particularly
of life of residents in depressed communities, both in the inner-   during the initial years of operation, to provide the public with
city and rural parishes across Jamaica.                             information to increase the awareness of the Fund’s efforts and
                                                                    activities, and promoting the overall objective of community
It is noted that in your 2015/2016 Fiscal Year, JSIF approved       development.
47 projects valued at JMD $1.47 billion which were completed.
I must highlight also and commend the Fund for the                  Therefore, I commend the Board of Directors, Management and
Environmental Management Programme, targeting several               Staff of JSIF for their efforts over the years to build community
communities in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St.         capacities, promote partnership and bring needed resources to
Catherine, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. James and Westmoreland. A        strengthen community infrastructure and social stability.
major component is the Integrated Community Development
Programme (ICDP), which is aimed at making improvements             I wish JSIF all the best in its activities to mark the Fund’s 20th
to basic infrastructure in communities. This initiative includes    anniversary.
road rehabilitation, improving water, storm drainage and
installing water supply and sanitation household connections,
and solid waste management in the chosen communities.

The Fund has also taken under its mandate the responsibility
of building social capital and enhancing public safety as priority
areas in many communities. These principles are important for
community development because no social advancement can

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