Expressing their intention to apply “world-class standards” to cargo screening and monitoring of local waters, the Jamaican government has invested $11 billion to improve border security as part of its crime reduction strategy.
This was disclosed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the Caribbean Basin Coastal Surveillance and Maritime Summit held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on March 28.
“In the next phase of our investment in our security, we will continue to build out our capacities to secure Jamaica’s borders, in terms of carrying out searches and rescue operations and to monitor, in particular, the island’s fishing resources, which will be enhanced by the purchase of a coastal radar system,” Holness said.
In 2017, the Ministry of National Security acquired two ships, valued at US$26.4 million, for the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, while a surveillance plane was purchased at a cost of US$16.9 million.
“The threat of cyberattacks in the Caribbean is increasing and is indeed a reality for our security and safety,” Holness said.
Read more at the Jamaican government
