The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Authority was established in April 2025 through the consolidation of eGov Jamaica Limited and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Announced by the Office of the Prime Minister, this merger was designed to create a unified authoritative body to enhance ICT service delivery across Jamaica’s public sector.
Established under the ICT Authority Act (2019), the Authority is a statutory body with an expanded mandate that includes developing and implementing a national ICT strategy aligned with Jamaica’s broader development objectives. The Authority is also responsible for establishing and enforcing ICT policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure the effective and efficient use of technology resources throughout government operations.
The consolidation brings together the expertise and infrastructure of two key entities. eGov Jamaica Limited, originally incorporated as Fiscal Services Limited under the Companies Act on April 15, 1985, began operations in April 1986, initially focusing on developing business solutions for government revenue departments. In January 2013, the company was repositioned as the government’s lead ICT implementation body, prompting a transfer from the Ministry of Finance and Planning to the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, along with its name change to eGov Jamaica Limited. In May 2023, eGovJa was transferred to the Digital Transformation portfolio within the Office of the Prime Minister.
The establishment of the ICT Authority represents a strategic step toward streamlining Jamaica’s digital transformation efforts under a single, cohesive framework.
The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is a dynamic statutory organisation under the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport. Established by the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 1995, the JCAA commenced operations in May 1996. Their primary role is to regulate Jamaica’s civil aviation industry to ensure its safety, security, efficiency and economic sustainability.
The JCAA vision is to be recognised as a world-class civil aviation authority that is integrally involved in the sustainable development of a safe and thriving global aviation community that supports and serves Jamaica.
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), a wholly Government-owned entity, was incorporated on July 13, 1998 to provide a safe, reliable, modern, efficient, and cost-effective transportation service within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR), which covers Eastern, Spanish Town, Papine, Portmore, and Northern franchise areas.
The Company operates from three depots: Twickenham Park and Portmore in St. Catherine, and Rockfort in Kingston, along with a Central Maintenance Workshop on Ashenheim Road and the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre, a major hub for commuters. The establishment of the JUTC was the Government’s initiative to restore order to the public transportation system, with a daily mandate of providing 25,000 to 31,000 seats within the KMTR.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the JUTC plans to expand its fleet, extend routes, and enhance operational efficiency, targeting an increase in passenger carriage to 27.84 million, up from 18.88 million in 2024/25. Despite these improvements, a net deficit of $6.97 billion is projected.
The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) was incorporated as a statutory body under the Students’ Loan
Fund Act (SLFA) in 1971. The Act stipulates that the functions of the Bureau include:
a. Provision of loans or grants, in its absolute discretion, to approved students.
b. Administration of the Students’ Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) which was established
under the SLFA.
The SLB provides funding to students attending thirty-four (34) approved tertiary institutions
including universities, teachers’ colleges and community colleges. The funding supports various
programmes of study inclusive of business administration and social sciences, sciences, nursing,
pharmacology, education, humanities, agriculture, engineering, information technology,
hospitality and tourism management, law, maritime, medicine, sports education and theology.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the SLB will continue to provide funding to approved tertiary institutions on behalf of eligible applicants to finance their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Disbursements to approved tertiary institutions are projected at $8,810.86 million in 2025/26.
SLB forecasts a net surplus on operations of $2,274.68 million. To achieve its target, the SLB’s staff and Board must uphold strong corporate governance. Let’s take a look at their progress!
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) was established by the Urban Development Act of 1968 and it plays a critical role in advancing Jamaica’s sustainable and holistic urban development. The main activity of the Corporation is to undertake urban and rural renewal, while safeguarding natural resources and promoting economic advancement in specific areas designated by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ).
During the 2025/26 financial year, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will continue to play a pivotal role in transforming Jamaica’s urban centres and rural towns. In alignment with its mandate for urban development, the UDC will advance several major projects, including the Hellshire Sewage Treatment Plant Expansion, Portmore Resilience Park, Kingston Harbour Walk, and the Montego Bay Southern Groyne. These initiatives aim to enhance infrastructure, promote environmental resilience, and improve public spaces.
The UDC forecasts a net surplus of $1,248.06 million for the budget year. To achieve its target, the UDC staff and Board must uphold strong corporate governance. Let’s take a look at their progress!
The National Housing Trust (NHT) was established in Jamaica in 1976 and became a body corporate in 1979 under the National Housing Trust Act. It is an institution created to respond to the housing needs of Jamaicans by lending money at low interest rates to Contributors who wish to build, buy or improve their houses or who wish to buy or build on lots. The NHT also develops housing schemes for sale to Contributors and provides low cost financing to private developers.
Over the last three financial years 2020/21 to 2022/23 the NHT delivered 6,657 housing solutions to the market. For the Financial Year 2024/25 the Trust plans to commence construction on 15,009 new housing solutions and deliver a total of 3,664 solutions, comprising a mix of residential lots and houses.
To achieve these targets the staff and the Board of the NHT must ensure there is robust corporate governance. Let’s see how they are doing!!
