Digital address pilot registers 4,700 properties in Christiana, says Marks

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is moving towards establishing a national digital addressing system after a pilot project assigned digital addresses to 4,700 properties in Christiana, Manchester. Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador Audrey Marks, disclosed the figures in an Instagram post, describing the pilot as a success. The properties include homes, businesses, farms and lots. The programme is being spearheaded by Jamaica Post in collaboration with Yassuh Ja Ltd, with the aim of establishing a national digital addressing system that will allow properties across Jamaica to be accurately located and verified. Marks said the initiative would make it easier for Jamaicans, including those living in remote rural communities, to have verifiable addresses, improving their access to services and opportunities in the formal economy. “From ‘turn left at the big tree’ to a digital address that takes the Postman straight to your doorstep!” she said. She added that the digital addresses would be easy to remember, similar to telephone numbers, and that the pilot had demonstrated the potential for a national address registry. “Digital address is ready to roll out… Jamaica is mapped, a national address registry is now possible. No community too remote. No address overlooked. No Jamaican left behind,” Marks said. She said the system was expected to support timely government assistance, e-commerce, businesses and farmers, while improving emergency response and service delivery. Marks said the broader objective was to create a more connected and digitally enabled Jamaica, where a person's geographical location would not determine their access to opportunities.