A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and HEART/NSTA Trust to empower and build the capacity of residents in several targetted communities. The MoU was inked by PIOJ Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, and HEART/NSTA Trust Managing Director, Dr. Taniesha Ingleton, at the Institute’s Oxford Road offices in St. Andrew on Friday...

Persons who wish to cast their ballots in the Local Government Elections on Monday, February 26, can do so between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown, told JIS News that some 6,726 polling stations will be open across the island to accommodate the thousands of Jamaicans who intend to exercise their franchise. “What we would like...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is reporting an uptick in malicious or false alarm calls to the department in 2023. This was disclosed by JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’. He said the JFB responded to 1,220 malicious calls in 2022, adding that the number rose by 193 or 15.8 per cent to...

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz (third right), unveils the sign symbolising the commissioning into service of the Glenwood Springs Community Wi-Fi in Clarendon North Western on Wednesday (February 21). Sharing the moment (from left) are: Chief Executive Officer, Universal Service Fund (USF), Daniel Dawes; Member of Parliament, Clarendon North Western, Phillip Henriques; Councillor-Caretaker, Ritchies Division,...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising its customers that due to the country’s Local Government Elections on Monday, February 26, 2024, all Tax Offices and the Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax office will close to the public at 12:00 p.m. Business locations however, will close at 1:00 p.m. The closures are to facilitate TAJ personnel exercising their right to vote....

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Wednesday (February 21), officially reopened the rehabilitated Black River Fire Station in St. Elizabeth which was renovated at a cost of $60 million. The scope of works included the complete rehabilitation and expansion of the existing building, erecting perimeter fencing, paving of the compound and drainage improvements. In his address, Mr. Holness...

As the February 26 Local Government Elections approach, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is reminding employers that workers are entitled time off to vote. Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown, told JIS News that under the law, every employer is required to permit employees who intend to vote, three hours to do so. This is in addition to the usual...

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, says there has been a noticeable reduction in the number of complaints from citizens regarding the Brigade’s response time. He noted that the acquisition of new fire units has increased the JFB’s capacity and response to emergencies. “We procured and received 30 brand-new fire trucks in 2021, and those would have...

Work will continue during fiscal year 2024/25 to upgrade Jamaica’s emergency communication system. The Government has budgeted $1.3 billion to continue initiatives under the ‘Improvement of Emergency Communication System in Jamaica’ Project. This engagement aims to develop a national emergency communication system to coordinate incident response among key government agencies and volunteers. Details of the project are outlined in the...