The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) and the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS), have agreed that more will be done to address customers’ concerns about high electricity bills. This position was reached following presentations to the Government in which JPS outlined several factors that would have contributed to higher electricity bills since the advent of COVID-19. In...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is seeking to amend The Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act to make it more robust, applicable and accountable. The Prime Minister made the disclosure during a virtual press briefing on Wednesday (July 1), where he announced a Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO)...

Attorney General, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says the Government has paid out just under $287 million in judgement debts, for the 2019/20 financial year. Making her contribution to the 2020/21 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 30, Mrs. Malahoo Forte also said more than $177 million was paid in settlements. “This has gone a long way in...

The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology’s digitisation programme has been strengthened with the addition of 40 young people, who will assist in the digital transformation exercise. Recruited through the Government’s Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme, the youngsters will be engaged for 12 months, where they will carry out work in the areas of records management; customer service;...

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is to provide a sanitisation grant to assist early-childhood institutions across the island. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on June 30. Mr. Samuda also informed that the Ministry is now carrying out an assessment to determine the number of early-childhood institutions...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has undertaken a digital transformation of its border management operations. In addition to its Online Passenger Declaration Form, PICA has launched an Online Adult Passport Renewal System, and installed an additional 15 automated border crossing (ABC) kiosks at the Sangster International Airport. “This brought the number of ABC Kiosks at the Sangster International...

Over the 2020/2021 financial year, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will advance work in several key areas, including the buildout of their technology support systems. Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said this will include expansion of the smart checkpoint facility, the deployment of body-worn cameras, access to central database from the service vehicles, expansion of the radio...