Jamaica is among several regional countries benefiting from implementation of the Government of Canada-funded Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project, at a cost of Can$90 million. The initiative, being implemented by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on behalf of the Conference of Heads of the Judiciary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is designed to facilitate improved court administration...

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is reiterating calls for persons to take care on the roads as they travel across the country to visit with family and friends during the festive season. Speaking with JIS News Dr. Tufton noted that “we have seen too many road traffic crashes, and this has significantly disrupted the lives of families...

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information will be disbursing approximately $18 million to Government-run children’s homes for Christmas. Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says this is being done to ensure that youth in State care are afforded the opportunity to share in the joy and happiness of the Yuletide season. He made the announcement during the Ministry’s...

Homeowners and operators of food establishments are being urged to exercise fire safety in the kitchen as they prepare meals during the festive period. The urging came from Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Emeleo Ebanks, as he addressed a recent JIS Think Tank. He said gas lines should be properly checked, and cooking must not be...

The Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon is undergoing repairs, which should be completed in another six months. Residents of the communities served by the hospital were given an opportunity to voice their concerns about the partial closure of the facility at a town hall meeting held at Clarendon College on December 19. Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton; and...

Over the next 12 months, more tertiary programmes will be introduced online, courtesy of the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ). The first programmes to be offered are Business Studies, Criminal Justice and Hospitality, according to the Council’s Executive Director, Dr. Donna Powell Wilson. She tells JIS News that the Council recently mandated that in addition to the regular...

A shipment of 36,000 pounds of internationally certified bananas, destined for Trinidad and Tobago, is to depart the island on Monday (December 25). The green bananas, which have been packed into 900 boxes, will be the first of weekly shipments to that country over the next six months. In preparation for next week’s shipment, the packages were placed in the...