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KINGSTON — The significant contribution made by public bodies to economic growth and development in Jamaica is expected to continue this financial year. According to a Fiscal Policy Paper, which was tabled in the House of Representatives by Finance and Planning Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, last week, the contribution of public bodies has been critical at the micro and macro...

KINGSTON — The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) of the Ministry of National Security, in partnership with the community of Homestead in St. Catherine, deployed its PeaceMobile, ‘a roaming peace-vibes concert and information village’ in that community, on Sunday, May 1. A special feature of the Homestead programme was the provision of free health services. The concert series, the...

KINGSTON — Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, says that the Government intends to spread literacy right across the country “like a vaccine against social ills." He was speaking at a function yesterday at the Allman Town Primary School in Kingston to mark ‘Read Across Jamaica Day’. Mr. Holness noted that “literacy - the ability to read, comprehend, compute and...

MONTEGO BAY — Schools in St. James are to participate in the Parish Council’s first Disaster Preparedness Performing Arts Competition, which will last from May 3 to 12. The competition, which was launched  on May 2  in  the Council’s  chambers in Montego Bay,  is opened to all infant, primary, preparatory and high schools in the parish,  and will be staged...

KINGSTON — Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson says the agency is aiming to expand its capacity to be able to provide emergency and relief supplies and resources to more persons seriously affected by severe weather systems, such as tropical storms and hurricanes. Speaking at the agency’s hurricane preparedness month press conference at their...

KINGSTON — The Government has budgeted an additional $750 million in support for the Road Maintenance Fund (RMF). In his Budget Debate presentation in Parliament Tuesday April 28, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw said this will ensure the financing of 15 per cent down payment on US$100 million for expenditure under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure...

KINGSTON — Changes are to be made shortly to the operations of the Ananda Alert system, that should bring about improvement, as well as increase the number of persons taking part in the emergency network. This was disclosed by Minister of  State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague, in an interview with ...

MANDEVILLE — Mayfield All Age School, in St. Elizabeth, celebrated its first Jamaica Day on April 20, with support from parents and the business community, and a special session by Story Teller, Amina Blackwood-Meeks. The day began with a ceremonial flag-raising ceremony, with the students being given reminders of the symbolic meaning of hoisting the Jamaican flag. This was followed...

KINGSTON — The PetroCaribe Development Fund will make available a total of $28.5 billion in loan financing to Central Government and self-financing public bodies, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw has said. In his Budget Debate presentation at Gordon House on April 28, Mr. Shaw said the Fund will also play a critical role in financing...

KINGSTON — The process of transforming young minds and instilling in them, positive values and attitudes, which would steer them from a life of crime, should start in the home, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan. He said that a lot of the interpersonal conflicts, which lead to crime and violence, can be...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton has signalled the Ministry's intention to stage Farmers' Market once per month, as part of the overall thrust to increase and support domestic crop production. He assured that in promoting  the Farmers’ Market, the Ministry is not seeking to replace or compete with traditional markets. “However, we do feel...

KINGSTON — Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has challenged the country’s leaders to craft policies and develop programmes to end stigma, discrimination and gender inequality in the society.  “Many of our people are marginalised because of a disability, a health condition, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS or their sexual preference. We must remove the impediments of access to...