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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has assured that enough agricultural produce will be available to supply the local consumer market. The Minister gave the assurance while addressing journalists on Friday (Oct.1), after a tour of farms in Manchester and Clarendon, to assess the damage to the agricultural sector from the heavy rains associated with the passage...

The St. Elizabeth Parish Council, with the assistance of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), has been assisting residents in the parish, whose lives have been disrupted as a result of the heavy rains and flooding last week. The Social Development Commission (SDC), Jamaica Red Cross, and political representatives, are also involved in the distribution of relief...

Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education (MOE), Grace McLean said today (October 4), that a decision will be made during the course of this week whether or not to extend the school term, as a result of school closures last week caused by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Nicole. "Whenever we have situations of this nature, then the...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding says the government is faced with a complex situation as it relates to donor countries responding to Jamaica's needs at this time, under the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). Mr. Golding was addressing a press conference on September 28, at Jamaica House, to update the nation on actions being taken by the government...

More than 70 roads across Jamaica remain impassable after Tropical Storm Nicole doused the island this week, the National Works Agency (NWA) has reported. At a press conference held at the Ministry of Transport and Works in Kingston, on (October 1), Communication and Customer Services Manager at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, noted that 53 of these roads are critical corridors...

Some $10 million will be needed by the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) to finance relief assistance for flood victims, and other persons affected by rains associated with the tropical depression affecting Jamaica over the past three days. The organization has been working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Ministry of Health and other agencies,...

The Ministry of Health is advising members of the public to treat water intended for consumption as water may become contaminated after heavy rainfall and flooding. To prevent diseases and maintain good health, it is important to use safe water. Water can be made safe by treating with household bleach or by boiling. The following guidelines should be observed: BLEACHFor...

Incoming Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Brigadier Antony Anderson, says the Force will be reviewed early next year, to assess the implementations that came out of a Strategic Defence Review done in 2006. Incoming Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Antony Anderson. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, he says the review is important to...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reporting that the gauge at PEDRO RIVER is currently at 19 feet and rising (Maximum level 22 feet). The community is currently flooded and as such the ODPEM and the Parish Council with the support of the JDF is in the process of deploying boats to evacuate some 60 persons....

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Works Agency (NWA), Patrick Wong, says the Palisadoes Road Shoreline Project is not simply a road rehabilitation exercise, but a comprehensive programme for protecting Kingston Harbour. Mr. Wong was speaking at a press conference called to discuss the project, at the Ministry of Transport and Works in Kingston, Friday (October 1). The NWA...

Mayor of Black River, Councillor Jeremy Palmer, has reported that the St. Elizabeth Parish Council is currently carrying out assessments of damage done by Tropical Storm Nicole, and also providing relief items to affected residents in the parish. Speaking with JIS News during a tour of Parottee, near Black River, on (September 30), where flood waters have covered much of...

Teams from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Works Agency (NWA) are continuing assessment of damage to homes and infrastructure in St. Mary. Speaking with JIS News, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Parish Disaster Coordinator, Yolande Jankie said that "assessments have already started in Cox Street and Kirklane and these will be continuing...