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Inflation Down in January

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting a 0.5 per cent decline in inflation for the month of January 2015, which is the third consecutive monthly decline for the country. STATIN says the fall in inflation was due mainly...

Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson (centre), addresses a press briefing held at Jamaica House on Monday, February 16, to announce Government’s allocation of $54.4 million for a Measles Prevention Campaign, which will run from February 16 to May 8. Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kevin Harvey, were also at the briefing.

Govt Embarks on $54.4 Million Measles Prevention Campaign

Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Department in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Robert Chung, speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday, February 11.

Several OSH Programmes Being Rolled Out

Minister with Responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer.

Improvement in Jamaica’s Press Freedom Ranking A Significant Achievement, Says Falconer

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill.

Tourism Ministry Advancing Work on Public Beach Development Programme

11 years ago Agriculture

Ministry to Boost Irish Potato Production

The Ministry of Agriculture will be ramping up Irish potato production to 15 million kilograms this year in order to satisfy local demand for the produce. Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton, said in order to meet the target 1,200 hectares of the crop will be planted. “If we are not struck with the...

General Manager at Self Start Fund, Sezvin Hamilton.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Fifty Per Cent Reduction in $40 Million Owed to the Self Start Fund

The Self Start Fund (SSF) is reporting a 50 per cent reduction in the $40 million owed by delinquent borrowers. General Manager, Sezvin Hamilton, says the reduction resulted from the agency’s sustained collection efforts undertaken in 2014. “We had to slow lending for a little…and focus on collecting, in order to rebuild our portfolio. Our collection drive has been fairly...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr Fenton Ferguson ((2nd left), and Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon Dr Wykeham McNeill (3rd left), discuss details of the planned renovation of the Grange Hill Health Centre in Westmoreland, with representatives of the Health Ministry and the institution, during a tour of the facility on February 13. Phase one of the renovations will be carried out over the next six months at a cost of $20 million, under the Health Ministry’s Primary Health Care Renewal Programme. Financing has been provided by the National Health Fund (NHF). Among those touring with the Ministers were: Deputy Chairman, Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Calvin Brown (left); Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr Khaushal Singh (centre); Public Health Nurse, Carol Smith Beharie (3rd right); WRHA Director, Wayne Vacciana (2nd right); and Special Advisor to Dr. Ferguson, Hurley Taylor.

11 years ago CommunityHealth & Wellness

$20M Renovation for Grange Hill Health Centre in Westmoreland

The Grange Hill Health Centre in Westmoreland is to be renovated at a cost of $20 million. The six-month project, to be financed by the National Health Fund (NHF), will include: expansion of the dental clinic, examination areas, and public and staff sanitary facilities; creation of a pharmacy; patient curative/treatment areas; a triage station, where medical treatment priority will be...

Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (3rd left), turns a switch to officially commission into service the rehabilitated six-million gallons per day, and new five-million gallons per day National Water Commission (NWC) water treatment plants at Martha Brae, Trelawny, on Friday, February 13. Work on the facilities was carried out by the NWC at a cost of approximately $1.6 billion, under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP). Those sharing the occasion, include: Acting NWC President, Mark Barnett (2nd left); Falmouth’s Mayor, Councillor Garth Wilkinson (2nd right); and Attorney General and Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, where the facilities are located, Hon. Patrick Atkinson (right).

11 years ago Environment

$1.6 Billion Upgrade for Martha Brae Water Systems in Trelawny

Water supplied to approximately 200,000 residents served by the National Water Commission’s (NWC) facilities at Martha Brae, Trelawny, will be significantly boosted to 11 million gallons per day, following the completion of two major projects, valued approximately J$1.6 billion, at that location. The projects, which were carried out by the NWC under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP) over...

Executive Director, Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), Andral

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission’s Town Hall Meetings Underway

The Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has embarked on a series of town hall meetings, aimed at heightening public and stakeholder knowledge and awareness about new standards and regulations governing engagements for which the agency provides oversight. Five such meetings are scheduled, the first of which took place in Negril, Westmoreland, on February 12. Addressing participants, BGLC Executive Director,...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (centre), and Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (right), are engaged in discussion by Chief Executive Officer, SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH), John Gayle, during Tuesday’s (February 17) launch of SCJH’s “Navel String” tree planting project at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) artificial groundwater facility, at Innswood, St. Catherine. One million trees are earmarked to be planted over the next four years under the initiative, at a cost of over $25 million.

11 years ago AgricultureEnvironment

One Million Trees to be Planted Under Navel String Project

One million trees are to be planted over the next four years under the navel string project being undertaken by SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH). The project will be launched on Tuesday (February 17), at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) Artificial Ground Water Aquifer Recharge Facility, located on Old Harbour Road in St. Catherine. Several ministries and agencies as well as...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (front row, 4th left ); Lady Allen (front row, centre); and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A.J. Nicholson (front row, 4th right), with members of the Diplomatic Corps, at the Annual Diplomatic Dinner held last night (February 12), at King’s House.

11 years ago Governor General

GG Hails Contribution of Int’l Partners

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has hailed the international partners for their invaluable contribution to the country’s development. “The Government and people of Jamaica deeply appreciate the invaluable assistance and cooperative spirit in which our partners support our efforts to build our economy, and improve the quality of life of our people,” Sir Patrick said. He...