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The administration faced one of its sternest tests during its first year in office, having to identify resources to resuscitate the agricultural sector, which was devastated by severe storm systems twice in 12 months. On August 19, some 15 and 23 days respectively before the new administration won the General Elections and assumed office, the island, while not receiving a...

Scholarships valued at $240,000, have been awarded to seven business students studying at high schools across Jamaica, by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), whose Jamaica chapter is based in Montego Bay, St. James. Making the announcement at a recent monthly meeting of the international organisation, held at the Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa in Rose Hall, President of...

With the agricultural sector so vulnerable to natural disasters, a National Agricultural Disaster Risk Management Programme, was launched recently, to establish a structure and mechanisms to adequately prepare the industry for such eventualities. Senior Director, Division of Technology, Training and Technical Information at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Philip Chung, explains that the programme has several components. "These include...

One of the major undertakings of the National Security Ministry, since the administration changed hands last year, was the launch of the Department of Correctional Services' (DCS) Inmate Work Programme in November. The initiative engages moderate to low risk inmates from adult correctional institutions islandwide, in the clean-up and beautification of public places. It also provides an opportunity to involve...

The Ministry of Health undertook measures to boost the cadre of the sector's medical personnel islandwide, during the administration's first year in office. Chief among these were the expansion of training programmes, particularly for nurses, radiographers, and medical technologists; and action to improve remuneration and conditions of service, to ensure adequate retention of personnel to meet required staff levels. The...

For the past year, the Ministry of Tourism, has been working assiduously to execute initiatives that promote, develop and enhance the country's tourism product. The Ministry, under the leadership of Edmund Bartlett, focussed on marketing, product development and investment, to keep Jamaica in the forefront of Caribbean destinations. In executing these key areas, the Minister, in October, unveiled a three-year...

The Ministry of Education's Region Three, will be staging a series of Literacy Road Shows, to heighten persons' awareness on the importance of literacy in their daily lives. Literacy Co-ordinator for the Region, Hyacinth Fisher, told JIS News, that the first in the series of road shows would be held in Ocho Rios, in the vicinity of the clock tower,...

Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, got a first hand view of the damage done to houses in a number of communities in Eastern Portland, by Tropical Storm Gustav, during a tour on September 18. The communities visited were Hectors River, Long Road, Belle Castle, Scotts Run, Reach, Muirton Pen and Manchioneal. Dr. Chang, who was accompanied by...

Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson, has appealed to that country's Congress and other agencies, for additional assistance towards the nation's Tropical Storm Gustav recovery effort. Ambassador Johnson, who was one of four diplomats who briefed members of staff of the Congress on the recovery efforts in their respective countries, during a special meeting at Capitol Hill on...

Director General of the Coffee Industry Board (CIB), Christopher Gentles, says that, despite the industry sustaining estimated losses of $108 million during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, the greatest setback suffered by stakeholders, has been the damage to the road and drainage networks serving the sector. He notes that the $108 million in losses represents about six percent of...

Education Minister, Andrew Holness has re-emphasised that the Government is determined that no child should leave the primary school system illiterate and is continuously putting measures in place to ensure this. "When we started in the year 1999 to measure literacy at the primary level, using the Grade Four Literacy Test, only 42 per cent of students managed to achieve...

Acting Assistant Chief Education Officer, Sharon Neil, has described the Centres of Excellence, which have been established in two rural high schools as timely and in keeping with the Education Ministry's thrust, to involve the private sector in education delivery. Speaking recently at the Mile Gully High School in Manchester, she commended the Mutual Building Societies Foundation, for conceptualising and...