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Some 1,200 residents of Springfield and surrounding communities on (Jan. 24) benefited from free health checks as the Organisation for International Development's (OID) annual medical mission stopped in St. James. At a clinic held at the Springfield Baptist Church, dental, optical, pediatric and other services were provided. The 45-member team, which includes board certified dentists, ophthalmologists, pediatricians and internists, in...

National Security Minister Derrick Smith gave the government's commitment that social interventions would be better managed increased and sustained. He was speaking at the Peace Management Initiative PMI 6th anniversary luncheon and awards held at the Hilton Kingston hotel. In his remarks the minister outlined that the government intended to accelerate the current social intervention programmes and to implement additional...

Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, has said that the Government will be taking measures to strengthen security at the nation's ports, including the re-tabling and passage of the Port Security Act by the end of the year. The Minister, who was addressing an information fair organized by the Jamaica Customs Department yesterday (Jan. 26) at Dump Up Beach in...

Government is examining the feasibility of establishing small business incubators to provide integrated and coordinated financial and operational support services to small and micro businesses islandwide. Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Michael Stern, made the announcement at the opening of the sixth Jamaica Business Information Centre (JAMBIC) in Portmore, St. Catherine recently. The incubators,...

A National Early Childhood Foundation has been launched, which will provide support for early childhood institutions and aid in the development of the country's early childhood education system. The foundation was launched by Lorna Golding, wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, at a press briefing held recently at Gordon House to announce new initiatives to assist basic schools. Mrs. Golding...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has said that Government support agencies must rethink and modify their approach to providing critical social services to inner city communities. Mr. Golding, who was a guest speaker at the official opening of the newly-refurbished Fletcher's Land Community Centre in Western Kingston on (Jan. 27), stated that there is a negative perception of inner city communities,...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, was among the thousands of Jamaicans and visitors to the island, who were thrilled by high quality performances from local and international acts, on the opening night of the 11th annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival on Thursday (Jan. 24), in Montego Bay. A number of government ministers, private sector officials, and members of the...

Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, on Thursday (Jan. 24) signed a contract valued at $8.1 million for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Goldmine water supply system in West Central St. Catherine. The project, which will entail the laying of three kilometres of pipelines and refurbishing of the Marlie Hill reservoir, will benefit approximately 3, 500 households...

The Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) has a new Board of Directors, chaired by businessman, Joseph Matalon.The centre is mandated to serve as a catalyst for promoting and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the Jamaican economy at the national, sector, industry, enterprise and individual levels. Also on the Board are: Executive Director of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, Sandra...

Government plans to rationalize the delivery of health services in the public sector and strengthen the capacity of hospitals to deal with the additional patient load that is expected come April, when hospital charges are removed at all public facilities. Prime Minister Bruce Golding who made the announcement, said this will be done in the short-term, to prevent a deterioration...

February was officially declared as Reggae Month by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, at a ceremony held on (Jan. 24) at King's House. Sir Kenneth read the formal proclamation, which will also provide for the annual celebration of the music genre, for which Jamaica is known around the world. Several dignitaries headed by Prime Minister,...

A special energy conservation coordinator is to be appointed in the Office of the Cabinet to oversee the implementation of measures aimed at reducing energy consumption in Government ministries, agencies, and departments. This is one of several initiatives, aimed at addressing the country's rising energy costs, which came out of the recent Cabinet retreat. Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, speaking to...