More

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that greater use must be made of technology including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to minimise the impact of natural and man-made disasters on the country. "If we in Jamaica, utilise technology more efficiently like GIS to determine where our vulnerable areas were or would likely be in the case of natural elements...

The new Boards of Directors for the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund Limited (CHASE) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) approved by the Cabinet have been announced by the Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports. For CHASE which falls under the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the Board members are:...

In the past two months since I have had the pleasure of serving as YOUR Minister of Tourism, there are many valuable lessons that I have learned, even after having been close to the portfolio for so many years. Perhaps the most significant one - and not one that is really new, but rather reinforced every day, is just how...

Cabinet has approved increases in pension payments to Government pensioners including widows/widowers and dependents, with effect from July 1, 2007. The move is in keeping with a Cabinet provision for annual increases to be paid to pensioners, to minimise the effect of a rise in the cost of living, said Minister of Finance and Public Service, Audley Shaw in the...

Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, has said that the government intends to enforce the law against delinquent parents whom, he said, need to be more accountable for the way in which they parent their children. "The land has laws against delinquent parenting and where we identify breaches, we intend to enforce the law," Mr. Holness said as he addressed the...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Fund (NHF), Rae Barrett, has said that diabetes is one of the most costly health conditions in Jamaica. He said that to date, the NHF has provided more than $351.8 million in drug subsidy for persons with diabetes and $44.5 million for supplies, which include syringes, lancets and test strips. Mr. Barrett...

National Security minister Derrick Smith this afternoon officially opened the Sligoville Police station. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister thanked the Chinese government for working with the Jamaican government to establish the facility which is part of the Sligoville Sports Complex. He also commended the former Member of Parliament, K.D. Knight for the effort he made to get the...

Magita Forbes of White Horses in St. Thomas is happier now that she has access to sanitation in her home and now that her roof has been replaced. "I'm very glad. It's a great help," she said. Ms. Forbes, who is physically challenged, received financial assistance from the White Horses, Botany Bay & Pamphret Development Benevolent Society (WBP/DBS) to build...

Jamaican-born Rev. Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, has been appointed a Commissioner of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the United Kingdom (UK). Set up under the Equity Act of 2006, the Commission will work towards eliminating discrimination, reducing inequality, protecting human rights and building good relations. The body, which came into being on...

Youth leaders from across the island on (Nov.12) mooted a number of issues affecting young people in the society at the fifth National Youth Parliament held at Gordon House. Among the issues raised and debated by the 46 youth leaders were: sex crimes, protecting the rights of the child, improving education, societal violence and attitudes to Jamaica's ancestral history. They...

The US$50.6 million Soapberry wastewater treatment project in St. Catherine is on track for a January 2008 completion date, with the project now in the testing phase. Project Manager Lloyd Grey, explained to JIS News that the process involves the loading of the treatment ponds with river water to check for strength and leaks and "for testing the load factor...

Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, has said that the government will be revitalizing the Neighbourhood Watch and police youth club programmes to build better relations between police and civilians and reduce crime and violence. "As an administration, the government commits itself to continue to work with the neighbourhood watch organization and we intend to strengthen community efforts by way...