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Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has said that the acquisition of the final of three patrol vessels by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard will enhance the JDF's ability to effectively monitor the island's territorial waters and reduce the international trade in illegal drugs and ammunition. "International criminal organisations pose a threat to the country's security.(they have)...

New Chief Justice, Zaila McCalla, has vowed to work with her colleagues in the private and public bar to address problems besetting the courts and to advance the administration of justice. "I pledge to work with my colleagues to advance any cause if it is just," she stated, in a speech shortly after she was sworn into office yesterday (June...

The Montego Bay business community yesterday (June 26) bade farewell to Chief Executive Officer of Montego Bay Jamaica (MBJ) Airports Limited, Jorge Sales, who over the last three years, has led the project to transform the Sangster International Airport into a world class facility. At the farewell function held at the Three Palms Restaurant near the Rose Hall Resort and...

Member of Parliament for West Central St. Catherine, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that the wider availability of anti retroviral drugs to selected HIV/AIDS victims, including expectant mothers, has served to reduce the incidence of deaths and mother to child transmission of the disease. Dr. Baugh, who was making his contribution to the 2007/08 Sectoral Debate in the House of...

John Junor, Member of Parliament for Central Manchester, has applauded the successes of the National Health Fund (NHF), but called for a strengthening of the component, which deals with medication and education. "Even as we have done very well, it (NHF) needs to be strengthened at the level of the clinical interventions. Right now, the NHF has developed the best...

Member of Parliament for Central Manchester, John Junor, is urging the Government to speed up the reform of Local Government in Jamaica. Making his contribution to the 2007/08 Sectoral Debate in the House yesterday (June 26), Mr. Junor said that, "there needs to be a point where you say we are out of the reform." "We need to re-look at...

The House of Representatives yesterday (June 26), suspended the debate on amendments to three Bills, recommended by the Electoral Commission to rid the electoral system of open voting. Leader of Government Business in the House, Dr. Peter Phillips, called for the postponement after members of the Lower House disagreed over amendment by the Senate to the Bills, changing a provision...

Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller says Jamaican-born pilot Barrington Irving is an inspiration to Jamaica and the world. She says his success in building an aircraft from scratch and completing the journey around the world, sometimes in very treacherous conditions shows his perseverance and indomitable Jamaican spirit. The Prime Minister spoke to the 23-year old by telephone...

The Pest Control Authority (PCA) is staging a series of community meetings in Portland to increase public awareness about the safe and proper use of chemicals. Farming communities are being specially targeted, because of the heavy use of pesticides and other chemicals in crop cultivation by farmers. Meetings have already been held in Fair Prospect and Hope Bay, with others...

Member of Parliament for Central Manchester, John Junor, has said that the marketing of the country's tourism industry should be segmented, as to appeal to different publics. "Port Antonio in my view should be developed as an upscale destination and combined with green tourism because both are compatible. You usually find people who are environmentalist are not going to be...

Cabinet has approved a submission from the Health Corporation of Jamaica for the purchase of a property at 2 Union Square in Cross Roads, Kingston. This building houses the Drug Serv Pharmacy, and will be purchased at a cost of $23 million. This was announced by Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan, at the weekly post Cabinet press briefing,...

Cabinet has approved the appointment of Maureen Webber as the new chairman of the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC). This was announced on (June 25) by the Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan, at the post Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House. Miss Webber operates her own company, Development Options Limited, and is also an adviser to Minister...