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Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has instructed the Ministries of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Land and Environment and Transport and Works to immediately draw up a detailed plan for the evacuation of residents living in communities that are likely to be devastated by Hurricane Emily. The evacuation may start by the latest tomorrow morning if the Hurricane continues...

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, has called Caribbean countries to embrace the PetroCaribe initiative, noting that, "it provided critical support to vulnerable states and provide assistance "for those in our population who are most at risk." The Prime Minister, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (July 13), noted that "the agreement speaks to equality of states...

Drivers or operators of vehicles who breach the provisions outlined in the recently amended Transport Authority and Road Traffic Acts, now face stiffer penalties. "On first conviction, one offence of operating without a road licence, the offender is liable to pay a fine of not less than $20,000 or more than $40,000. On second conviction, he is liable to pay...

Jamaica is to give assistance to the Republic of Ghana, which has been a consumer of the alumina from Jamaica for the past 30 years, to develop its own alumina refinery. Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, who made the announcement at a joint press conference at Jamaica House today (July 13) following bi-lateral talks with Ghanaian President John Kufuor, said...

President of Ghana, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, is looking forward to Alcoa's investment in a bauxite plant in his country, having observed operations at the Jamalco plant in Clarendon yesterday (July 12). President of Ghana, His Excellency John Kufuor (centre) aboard the Clarendon Express, a tour train that will operate along Jamalco's existing railway line, allowing visitors to get a...

In spite of the damage to the bauxite industry by Hurricane Ivan last September, Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson is reporting that the 2004/05 fiscal year was among the best in the more than 53-year history of the industry in Jamaica. This, he said, was due to the basic strength and resilience of a healthier local industry and continued...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson yesterday (July 12) said that early indications were that flooding and landslides caused by last week's passage of Hurricane Dennis, had affected some 119 populated areas. He was making his presentation in the House of Representatives on the status of the country following the category two hurricane, which impacted the island last Thursday (July 7). Mr....

The Ministry of Finance and Planning will meet with relevant Ministries this week, to prepare submissions to access funding to repair damage to infrastructure as a result of Hurricane Dennis.Cabinet is expected to consider the submissions at its meeting next Monday, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has said, so that the "requisite expenditures can be duly authorized for such variations in...

The 13 emergency shelters, which were opened in Clarendon as a response to the threat of Hurricane Dennis, are now closed. Rohan Blake, Acting Parish Disaster Coordinator at the Clarendon Parish Council told JIS News that the 520 persons, who were housed in the facilities, have returned to their homes. He attributed the quick return to normality to the "proactive...

Portland Health Department is advising residents of flood-affected areas of the parish to treat drinking water to prevent water borne disease. Valerie McLeary, Health Educator for the Department, has said that a number of supply systems have been compromised due to the passage of Hurricane Dennis. The affected communities are White Hall, Mount Vernon, Section, Cascade, Middletown, Bangor Ridge, Lennox,...

The Trelawny Parish Disaster Committee is carrying out assessments to ascertain the level of damage in the parish as a result of Hurricane Dennis. Parish Disaster Coordinator, Dion Hylton, told JIS News that the northern section of the parish suffered the worst effects of the hurricane, with flooding reported in areas such as Logwood Valley and Bunkers Hill. There have...

Parish Manager for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Clarendon, Delroy Palmer said yesterday (July 12), that the hurricane damage assessment has begun. "Five teams of representatives from Clarendon's Welfare Committee have already been dispatched to the communities of Portland Cottage, Rocky Point, Mitchell Town, Kemps Hill, Banks, Kennedy Grove and Palmer's Cross," Mr. Palmer told JIS News...