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Newly appointed Contractor General, Dirk Harrison, is imploring all stakeholders to assist his office in a renewed fight against corruption. “It cannot be business as usual. We cannot keep ‘passing the buck’…waiting for the next generation or the next person to solve or begin to seriously tackle the ills of today. We must be prepared to do whatever it takes,...

The country’s fifth Contractor General, Dirk Harrison, was on Monday, February 25, sworn into office by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most. Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. Addressing the swearing-in ceremony at King’s House, the Governor-General commended Mr. Harrison on accepting the charge to serve his country, in a capacity that is often challenging. The Governor-General noted that much is required of...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says Jamaica has put forward several programmes and policies, which have significantly improved the human rights and justice landscape over the past 50 years. The strides include the right to a decent life, right to education, free speech and expression, liberty, freedom of movement and freedom from discrimination, as well as gender...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, is calling for agricultural extension officers to be more fully integrated in the farming communities. “One way that we could see increased production and greater efficiencies in the agricultural industry is by placing agricultural extension officers to live and work in local farming communities,” he stated. Senator Grant was making...

Good quality customer service is vital for Jamaica’s growth and development, especially in this time of economic challenges. This view was expressed by Communication Consultant, Fabian Brown, while speaking on a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Issues and Answers programme. Discussions focused on the Public Sector Customer Service Competition and the link between good customer service and Jamaica’s economic development....

Minister of National Security, Hon Peter Bunting, says that over the last few years, Jamaica has made major strides in reducing the flow of drugs into the island. He noted that in 2001, it was estimated that 21 per cent of cocaine that ended up in the United States (US) market came through the Caribbean, and that in 2012 that...

Residents of Hanover and surrounding parishes turned out on Sunday, February 24, for the remembrance service to commemorate the 129th anniversary of the birth of National Hero, Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante. The event, held at his birthplace in Blenheim, featured tributes in song and dance, while representatives of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the National Workers Union...

Caribbean transport ministers have agreed to ork together to develop a regional policy for maritime transportation. The move was among measures to come out of the Regional High-Level Symposium on International Maritime Developments held last week in Montego Bay. Development of the policy will ensure that the Caribbean maritime industry operates in a sustainable manner. Secretary General of the International...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is establishing a core group of small and medium sized contractors to build more housing solutions for Jamaicans. Chairman of the Trust, Easton Douglas, says this is critical as the agency strives to improve its ability to satisfy the current demand of 400,000 units, and also ensure high construction standards. The NHT already has 16...

The country could soon see the entrenchment of local government in the Jamaican Constitution far advanced, as the Government focuses on passing key pieces of legislation in Parliament. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, made the announcement as he addressed residents at a Social Development Commission Parish Forum at the St. Mary High School on Thursday,...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Government has entered into a $100 million arrangement with Jamaica Producers, the island's largest distributors of banana chips and ripe bananas. The loan is tied to the local farmers providing bananas to Jamaica Producers for the production of chips. In addition, he disclosed that the Ministry has set aside a ...

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, has called on students to make the best use of what they are being taught, as when they excel, this with boost the development of the nation. The Minister, who was delivering the keynote address at a Jamaica Day 2013 function, held on Thursday, February 22, at the Trelawny multi-purpose Stadium, in the...