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Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says he will be making an announcement in Parliament today (Feb. 19) regarding developments within the energy sector. “Tune in later to Parliament and you will hear some news. I will also be saying something about electricity and some special measures that Kelly Tomblin (President and Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica...

The World Bank has commended the Government on initiatives taken, including the National Debt Exchange (NDX) programme, to secure the recent staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “I have been listening keenly to the development in Jamaica over the last couple of days and I think what has transpired is a move in the right direction. This will...

Some 50 key stakeholders within the agricultural sector are benefitting from a training initiative, as part of Government’s ongoing effort to ensure compliance with international food safety standards. The five-day course in good agricultural practices is being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), through funding from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund...

The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is being earmarked by the Government for management under private concession by 2014. Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, says the undertaking will be implemented under a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, adding that a Cabinet-approved Enterprise Team has been appointed to oversee the process. Speaking at a media briefing...

The St. Catherine Parish Council has begun a drive to build safer communities and enhance public order across the parish. The Council has officially launched the Parish Safety and Security Committee, which will spearhead a campaign to increase the citizens’ participation in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of actions to improve their safety and security. Speaking at the launch,...

The Senate, on Friday, February 15, passed three Bills to remove flogging and whipping from the country’s statute books. The Bills passed were: the Larceny (Amendment) Act 2012; the Law Reform (Flogging and Whipping) (Abolition) Act, 2012; and the Obeah (Amendment) Act 2012. Cabinet gave approval for the drafting of the Bills, which are in support of the Government’s commitment...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is to collaborate with parish councils in its public education effort of encouraging persons to dispose of their garbage appropriately. Regional Operations Manager for the NSWMA, Eifert Daley, said a great deal of time is spent by the agency to clean the streets of waste thrown by persons who refuse to utilize the...

The National Water Commission (NWC) has embarked on a $3 billion rehabilitation programme targeting some 445 water tanks islandwide for repairs, among other activities. This undertaking forms part of overall drought mitigation efforts being pursued by the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change. Speaking at the recent commissioning of the Cascade water system in St. Ann, Portfolio Minister,...

A total of 55 new buses are slated to arrive the island shortly to boost the fleet of the state-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC). Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, who has portfolio responsibility for the JUTC, told journalists at a media briefing at the Ministry on Friday, February 15, that the buses, which are...

Health Minister, Hon. Fenton Dr. Ferguson, has lauded the various charitable organisations and individuals, who continue to provide tangible support to the health sector, which he said, amounted to billions of dollars last year. He named Food For the Poor in particular, which this week donated operating theatre lights, wheelchairs, stretchers, hospital beds and sofas for waiting areas, valued at...

Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, has announced that legislation aimed at strengthening the Government’s Restorative Justice Programme is expected to be piloted through the Houses of Parliament during the 2013/14 financial year. Speaking at the Ministry’s restorative justice workshop, hosted at the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Lucea, Hanover, on Saturday, February 16, Senator Golding said legislative...

Work on the Palisadoes Shoreline Protection Project in Kingston has been completed within budget, Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, has announced. He made the disclosure during Friday’s, February 15, media briefing at the Transport, Works and Housing Ministry’s offices in Kingston, where he updated journalists on a range of projects and developments, being spearheaded by...