More

An information exposition hosted by the Jamaica Customs Department will be held on Saturday, January 26, at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA), Old Hope Road, Kingston. The event, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., culminates a week of activities to observe Customs Week 2013 from January 20 to 26, under the theme: ‘Innovation for Customs Progress’. Speaking at a Jamaica...

The Customs Department is reporting revenue collection of $92.61 billion for the period April to December 2012. The amount, while an increase of $9.37 billion or 11 per cent over the same period last year, was a shortfall of $1.15 billion or 1 per cent against the target of $93.77 billion. “We are one per cent behind our year-to-date target...

Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth, Raymond Pryce, is calling for debate on the decriminalisation of marijuana (cannabis sativa) as well as a prescribed legal limit for possession. “This Parliament should debate the practicality, as a human rights issue, the determination of a prescribed amount of cannabis sativa, at or below which there will be no criminal prosecution...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says she is deeply saddened by the death of renowned nutritionist, Dr. Heather Little-White, OD last night (Tuesday, Jan. 22) . “We have lost a dear friend and Jamaica has lost a professional woman of courage whose life exemplified the true spirit of perseverance against the odds,” the Prime Minister said. In a condolence message,...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has launched a brand new data collection system, designed to make their services more efficient and transform the agency into a first-world data collection institute. The difference between the new system and the original one starts with the new system’s name – eDACS - which stands for Electronic Data Collection System. With eDACS, STATIN...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has provided assistance to 6,000 farmers in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which lashed the island on October 24 last year. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, made the disclosure in the House of Representatives on January 22. He was responding to questions posed by Opposition Spokesperson on...

The National Works Agency (NWA) will be introducing major changes to traffic movement in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew, at the Constant Spring Road/South Odeon Avenue and Constant Spring Road/ Hope Road intersections. Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the National Works Agency, Stephen Shaw, said the changes will result in an exclusive pedestrian signal phase at these intersections....

National Security Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting, says that in spite of achievements made last year, crime and corruption remains the main obstacles to rapid growth and development in Jamaica. Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation’s (JEF) 31st annual business and workplace convention and expo, held at the Knutsford Court hotel in New Kingston on January 22, the...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) capacity to effectively investigate property theft using synthetic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology has been boosted with the donation of equipment valued at approximately $1 million by telecommunications firm, Digicel. Some 50 kits, manufactured by British company, Selectamark Security Systems, under its SelectaDNA brand, were presented to Police Commissioner, Owen Ellington, during Tuesday’s (January 22) launch...

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Morais Guy, says the Government is committed to the implementation of policies and projects that will further develop the housing sector and alleviate the current shortage of housing solutions in Jamaica. He said that recent surveys have indicated that Jamaica is facing a deficit of approximately...

A total of $3 billion has been allocated to the National Water Commission (NWC) to undertake a major programme to replace or rehabilitate several of the 445 water storage tanks across the island to bring them to full functionality. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate, Hon. Robert Pickergsill, who made the announcement during the sitting of the House of...

Cabinet has approved $30 million for the trucking of water to drought-affected areas of the country. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, made the announcement during Tuesday’s (Jan. 22) sitting of the House of Representatives, where he addressed measures to alleviate drought conditions currently affecting the island. He said the Ministry will be partnering with...