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“You are a true example of our capacity to overcome all odds and to reap success,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said,  while delivering the keynote address at the Accompong Maroons 2012 Conference,  at the Accompong Resource Centre, in St. Elizabeth, on October 27. The Prime Minister  said that the space of the Maroons is an intangible heritage site that cements their...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, says  early estimates indicate that close to 11,000 farmers across the island have been affected by Hurricane Sandy, with some 1,500 hectares of crops “totally destroyed.” “The level of devastation to the agricultural sector is going to take us a little time to get back on our...

In light of the recent rainfall from Hurricane Sandy which affected the island on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse is urging persons to be vigilant and look for and destroy mosquito breeding sites.  “Remember that the country is experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever. In order to reduce the mosquito...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says Canada remains an important market for Jamaica as it looks to boost visitor arrivals. She said despite the economic recession, tourist arrivals from the North American country grew by 60 per cent between 2008 and 2011, and another eight per cent between January and May of this year. She informed that...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller says there should be protection for countries that are unquestionably at a disadvantage, such as small and vulnerable island states, those with heavy debt burdens, minimal natural resources and those seeking to recover from real shocks. Giving an overview of Jamaica’s financial situation, the Prime Minister said because the country is deemed...

The  Ministry of Health has resumed its vector control operations, which had been suspended, due to the passage of Hurricane Sandy on October 24. This was disclosed by Director of Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services in the Ministry,Dr. Marion Bullock Ducasse,during an  interview with JIS News at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston, on October  26. She informed that...

Corporate Communications Director at the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw, says up to 40 per cent of roads remain impassable up to Thursday evening. Mr. Shaw, who was speaking at a media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), today (October 25), said the NWA had responded to 150 reports of blocked corridors on main and parochial...

LONDON — The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is to host a special reception to celebrate the ‘Golden Jubilee’ of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The reception, which is part of the city’s Black History month celebrations, will be held in ‘London’s Living Room’, at City Hall on Monday, October 29. “As London Mayor, I am particularly proud of the...

The number of persons in shelters across western Jamaica is decreasing, as most of them are returning home, following the passage  of Hurricane Sandy. Checks with Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinators in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny have revealed that at mid-day today (October 25), the number of persons in shelters has dropped from 295 to...

Most of the island’s 25 hospitals have resumed full services, following the passage of Hurricane Sandy on October 24. This was disclosed by Director of Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock Ducasse, during an interview with JIS News, today (October  26), at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital, in Kingston. “All but two of...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting an estimated $700 million in damage to the sector from Hurricane Sandy, which impacted the island on October 24.                 Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says a preliminary assessment is indicating that some areas, particularly banana and farm roads, suffered considerable damage. “The estimates coming out of 11 parishes indicate that we have...

  The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is currently conducting assessments to determine the level of assistance to be provided to persons, who have been seriously dislocated by Hurricane Sandy, which affected the island on October 24. Acting Director of Social Security in the Ministry, Denzil Thorpe, told JIS News that two categories of assessments are being undertaken. The...