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Minister with responsibility for Sports, Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley, has reaffirmed the Government's commitment to sports development, based on the strong belief that sports can provide a catalyst for national development. She also implored sponsors to continue to support sporting activities, as a signal to athletes that there are people, who believe in them. Minister Neita Headley was addressing on June...

Early childhood education is set to receive a significant boost with the implementation of the Jamaica 50 Campaign by the philanthropic organisation, Food for the Poor (FFP). The initiative will entail the construction and refurbishing of some 50 of the island’s basic schools, over a 50-month period, at a cost of approximately $150 million. It is being undertaken as the...

Members of the St. James Parish Council have placed tourism and agriculture  at the top of their agenda in meetings, and at Committee deliberations. This was stated by Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris, at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, held at the Montego Bay office of the agency, on June 13. The Mayor explained that  those two areas  provide...

State Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, has welcomed the implementation of two projects by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), which seek to enhance the production of roots, tubers, vegetables and herbs in the region. “These projects are a step in the right direction as they are aligned with the Ministry’s strategic growth areas; onions,...

The Government has engaged Stanley Consultants Incorporated as its representative of the Highway 2000 project. Cabinet, at its sitting earlier this week, approved the award of a US$2.5 million contract to the international engineering consultants. The company will become the National Road Operating and Constructing Company’s (NROCC) technical advisor on all specialist areas of engineering for the project, with services...

Cabinet has approved the extension of the preservation notice over the Blue Lagoon site in Portland for a further six months, from June to December 2012. Making the announcement at the Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on June 13, Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, explained that the notice has...

Manufactures and exporters will now be able to access increased levels of funding through the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA)/ Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association loan programme. Under the facility, which is financed by the EX-IM Bank, firms can now access up to $3.5 million. Previously, exporters could borrow up to $2 million, and manufacturers up to $1.5 million. “We are proud to...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, said that continuous training of the coast guards is of utmost importance as the country continues to grapple with crime. He stated that through exposure to the latest techniques and equipment in diving, they will be better able to carry to out their functions “whether it be from a security perspective, a rescue...

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller says if Jamaica is to achieve sustainable development, disaster risk management must be an essential component. The Prime Minister also said the country must engage in proactive forward planning and disaster preparedness on an ongoing basis. “In the ten year period between 2000 and 2010, the country suffered estimated losses averaging $14...

Following numerous complaints by consumers of excessive price increases in supermarkets and other establishments, Cabinet has instructed the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) to carry out checks. Making the announcement Wednesday June 13 at Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator, the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, said the CAC already has teams...

A number of public health centres that fall under the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) are to benefit from infant scales and length boards donated by the Jamaica Women of Washington Association (JWoW). President of the Washington-based group, Dr. Jacqueline Watson, said the facilities, located in the parishes of St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Kingston, and St. Andrew, would be...

Cabinet, on Monday, reviewed a proposal for the implementation of a mandatory energy efficiency and conservation programme for the public sector. The move comes as Government seeks to diversify energy sources and lower the energy bill, which now stands at some $13.4 billion this year for public entities. As part of the programme, focus will be placed on education and...