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The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), fortified by a budget of some $900 million, is reporting that all is in place for the March 26 Local Government Elections. The upcoming elections, to allow for political representation in 228 divisions in the 63 constituencies island-wide, take place just under three months after the December 29, 2011 General Elections. The voters’ list...

Come March 24, buses operating from the ground floor of the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre will be temporarily relocated to other areas in the vicinity of Half-Way Tree, to facilitate renovation and resurfacing of the area.       Corporate Communications Manager at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Reginald Allen, told JIS News that the ground floor will be closed to all...

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, has called for a renewed partnership involving the state, teachers, parents and students, which will facilitate adequate resources to advance the provision of education, particularly at the secondary level. Speaking at a meeting of  the Jamaica College (JC) Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at the institution’s Old Hope Road campus in St. Andrew, on March...

An Exchange of Information (EOI) Office is soon to be established in Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), to facilitate the receipt and sharing of tax information across international borders.   As a precursor to this development, an exchange of information workshop is now underway at the TAJ's offices in Kingston.   According to a TAJ brief, the exchange of information is critical...

State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, says the Government intends to adopt several strategies to strengthen the capacity for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), to advance national development. Speaking at the launch of a Strategic Roadmap development for STI in Jamaica, at Jamaica House, Tuesday March 13, Mr. Robinson said that although it is...

The Dental Auxiliaries of Jamaica will be hosting their annual conference from March 14 to 16, as part of the effort to educate members about the new trends in dental practice, as well as the importance of providing effective oral health care. The conference, to be held at Breezes Runaway Bay, in St. Ann, forms part of the activities by...

Mrs. Lucille Brodber has been appointed as Project Director for the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP). Mrs. Brodber assumed duties on Monday, March 12, 2012 under the Programme which will operate out of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing. Among her duties will be directing the day to day operations of the Programme/Secretariat, the development and implementation of appropriate...

The issue of tax collection is a critical element of the new medium term economic programme being pursued with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and is fundamental to the country’s development strategy going forward. This was emphasised by Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, at the opening of a three-day Exchange of Information Workshop,...

Government Senator, K.D. Knight, has recommended that Jamaica Day should be celebrated and recognised within the Diaspora, instead of being solely observed locally within the school system. “I long for a Jamaica Day that is recognised in the Diaspora, a Jamaica Day that other school systems, where many Jamaicans are involved in other countries, could find it possible to embrace...

Senator, the Hon. AJ Nicholson announces the appointment of Ambassador Vilma McNish as Jamaica’s new Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union and permanent delegate to UNESCO. This will be Ambassador McNish’s second posting as Head of Mission, having served as Ambassador of Jamaica to Mexico from 2001-2005. During that time, she was also accredited to countries...

Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has reiterated that the ongoing review of the abolition of the user fee policy within the health sector is critical, as it seeks to identify gaps within the sector. He explained that this review will determine the gaps in the system across a number of areas, including human resource, finance and the provision of...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says he is committed to ensuring that all Jamaicans, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, have full and equal access to technology. “This government is committed to levelling the playing field for all Jamaicans,” he said. “We are going to ensure that every square inch of this island is broadband...