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SALUTATIONS   ·         Master of Ceremony - Ms. Erica Allen ·         His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen ·         Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, Justice Minister  and  Mr. Robert Rainford, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice ·         Mr. Delroy Chuck, representing the Leader of the Opposition ·         His Worship The Mayor, Councillor Owen Palmer ·         Bishop Edwards of Spanish...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) staged a successful earthquake and tsunami evacuation exercise today (February 8) in the fishing community of Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine. The exercise, which encompassed the campuses of the Old Harbour Primary and High schools (Feb. 8), tested the local warning, mobilisation, and evacuation procedures. Senior Director for Emergency Preparedness...

Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, said he is exploring the possibility of establishing a compensation fund to assist victims of crime and violence, where such intervention by the state may be required. Speaking at the official opening of the May Pen Restorative Justice Centre in Clarendon on Tuesday (February 7), Senator Golding said currently, the criminal justice system...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be expanding turmeric and ginger production as it seeks to expand the island's spice industry. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, made the announcement on February 8 during a tour of the Ministry's Export Division on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston. "We will launch, in two weeks time, a project to put into production,...

The United States (US) government has donated vehicles and protective gear valued at approximately $64 million to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to boost its crime fighting efforts. Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, accepted the items, which include 20 motor vehicles, 500 ballistic vests, and 500 tactical uniforms, at a handing over ceremony held Wednesday morning (February 8)...

State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, said support for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) is high on the national agenda, as the Government  seeks to transform the economy to make Jamaica the place for choice to live, work, raise families and do business. She said Government will be implementing programmes for the sector "which facilitate...

The second of four restorative justice centres, earmarked under a pilot project being undertaken by the Ministry of Justice in communities across the island, was officially opened on February 7 in May Pen, Clarendon. Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, opened the centre, located at premises owned by the Social Development Commission (SDC). On Monday (Feb. 6), a similar...

On February 17, nationals across the island will observe Jamaica Day 2012, under the theme:'Celebrating Jamaica: Goals for Gold'.   This year, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) has enlisted the assistance of a number of public and private sector organisations to ensure that the activities to mark the day are bigger and better than ever. The celebrations will be even...

Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, said that the  2nd Supplementary Estimates for the 2011/12 financial year, will be tabled in the House of Representatives on February 21. The budget adjustments, he said, will see sharp reductions in expenditure for 2011/12, which will carry over into 2012/13. He noted however that even with...

Cabinet met on Thursday afternoon, Friday, and for half a day on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Presentations were made by the Financial Secretary, Dr. Wesley Hughes; The Bank of Jamaica Governor, Mr. Brian Wynter; Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson and the Public Sector Transformation Unit. The major issues discussed were the state of the...

Licensed firearm holders are being reminded that weapons left in the care of the police over a protracted period, will be destroyed. The reminder came from the Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, on Tuesday Feb. 7, as he addressed the start of a weapons destruction exercise at the Jamaica Constabulary Forces’ (JCF) Armoury on Elletson Road, Kingston. “I...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, is urging the nation’s youth to pursue education and training opportunities to enhance their competitiveness in the global job market. “The need for additional training to position yourselves with opportunities that will enable you to not only compete in Jamaica, but in the wider world, is a very noble step,” she stated....