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KINGSTON — Prime Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness, is forecasting that the agricultural sector will see continued growth as a result of the "careful plans" that are being implemented by the Government. He said the plans, which include enhancing extension services to farmers, providing fertilizer and other inputs, and bringing technology to the sector, including greenhouses, have brought four consecutive years...

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Dr. Alwin Hales, is to take leave of absence from the Ministry is order to facilitate on-going investigations into the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) and related matters. The move follows a request this morning (Nov. 30) from Dr. Hales to the Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Douglas Saunders, and takes effect...

Prime Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness, has recommended that Hon. Shahine Robinson, be appointed as Minister of Transport and Works. The recommendation has been submitted to Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Patrick Allen. [ Related Story: Minister Henry Tenders His Resignation ] The appointment, which will take immediate effect, follows the resignation of former Minister, Mike Henry, last night....

KINGSTON — The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, has announced the appointment of a new Board of Social Development Commission (SDC). The members have been presented with instruments of appointment and will serve for three years, effective immediately. Former chairman, Lloyd Pommells, has been re-appointed to that position, but the new Deputy Chairman is Silvera Castro,...

KINGSTON — Rather than exhausting itself and becoming an unsustainable drag on the national treasury, an appropriately reformed pensions regime can result in significant savings, while enhancing the security of the pensioner. This message captures the contribution of the Caribbean Actuarial Association (CAA) to the consultationson the Green Paper No. 2 – 2011, "Options for Reform of the Public Sector...

KINGSTON — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon Olivia “Babsy” Grange, says that her ministry is currently in discussions with the University of the West Indies (UWI) on the possibility of establishing a wellness centre, specifically designed to serve athletes. “It is a demonstration of my ministry’s commitment to collaboration that we are considering this project as one...

KINGSTON — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Audrey Sewell, has commended the pivotal role played by educators in developing the emotionally intelligent, articulate and productive citizens needed for national development. "The teaching profession is more than a job. It is a calling: Teachers have the duty to impart knowledge and to nurture and awaken the minds of young...

KINGSTON — As part of efforts to educate the public about local governance and local government reform, copies of the Councillor's Handbook have been given to the Jamaica Library Service. The handbooks were presented by Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Environment, Water, and Local Government, Hon. Shahine Robinson during a ceremony held at the Jamaica Library Service,...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Ministry will be reviewing the number of crops which are currently cultivated commercially in Jamaica. This, in a bid to reduce the number from 64, to between 15 and then 20 and, in the process, streamline the crops in which Jamaica is deemed to have competitive and comparative...

KINGSTON — The operations of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have been boosted with the handing over of several vehicles to the entity by the Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, on November 29, 2011. Presented during a ceremony at the JDF's Up Park Camp headquarters, the 25 trucks with a net worth of approximately $63 million,...

MONTEGO BAY — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon has said that if Jamaica is to make a significant difference in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, the population must be more educated and encouraged to demonstrate more responsible behaviour towards sexual activities. Dr. Dixon was addressing hundreds of participants in the National HIV/STI Programme...

KINGSTON — The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel was established over 50 years ago, as a dedicated office for facilitating the Government in the delivery of its policies, which require legislation. It consists of a cadre of attorneys-at-law headed by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Mr. Albert Edwards and is supported by a dedicated team of administrative professionals and other categories...