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KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is finalising a programme that could boost dairy production, through the increased use of fresh milk in the school feeding programme. Making the disclosure at a press conference on Wednesday (November 16), Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, said that the Ministry will...

MONTEGO BAY — Over 500 households in Benin, Browns Town, St. Ann, now have piped water, courtesy of a project involving the town's Community Development Committee (CDC), the National Water Commission (NWC) and Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, Hon Othneil Lawrence. The project, which came out of requests from the community, at a Social Development Commission (SDC)...

KINGSTON — A child sexual abuse awareness and prevention project, launched recently by the United Church Young Adult Action Movement, is receiving support from state agencies responsible for the protection of children. The 11-month project seeks to reduce incidences of child sexual abuse in Jamaica, by increasing public awareness of the problem and encouraging persons to report cases. It will...

KINGSTON — The newly constructed Old Works Basic School in Watermount, St. Catherine, was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, on Thursday (Nov. 17). Dr. Baugh, who is also the Member of Parliament for West Central St. Catherine where the school is situated, underscored the need for collaborative...

KINGSTON — Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU), Patricia Sinclair-McCalla, says that if Jamaica is to achieve sustainable growth and development, the public sector has to be radically transformed. "Jamaica needs a transformed, cohesive sector that is performance based, efficient, cost effective and service oriented,” she told the Management Institute for National Development’s 18th Annual...

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has challenged members of the business community to ensure that there is greater collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders within the sector, in an effort to enhance the pace of entrepreneurial activities. "We cannot afford as a country, to have ‘hold ups’ in the implementation of entrepreneurial activities...

KINGSTON — The operational capacities of three sugar estates, which the Government has divested to the China National Complete Plant Export Corporation (COMPLANT), have been significantly boosted by the acquisition of some US$15 million worth of machinery and vehicles. The equipment, which have been procured for Frome, Westmoreland; Monymusk, Clarendon; and Bernard Lodge, St. Catherine, include: tractors, trailer heads, and...

KINGSTON — Significant progress is being made on the Constant Spring Water Treatment Plant in Stony Hill, which is being refurbished under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP) at a cost of US$10 million. The project, which is about 70 per cent complete, includes the construction of new basins and reagents, addition systems for pre-treatment, and refurbishing intakes such...

KINGSTON — Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is calling on state agencies to carry out their functions with care for the public, as when they are negligent it costs the state to compensate those who suffer from misconduct. "It is absolutely important for our state agencies to recognise that when they fail to act professionally, there is someone who...

KINGSTON — Jamaicans are being encouraged to get tested for HIV and syphilis on World AIDS Day on December 1. On December 1, Behaviour Change Communication Officer, National HIV/STI Programme, Ministry of Health, Roshane Reid, said that all regional health authorities will be offering free testing for the diseases on the day. “So persons can come out and get tested,”...

KINGSTON — The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has commended the Prime Minister, the Hon Andrew Holness, for his recent actions in relation to the operation of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP). In a release on Saturday (November 19), the Chamber's President, Milton Samuda, said that it was "pleased" with the PM's response to the issue, and congratulated him...

KINGSTON — With the start of the planting season for competitive crops, such as Irish potatoes and onions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is rolling out a $500 million line of credit, through the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), to support the farmers. The funds are being made accessible through the Peoples’ Cooperative (PC) banks, at an interest rate...