Latest

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), listens as Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Omar Frith (second left), addresses staff of the Trelawny Infirmary during a recent psychosocial intervention session. Also listening (from left) are Matron at the Infirmary, Tracey-Ann Bell, and Councillor for Sherwood Division in Trelawny, Dunstan Harper.

SDC Processing Over 170 Applications Under Gov’t’s Church Clean-Up and Restoration Initiative

More than 170 applications have been received and are currently being processed by the Social Development Commission (SDC) under the Government’s Community Church Clean‑Up and Restoration Initiative. The initiative, announced recently by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness,...

Technical Specialist for Socio-Economic Development in the Community Renewal Programme at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Charmaine Brimm, outlines details of this year’s staging of the PIOJ’s Best Practice Symposium for Social and Community Renewal, during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.

Free Transportation Being Provided for PIOJ Best Practice Symposium

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), listen to Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Omar Frith, during a tour of the site of the new Trelawny Infirmary in Falmouth, on Thursday, January 15. At left is Matron of the Trelawny Infirmary, Tracey-Ann Bell.

Shelters Across Jamaica to Be Improved

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr. Gary McKenzie, who has been reassigned the Strategic Operations portfolio, outlines the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s plan to respond in the event the country experiences a major earthquake, during a JIS Think Tank on January 13.

Plans in Place to Respond to Earthquakes – JCF

National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Executive Director, Audley Gordon, speaks at a press briefing held at the agency’s head office in Kingston on Monday (January 12).

NSWMA Sorting Hurricane Debris at Source to Reduce Costs

Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service Think tank.

5 days ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal GovernmentOffice of the Prime Minister

Jamaicans Urged to Build Back Better to Strengthen Earthquake Resilience

As Jamaica continues recovery efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is urging Jamaicans to rebuild in a way that strengthens the country’s resilience to earthquakes. Speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, Director General, ODPEM, Commander Alvin Gayle, said that the post-hurricane season presents a significant opportunity...

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, addresses the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on Tuesday (January 13). The meeting was held at the Corporation’s office in downtown Kingston.

6 days ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

KSAMC Proposes Decentralisation of Waste Management Programme

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has proposed that the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) focus exclusively on regulating Jamaica’s waste management programme. Under the proposal, responsibility for daily waste management activities would be decentralised and assigned to local authorities, in keeping with provisions of the NSWMA Act, 2001, according to Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby....

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon

6 days ago CommunityDevelopmentHurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Individuals, Entities Invited to Adopt Hurricane-Damaged Homes Across St. James

The St. James Municipal Corporation is embarking on an Adopt-a-House programme, which will invite individuals, corporate sponsors and civic partners to adopt, renovate and properly equip damaged homes across the municipality. It will be supported by the Mayor’s Strategy Fund aimed at helping vulnerable residents rebuild and repair their homes following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Addressing the monthly...

Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Public Education Officer, Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, emphasises the importance of preparedness and calm response in the event of an earthquake, while speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.

7 days ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Jamaicans Urged to Stay Prepared and Calm in the Event of Earthquake

Persons are being urged to prioritise preparedness and remain calm should Jamaica experience an earthquake. This urging comes from Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Education Officer, Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, who spoke during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’. He explained that preparation is critical in helping individuals remain composed during disasters. “Don’t panic. I know that’s the easiest thing...

1 week ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

NSWMA Begins Clearing Debris from Independence Park in Black River

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) began clearing debris from Independence Park in Black River, St. Elizabeth, on Monday (January 12). This was noted by Executive Director at the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, at a press briefing held at the agency’s Half-Way Tree Road headquarters in Kingston, on January 12. Mr. Gordon explained that the park was used as a...

1 week ago CommunityFinance & Public ServiceIndustry

PIOJ Symposium to Spotlight Rehabilitation and Reintegration for Community Development

The rehabilitation of ex-offenders and the reintegration of involuntarily returned migrants (IRM) will be the focus of the 10th staging of the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Best Practice Symposium on Social and Community Renewal. The symposium, rescheduled from November 2025 due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa, will now be held on January 27 and 28 at The Jamaica...

National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Executive Director, Audley Gordon, speaks to reporters at a press briefing, held at the agency’s head office in Kingston on Monday (January 12). The briefing was used to outline the operational measures the NSWMA has implemented to accelerate the removal of approximately 500,000 truckloads of debris from hurricane-damaged parishes.

1 week ago CommunityLocal Government

NSWMA Receives More Funds to Clear Hurricane Melissa Debris

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has received $1 billion from the Government to begin clearing the approximately 500,000 truckloads of debris that resulted from the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, noted that the sum is in addition to an initial $500 million that the Authority received shortly after the category-five hurricane devastated...