Jamaica has been making steady progress in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly since the implementation of the Disabilities Act in 2022. Chief among this is the establishment of the Disabilities Rights Tribunal, which was created under Section 15 of the Act. Since its inception in 2023, the Tribunal has been instrumental in addressing complaints related to education,...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is urging persons to adopt a simple yet life-saving habit of closing their bedroom doors while sleeping. Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that this practice can increase survival chances and reduce the spread of fires. “Once you go into the room to sleep, close your door. If a fire starts, for argument’s sake...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is eyeing the Independence period as a timeline for the completion and reopening of the Buff Bay market in Portland. The Minister visited the facility recently, where he reminded that the market was one of those chosen to be renovated when Jamaica had celebrated its 50th year. “So, we want...

The St. James Municipal Corporation and Mastercard have forged a partnership to digitise payment systems for traders operating at the Harbour Street and Old Fort Craft Markets in Montego Bay. This collaboration was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the St. James Municipal Corporation/Mastercard Vendor Engagement Event and Training at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre...

The recently appointed three-member panel to conduct an administrative review of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) building approval process will be providing recommendations for reform. The review is intended to improve efficiency and transparency of the building development approval process. At a recent monthly meeting of the KSAMC, at the Corporation’s downtown Kingston offices, Mayor of Kingston,...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) says a comprehensive report on the progress of removing garbage from the Morant Bay landfill in St. Thomas to the Riverton landfill in Kingston is expected to be delivered by March. Speaking during the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation’s monthly sitting in Morant Bay on February 13, Public Cleansing Inspector in charge of Western...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is clamping down on illegal dumping sites or mini dumps in St. Thomas communities. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation on February 13, Public Cleansing Inspector in charge of Western St. Thomas, Kashane Grossett, said the issue is a pressing one, and has even been noticeable on the...