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Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, addresses the opening of the two-day Ministry of Health/Pan American Health Organization After-Action Review for Hurricane Melissa Response, at the Moon Palace Hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on March 24.

ODPEM Head Says National Response to Hurricane Melissa Was Strong

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, says the national response to Hurricane Melissa was strong, particularly in coordination, “with rapidly mobilised efforts and the unwavering dedication of our front-line teams”. Delivering...

Minister of Local Government & Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), in conversation with Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry (second right); Social Development Commission (SDC) Executive Director, Omar Frith (right) and SDC Board Chairman, Hidran McKulsky. The interaction took place at the Kingston & St. Andrew Governance Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston on Wednesday (March 25).

Churches to Receive Hurricane Grants in April

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), is greeted by Bishop Dr. Herro Blair at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre in Kingston on Sunday (March 22). Dr. Holness delivered greetings at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Deliverance Evangelistic Association.

PM Underscores Church’s Role in Shaping Values

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre, front row), responds to questions on March 6 during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House, where members were reviewing the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure. He is joined by State Minister, Hon. Delroy Williams (left, front row); Permanent Secretary Marsha Henry-Martin (right, front row), and other representatives from the Ministry.

11 Per Cent Increase in Operational Fire Hydrants Nationwide

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre, front), responds to questions during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House on March 6. He is joined by Minister of State, Hon. Delroy Williams (left, front); Permanent Secretary, Marsha Henry-Martin (right, front) and other representatives from the Ministry.

Streetlight Programme to Resume Following Hurricane Disruption

International Population and Development Specialist, Dr. José Miguel Guzman, delivers the Planning Institute of Jamaica

3 weeks ago DevelopmentFinance & Public Service

Development Specialist Urges Investment in Care Economy

Jamaica is being urged to invest in the purple economy, which is focussed on professionalising care work to meet the growing demand for elderly care services, while driving economic growth. International Population and Development Specialist, Dr. José Miguel Guzman, made the suggestion, while delivering the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) recent Dialogue for Development Distinguished Lecture at the Jamaica Pegasus...

3 weeks ago DevelopmentInnovationInvestment

$900 Million Allocated for BIGEE Project

The Government has allocated more than $900 million for the Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (BIGEE) project, which is geared at promoting growth in the business sector. Launched during the 2025/2026 financial year and funded by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBG), the project aims to support sustainable and robust growth among business start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized...

Senator and Councillor for the Montego Bay North Eastern Division, Charles Sinclair (front left), and Community Liaison Officer for the Social Development Commission, Warren Morle (right), present the championship trophy and winning cash prize to the victorious Pelle Drive team following their triumph in the final of the third staging of the Flankers Night Out Netball Competition on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

3 weeks ago CommunityDevelopment

Pelle Drive Wins Third Staging of Flankers Night Out Netball Competition

The third staging of the Flankers Night Out Netball Competition culminated in a thrilling victory for Pelle Drive as the team emerged champions on Sunday (March 1) at the Flankers Netball Court in St. James North Western. In front of a vibrant and supportive crowd, Pelle Drive delivered a commanding performance throughout the knockout tournament to secure the championship title...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

3 weeks ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Gov’t Advancing Public Market Modernisation Plans

The Government is driving the modernisation of public markets as part of a broader initiative to upgrade aging infrastructure and stimulate local economic activity across the island. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, emphasised the critical need to upgrade long-standing market facilities during the contract signing and ground-breaking ceremony for the Alexandria Market in St. Ann...

3 weeks ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Community and Government Unite for St. Ann Infirmary Clean-Up

A united wave of community action and government collaboration culminated in a successful clean-up at the St Ann Infirmary on Saturday, February 28. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, the initiative united national and local agencies in a concentrated effort to restore a safe, comfortable living environment for the infirmary’s 71 residents who had been temporarily...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry (centre), in discussion with former Director General, Dr. Wesley Hughes, during the hybrid 2026 staging of the agency’s Dialogue for Development Lecture at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston on Thursday (February 26). At right is President and Founder of Washington, D.C.-based data analytics and business consulting company, NoBrainerData, Dr. José Miguel Guzmán. The internationally recognised specialist in population dynamics, poverty and climate change adaptation, ageing, and sexual and reproductive health was the featured lecturer at the event.

4 weeks ago Development

Dialogue For Development Lecture Highlights PIOJ’s Policy-shaping Mission

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, says the agency’s Dialogue for Development Distinguished Lecture embodies the entity’s steadfast commitment to shaping policy through rigorous evidence, global perspectives, and inclusive discourse. “Since its establishment in 2001, the Dialogue for Development has served as an important national platform for informed and forward-looking discussion on issues central...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, and Member of Parliament for West Kingston, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre), offers comfort to Jayce Pinnock

4 weeks ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Minister Mckenzie Announces Clean-Up, Reinstalling Streetlights in Denham Town

Following the tragic killing of three-year-old Jayce Pinnock in Denham Town, Kingston, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has announced measures to enhance the safety and security of citizens. The actions include clean-up activities, reinstalling streetlights and cutting overhanging branches. Speaking during a visit to the Edward Seaga Infant School on Monday (February 23), where Jayce...