Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has disclosed that policies are being considered to support local contractors and create a “contractor class” that can execute large projects successfully. The Prime Minister said this is critical, as contractors are instrumental in converting projects under the Government’s Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) programme into growth opportunities. “As Jamaica grows, and we have...

More than 2,000 hectares of mangrove forests across five parishes were impacted by Hurricane Melissa, resulting in the urgent need for restoration and resilience-building efforts. This was disclosed by Manager of the Ecosystems Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Monique Curtis, during a JIS Think Tank held on Wednesday, January 28. Ms. Curtis said preliminary assessments...

The Government is set to begin phase one of the implementation of Jamaica’s One Road Authority (ORA), following Cabinet’s approval of the policy framework for the creation of the executive agency, which will regulate road performance and standards across the island, while directly implementing works on national main roads. The approval mandates a two-phase pathway for the implementation of the...

The $1.7-billion Graded Overlay Emergency Road Rehabilitation (GO) Programme, which targets road infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Melissa, is expected to improve approximately 200 roads by the end of March 2026. This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan. He provided a breakdown of the sums...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says that the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has created the opportunity to rebuild Jamaica better and stronger than before. “So yes, it [hurricane] created a crisis, but every crisis presents an opportunity and we must not waste the opportunity that this crisis has given us. We will rebuild Jamaica much better...

Homeowners are being urged to take proactive steps to ensure that their buildings are safe and structurally sound as the nation continues to observe Earthquake Awareness Month in January. Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank, Past President of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), Lenworth Kelly, said informed decision-making, professional guidance and adherence to proper building...

More than 80 persons have been certified following the successful completion of the Visual Emission Observer Training Programme, commonly referred to as the ‘Smoke School’. Jointly conducted by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and Eastern Technical Associates (ETA), the programme was designed to train and certify participants in measuring the opacity and density of emissions released from stationary...