More than a dozen operators of local economic initiatives (LEIs) from communities in St. James benefited from business and capacity-development support during an economic empowerment forum staged by the Social Development Commission (SDC). The event was held at the SDC’s St. James Office at Albion in Montego Bay, on Thursday, October 13. The forum, which formed part of the entity’s...

More than 10,000 residents of Exchange and surrounding communities in St. Ann North Eastern now have increased access to water supply, following the completion of work on the Exchange White River re-lift station and replacement of the Upton tank. The facilities, which were upgraded by the National Water Commission (NWC) at a cost of $141 million, were recently commissioned into...

Measures are being taken to restore and protect the mangroves in Southern Clarendon and boost income-generating opportunities for residents. The region has the largest area of mangrove degradation in the island due to, among other things, unsustainable land use activities such as the cutting down of trees to burn coal. Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and...

The World Bank is reporting that Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) economies have largely recovered to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, and the region “has regained some sense of normalcy”. “Employment levels have almost fully recovered… schools have reopened and, with exceptions in the Caribbean, the high rate of vaccination against COVID-19 allowed for a return to normalcy,” the Bank indicated in...

The eastern section of the Greater Portmore Ponds Wastewater Treatment Plant (GPP WWTP) was commissioned into operation on Thursday (September 29), following extensive improvement works valued at $935 million. The project, undertaken by the National Water Commission (NWC), included upgrading of the pump station, rehabilitation of the ponds, construction of new reed beds and other auxiliary civil works. More than...

The National Water Commission (NWC) will be embarking on a pump replacement project, which, along with the installation of renewable energy systems, will generate significant savings for the entity. “We will be making a large capital investment in our pumping systems to ensure that the worst ones are changed out first,” said Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic...

Jamaica’s climate change commitments portray the country’s moral leadership and regard for the international community, says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda. Speaking at the CANCarib Climate Smart Opportunities Summit (CCSOS) Business Bootcamp on Tuesday (September 20), Mr. Samuda said “the argument often comes up [that] even though you...