The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) will, in short order, roll out a major maintenance programme across the parish of St. Elizabeth. Addressing the monthly meeting of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation on February 10, JPS’s Parish Manager, David Lewis, said the initiative will include vegetation management, equipment changes, pole change and pole rehabilitation. “We have actually done our assessment...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the Government has developed a strategic framework to guide the introduction of electric vehicles (EV) in Jamaica. Delivering the Throne Speech to mark the ceremonial opening of Parliament in Gordon House on February 10, the Governor-General noted that an Electric Vehicle Council has been established, which will oversee the implementation...

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET), Hon. Daryl Vaz, says tanker drivers are set to benefit from a rate increase. Speaking in the House of Representatives on February 1, Mr. Vaz said since 2013, wage negotiations between the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTDA) and the Petroleum Haulage Contractors’ Association (PHCA) have been stymied, due to the dissolution of the...

The Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) is supporting the National Broadband Initiative by offering the use of its utility poles for the running of aerial fibre. “This permission was received last week and already JPS and the National Works Agency (NWA) are in discussions regarding the manner in which the works will be executed,” said Minister of Science, Energy...

Pieces of legislation under the portfolio of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology are to be amended to provide for increases in monetary penalties and custodial sentences. This follows Cabinet’s approval of the increases that were recommended by the Science, Energy and Technology Ministry. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure at a virtual...

The Ministry of Transport and Mining, through the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), is partnering with small farmers across the country to boost cultivation of the castor oil plant to produce biodiesel for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, who made the disclosure, said that the Ministry will be moving to secure some 5,000 acres...

Chief Regulator, Government Electrical Regulator (GER), Horace Buckley (second left), addresses a virtual GER public consultation, held recently. Others (from left) are Chair of the Steering Committee, GER Secretariat, Sandra Graham; Manager (Licensing, Registration, Examination), GER, Suzette Sylvestor; and Chief Compliance Officer, GER, Courtney Sinclair. The GER, which replaces the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI), is responsible for the regulation of...