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The National Water Commission (NWC) now continues islandwide assessment of the level of damage from Hurricane Sandy, while simultaneously effecting repairs to its facilities and systems. All water supply and wastewater systems that can be operated are now being operated. Steps are also being taken to effect emergency repairs and conduct other critical activities to restore piped water supply to...

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The Meteorological Service has discontinued the Hurricane Warning for Jamaica as significant improvement in weather conditions is now being experienced after the passage of Hurricane Sandy. The island is no longer at threat of hurricane or tropical storm force winds as Sandy continues to move away. At 4:00 a.m. the centre of Hurricane Sandy was located near Latitude 20.9 degrees...

  The issue of climate change was the hot topic for scores of students from schools across the island who participated in the 37th United Nations Model Assembly, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston, today (October 22). The students, representing various countries, debated the moot, Be it resolved that: ‘Climate change poses the most serious threat to the...

  The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising the public to begin preparations in the event the country is impacted by a tropical storm. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Jamaica as the area of low-pressure over the southern Caribbean has developed into a Tropical Depression and is expected to further strengthen while...

  The Government has taken a further step towards improving the environment in which business-related activities are facilitated and conducted locally. This, through the establishment of a Bureaucracy Hotline, 1-888-REDTAPE (733-8273) in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. The hotline was formally unveiled by portfolio Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, in his capacity as Chairman of National Competitiveness Council (NCC),...

The Manchester Parish Council is welcoming the move by Government to strengthen the country’s system of environmental planning and regulation, through the establishment of an Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA). Spatial/Physical Planner at the Council, Ryan Wallace, told JIS that if the ERA is implemented then it should have powers to be able to make arrests so as to enforce the...

The second in a series of public consultations on the Green Paper for the establishment of an Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA), was held at the Montego Bay Civic Centre, St. James, recently. The meeting was hosted by the Public Sector Modernization Division (PSMD) in the Office of the Cabinet, and included presentations and discussions on the proposed reform of Jamaica’s...

Professor at the University of the West Indies, Anthony Clayton, says Jamaica needs a strong national planning agency to address matters relating to the environment and there are plans ahead to upgrade the National Environment Planning Agency (NEPA) into such an entity. Professor Clayton made the observation while addressing the first in a series of public meetings on Friday, October...

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Co-ordinator and Representative to Jamaica, Dr. Arun Kashyap, has underscored the need for governments to ensure that Disaster Risk Reduction is streamlined as an integral component in the equitable and inclusive development of their countries. In a message to mark World Disaster Risk Reduction Day on October 13, under the theme: ‘Act Now, Save...

The first in a series of public meetings on the setting up of an Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) will be held on Friday, October 12, at the Cecil Charlton Hall in Mandeville, Manchester, starting at 5:00 p.m. Officials are expected to receive feedback from public and private sector stakeholders on the ERA, which will effectively address environmental, social and economical...

With sections of the island experiencing heavy rainfall recently, resulting in flood damage to roadways, houses and farms, the parish of Westmoreland is on full alert. According to Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator for the parish, Rev. Hilma Tate, all shelters have been inspected and certified, and relief supplies secured and stockpiled for any eventuality. "In spite of the rainfall (experienced in...