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The Land and Environment Ministry has pledged to have its proposed National Minerals Policy before Parliament by year-end. Director of the Ministry's Mine Monitoring Unit, Oral Rainford told JIS News that the policy titled, 'The Minerals Industry: Ensuring a Sustainable Minerals Industry' would serve to improve standards within the industry, especially the quarrying sector, and create a level playing field...

To raise the level of awareness among young people on major environmental issues and the importance of conservation and resource management, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) recently held a special seminar for schools at the Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville. In her address, CAC Chief Executive Officer, Dolsie Allen underscored the need for all consumers, including students to do their...

Members of The House of Nyahbingi tribe of Rastafarians in Manchester are to receive two large shipments of hurricane recovery items from the Rastafarian Relief Fund, a Miami-based charity set up to assist members of the Rastafarian tribe worldwide. The items, valued at over US$2,000, include non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items and clothing. The money for the purchases was raised...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has stated that Jamaica's contribution to countries affected by the tsunami disaster in South Asia could take the form of monetary assistance given the magnitude of the disaster and the cost of sending personnel and relief supplies over long distances. Mr. Patterson made the comment during a radio interview on Wednesday (Dec. 29). The Prime Minister...

Land and Environment Minister, Dean Peart today (Dec. 29) convened a meeting with technical officials within the Ministry and its affiliate agencies to discuss the establishment of a tsunami warning system for the Caribbean. The meeting comes against the overwhelming loss of lives, estimated to be over 70,000 and damage to infrastructure in South Asia as a result of the...

The Office of the National Reconstruction (ONR) is helping Jamaican farmers, who suffered devastating losses during Hurricane Ivan, to sow seeds of growth, by providing them with the necessary tools and supplies to begin the replanting process. Agricultural Consultant at the ONR, Neville Condappa, tells JIS News that since October, farmers have been receiving vouchers to purchase fertiliser, seeds, and...

Reconstruction work is to be carried out on some 14 schools in Clarendon under the first phase of the Hurricane Ivan Reconstruction programme being carried out by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). In a JIS News interview on Monday (November 29), Omar Sweeney, Operations Manager at JSIF said that the schools are part of a total of 47 schools...

The Jamaican Association of Bermuda has donated over US$8,000 in cash and kind to the country's recovery effort, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in early September of this year. Of this amount, US$5,000 in cash will go to the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR). A container of food, adult and baby clothing, valued at approximately US$3,400, which has...

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has announced plans to upgrade the Winifred public beach in Fairy Hill Portland, to enhance its appeal to locals and visitors. Dr. Andre Minott, Chief Planner for the UDC, who was speaking at a stakeholders meeting at the Fern Hill Hotel in San San on November 25, informed that the proposed development would be eco-friendly...

Some 5,792 persons in Portland who were affected by Hurricane Ivan, which hit the island on September 10, have registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for government's assistance. In an interview with JIS News, Marie Stampp, Public Assistance Administrator at the Portland office of the Ministry, said that the number included persons from a wide cross section...

Work is to commence next week on the 12 hectares (30 acres) of land in Salt Savannah and 16 hectares (40 acres) in Shearer's Heights Clarendon for the relocation of residents of the Rocky Point and Portland Cottage communities respectively. Chief Executive Officer of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), Danville Walker, who made the announcement during separate meetings with...

Householders who suffered total destruction of their units in the passage of Hurricane Ivan on September 10, can now look forward to the disbursement of cheques, commencing on Wednesday, November 3. Prior to the commencement of disbursements, island wide verifications are being carried out. This disclosure was made by Chief Executive Officer of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), Danville...