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Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, converses with REALTORS® Association of Jamaica President, Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson (left), and Head of Sales and Distribution at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Yvette Anderson . The occasion was the Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (February 26). The event was hosted by the Association under the theme: ‘Strengthening Partnerships for a More Efficient, Transparent, and Sustainable Real Estate Sector’.

Gov’t To Divest Soapberry Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Government will go to market this year to divest the Soapberry Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Catherine. Under the divestment arrangement, the plant’s capacity will be doubled and its operations upgraded from secondary to tertiary treatment. This move is...

Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, delivers remarks as REALTORS® Association of Jamaica President, Gabrielle Gilpin‑Hudson, listens attentively. The occasion was the REALTORS® Association’s Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (February 26).

Gov’t Investments to Deliver Water Resilience for Kingston and St. Andrew

Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, delivers remarks at the Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (February 26). The leadership breakfast was hosted by REALTORS® Association of Jamaica under the theme 'Strengthening Partnerships for a More Efficient, Transparent, and Sustainable Real Estate Sector'.

J-SRAT Being Utilised to Build Resilience

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, gives remarks during mangrove clean-up activities in Parottee, St. Elizabeth on Monday (February 2).

Damaged Wetlands in Parottee Being Restored

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) received a donation of hurricane relief items from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Caribbean to support protected-area workers and their families who have been affected by Hurricane Melissa. The handover took place on January 27 at BL Williams International Limited, Newport West, Kingston. Participating in the handover (from left) are Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Management and Sustainability Division, NEPA, Anthony McKenzie; Botanist, Natural History Museum of Jamaica, Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), Keron Campbell; Safety and Security Coordinator, Para la Naturaleza, Manuel Mercado Martin; Community Development Officer, Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, Claudine Townsend; Conservation Science Officer, Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT), Shane Brown; and Director, Planning, Projects, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Division, NEPA, Ainsworth Carroll.

PHOTO: NEPA Receives Donation of Hurricane Relief Items

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda (left), and Manager of the Ecosystems Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Monique Curtis, participate in a recent JIS Think Tank.

3 months ago EnvironmentVision 2030

Protection of Wetlands Linked to Long-Term Development Goals

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the protection of wetlands is critical to achieving the country’s long-term development goals under Vision 2030. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, Minister Samuda explained that wetlands play a direct role in advancing several of Jamaica’s national outcomes under Vision 2030, including climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, water security...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda (left), speaks at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank. With the Minister is Manager of the Ecosystems Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Monique Curtis.

3 months ago Environment

Environment Minister Says Community Involvement Critical for Protection of Wetlands

As Jamaica joins the global community to celebrate World Wetlands Day, today (February 2), Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says community involvement is critical to the protection and restoration of the country’s wetlands. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, Minister Samuda stressed that Government agencies alone cannot manage or restore wetlands at the scale...

Manager of the Ecosystems Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Monique Curtis, provides details on the more than 2,000 hectares of mangrove forest impacted by Hurricane Melissa during a JIS Think Tank on Wednesday, January 28.

3 months ago Economic Growth & Infrastructure DevelopmentEnvironment

Over 2,000 Hectares of Mangrove Forests Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

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...

3 months ago Environment

Significance of Wetlands Highlighted

Jamaica’s wetlands are providing natural protection valued at tens of millions of dollars annually, reducing the impact of storm surge, flooding and erosion, while safeguarding coastal communities and critical infrastructure. This was highlighted during a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, where Government officials underscored the role of wetlands as a cost-effective defence against the increasing impacts of climate change. Minister of...

Manager of the Ecosystems Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Monique Curtis, speaks about the importance of wetlands in sustaining livelihoods, during a Think Tank on Wednesday (January 28) at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Television Department, South Odean Avenue, Kingston.

3 months ago Environment

Jamaica’s Wetlands Sustaining Thousands of Livelihoods

Wetlands across Jamaica are sustaining thousands of livelihoods while providing critical ecological services, underscoring their importance not only as protected spaces but as living systems essential to national development and community survival. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday (January 28) as Jamaica prepares to observe World Wetlands Day 2026, Manager of National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Ecosystems...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, speaks on the importance of wetlands, during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday (January 28).

3 months ago Environment

Environment Minister Underscores Wetlands’ Value to Jamaica’s Resilience

As Jamaica prepares to observe World Wetlands Day 2026 on February 2, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has emphasised the critical role of wetlands in safeguarding the nation’s environment, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday (January 28), Minister Samuda noted that wetlands are deeply woven into...

Environmental Consultant with Eastern Technical Associates (ETA), Marty Hughes (front, third left), shares a moment with persons across the island who participated in the recent three-day Visual Emission Observer Training Programme (Smoke School), at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) Football Field on Old Hope Road in Kingston. The training involved partnership with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

3 months ago Environment

Gov’t Builds Capacity to Improve Air-Quality Monitoring and Compliance

The Government continues to strengthen the country’s capacity to improve air-quality monitoring and regulatory compliance, by facilitating the training of personnel from key industries and regulatory entities under the Visual Emission Observer Training Programme. Popularly known as ‘Smoke School’, the programme is delivered twice per year through partnership involving the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and United States (US)-based...