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Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (3rd left), turns a switch to officially commission into service the rehabilitated six-million gallons per day, and new five-million gallons per day National Water Commission (NWC) water treatment plants at Martha Brae, Trelawny, on Friday, February 13. Work on the facilities was carried out by the NWC at a cost of approximately $1.6 billion, under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP). Those sharing the occasion, include: Acting NWC President, Mark Barnett (2nd left); Falmouth’s Mayor, Councillor Garth Wilkinson (2nd right); and Attorney General and Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, where the facilities are located, Hon. Patrick Atkinson (right).

$1.6 Billion Upgrade for Martha Brae Water Systems in Trelawny

Water supplied to approximately 200,000 residents served by the National Water Commission’s (NWC) facilities at Martha Brae, Trelawny, will be significantly boosted to 11 million gallons per day, following the completion of two major projects, valued approximately J$1.6 billion, at...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (centre), and Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (right), are engaged in discussion by Chief Executive Officer, SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH), John Gayle, during Tuesday’s (February 17) launch of SCJH’s “Navel String” tree planting project at the National Water Commission’s (NWC) artificial groundwater facility, at Innswood, St. Catherine. One million trees are earmarked to be planted over the next four years under the initiative, at a cost of over $25 million.

One Million Trees to be Planted Under Navel String Project

Minister of State for Agriculture, Labour and Social Security. Hon Luther Buchanan (right), converses with Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Denise Herbol, during a graduation ceremony at the Girl Guides Association headquarters in Kingston, today (February 5). During the ceremony, 186 persons graduated from the Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate Change (Ja REEACH) project’s climate-smart agriculture farmer field school and climate change action training programme.

Climate Change Mitigation Programmes Reaping Success – Buchanan

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips (left), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Representative for Jamaica, Therese Turner-Jones, sign copies of the $1.97 billion (US$17 million) IDB Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism for the Pilot Programme for Climate Change agreement, at the Ministry in Kingston, on Wednesday (February 4).

Boost for Country’s Climate Resilience

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill addresses a public consultation with stakeholders held at the Negril Community Centre on Friday January 30. The Minister announced that he will shortly be signing a new development order for the Negril/Green Island area which will allow for the construction of buildings up to 4 floors high.

New Development Order for Negril/Green Island

Director, Business Services, at the National Land Agency (NLA), Lori-Ann Thompson, speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on January 28. She reported that there has been a significant drop in the level of complaints from customers, since the agency introduced several measures to improve the level of service.

11 years ago EnvironmentJIS Think Tank

NLA Reports Significant Reduction in Complaints

The National Land Agency (NLA) is reporting a significant reduction in the number of complaints it receives form persons using its services. Director of Business Services at the NLA, Lori-Ann Thompson, attributes the decline to better ‘on-the-ground’ communication and changes effected at the agency. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on January 28, Mrs. Thompson said that as a result,...

11 years ago Environment

Do Not Steal NIC Property

Members of the public are urged to desist from stealing National Irrigation Commission (NIC) property, such as water meters, pipes and pumping equipment, by Director of Engineering and Technical Service, Milton Henry. In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Henry said the NIC has been grappling with this problem for years. “We have lost millions of dollars due to the...

11 years ago Environment

Earthquake Awareness Programme Underway In Westmoreland

The Westmoreland Disaster Committee is undertaking an extensive earthquake education programme as part of activities for Earthquake Awareness Month in January. Speaking in an interview with JIS News on Tuesday (January 20), Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for the parish, Rev. Hilma Tate, said the programme involves lectures, drills, expositions and demonstrations/simulations at schools, libraries, community centres, as well as business places...

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, delivers the keynote address at the media launch of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Research Days 2015, held on January 20 at the St. Andrew campus.

11 years ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentVision 2030

Climate Change Policy and Action Plan to be Tabled this Month

The Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan will be tabled in the House of Representatives this month. This was disclosed by Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill today (January 20), at the media launch of Research Days 2015, at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. The Policy and Action Plan, which has...

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill M.P.

11 years ago Environment

Minister Pickersgill to Tour Port Antonio Water and Sewerage Project

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, will examine the progress of works under the $1.83 billion Port Antonio Water, Sewerage and Drainage Project, when he tours the Portland capital on Wednesday, January 14. He will be accompanied by Minister of State, Hon. Ian Hayles, and will be joined by the Portland Members of Parliament, and...

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, says the first 14 water pumps procured under the pump and tank rehabilitation programme will arrive in the island by year-end.

11 years ago Environment

Equipment Procured For Pump And Tank Programme

The Government has procured 14 water pumps for the billion dollar pump and tank rehabilitation programme. The equipment, slated to arrive in the island by December 31, represents the first batch of approximately 30 specialised pumps that have been ordered for the programme. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, made the disclosure to JIS News,...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew, Hon. Damion Crawford (2nd L), discusses aspects of the mitigation strategies to be implemented in the Bedward Gardens community with Research Analyst at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Christopher Gayle (L), and Councillor for the area Artnel McDonald (R). Occasion was the breaking of ground for the mitigation project on Thursday (Dec.11) in the community.

11 years ago CommunityEnvironment

$82 Million Landslide Mitigation Project Launched in Bedward Gardens

Ground was broken on Thursday (December 11) for an $82 million landslide mitigation project in the community of Bedward Gardens in rural St. Andrew. The project is aimed at reducing the community’s vulnerability to landslides, soil instability, flooding and falling boulders. It is part of a larger US$2.4 million Landslide Risk Reduction Mitigation programme encompassing four communities, which is being...