The  Office  of  Disaster  Preparedness  and  Emergency  Management  (ODPEM)  in  response  to  the March 16, 2014 fire at the Riverton City Solid Waste Dump has activated its National Emergency Protocol. The blaze which began early Sunday morning prompted  a response from the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the  Jamaica  Defense  Force,  the  National  Solid  Waste  Management  Agency,  the   National Environment and Planning...

The Water Resources Authority (WRA) will be intensifying activities this year in ensuring that more Jamaicans, particularly those in rural areas, have access to potable water. Managing Director of the WRA, Basil Fernandez, tells JIS News that the agency will be working more closely with the National Water Commission (NWC), Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL), and the National Irrigation Commission...

The Rapid Response Unit and Rural Water Limited have merged to provide better service to residents of rural Jamaica, who are impacted by drought conditions. This was disclosed to JIS News by Minister of State in the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Ian Hayles. “The synergies that will now be developed will enhance the common goal, whether...

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, says it is imperative that Jamaica takes steps now to address climate change, given the extreme weather events in many parts of the world, and the projections from the experts that these will increase or intensify. “Adapting to climate change won’t be easy but it makes sense. Given the...

The Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP II) will roll out its services to five western parishes next month, as the Government continues to make good on its pledge to ensure that more Jamaicans access titles for property they occupy. Project Director, Lisa Campbell, tells JIS News that LAMP II will shortly become available in St. James, St. Ann, Westmoreland,...

The Government, in a move to provide greater protection for the country’s forests, will be licensing sawmills and operators of power saws. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, made the announcement on Friday (Feb. 21), as he addressed the launch of the Spring Dunrobin and Hillside Local Forest Management Committees, at the White Hall Baptist...

The agricultural sector and coastal towns have featured prominently in the series of consultations on Climate Change and its likely impact on the country. They are being hosted by the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, to heighten the public’s awareness of the impact of climate change on communities. The next consultation will...