The Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, is scheduled to complete rehabilitation of a number of water catchment tanks serving several communities in St. Ann and St. Elizabeth, by August. State Minister, Hon. Ian Hayles, who made the announcement during his Sectoral Debate presentation in the House on June 18, said the tanks, rehabilitation of which is currently...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, says he expects to table the proposed Disaster Risk Management Bill in Parliament during the current fiscal. Passage of the Bill is expected to boost the resources of the National Disaster Fund (NDF), which currently stands at just over $260 million. The move to boost the Fund, the Minister explains,...

With one week into the 2013 hurricane season, the Westmoreland Parish Council is ensuring that it is fully prepared for any system that may affect the island. Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for the parish, Rev. Hilma Tate, told JIS News that 55 of the 85 shelters have already been inspected and shelter managers are being trained. “Public education sessions are presently...

The National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) will be conducting an awareness session and workshop to highlight changes and revisions made to environmental requirement standards under which companies, manufacturers and exporters must operate. The session, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, at the Bureau of Standards, 6 Winchester Road, Kingston, will specifically address the International Standardization Organization/International Electrotechnical Commission(ISO/IEC)...

Approximately $4.1 billion is to be spent by the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) over the next three years to restore and upgrade water supply systems in rural communities. The undertaking is in keeping with Government’s policy to ensure that all households have access to potable water and adequate sanitation by 2015. Speaking with JIS News, Managing Director of RWSL,...

Lieutenant Commander Paul Wright has been appointed as the country’s Disaster Recovery Co-ordinator. This was disclosed by Minister of State with responsibility for Special Projects and Assignments in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Luther Buchanan on Wednesday, May 29, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives. “His substantive task is to promote...

Efforts by the Government to enhance Jamaica’s agricultural competitiveness has been significantly boosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ acquisition of motor vehicles and equipment, valued at approximately $20 million. The items, inclusive of five Volkswagen Amarok pick-up trucks, 15 post harvest kits, and eight computers, were acquired under the US$15 million Agricultural Competitiveness Programme (ACP), funded by the...

Five solar water heaters, three 1,000-gallon water tanks and 15 solar panels valued at some $2.4 million are being installed at the St. Mary Infirmary in the parish capital, Port Maria. Work is being undertaken by members of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), who were among scores of volunteers, who worked at the institution on Labour Day, May 23,...