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Jamaica Records 10 New COVID-19 Cases

Jamaica recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases as at Friday (July 24), bringing the total number of positives for the island to 831. The newly confirmed cases consist of six (6) females and four (4) males, with ages ranging from 16...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre) applauds as Raheem Powell holds the key to his new home at Watson Grove in Bridgeport, St. Catherine, which was handed over during a ceremony on Friday (July 24). Sharing the moment (from left) are Raheem’s mother, Ann-Marie Douglas; Mayor of Portmore, Councillor Leon Thomas; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and Member of Parliament for East Central St. Catherine, Hon. Alando Terrelonge. Minister McKenzie offered housing and educational assistance to Raheem Powell in November 2018 after his needs were highlighted in the press. Raheem, who was unable to pursue further education after grade six as he was without a birth certificate, had participated in the St. Catherine leg of the Ministry's Local Government and Community Development Month Cross-Island Run that year.

PHOTOS: Minister McKenzie Hands Over House to Raheem Powell

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (centre), with community health aides, who are being trained as part of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response. The community health aide training session was held at the Half-Way Tree Primary School on July 23.

PHOTO: Dr. Tufton Attends Community Health Aide Training Session

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney.

Grants For Small And Medium-Sized Tourism And Agriculture Enterprises

National Librarian, National Library of Jamaica, Beverley Lashley.

National Library Offers Virtual History Workshops For Students

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, outlines plans to boost the Jamaica Fire Brigade’s operational capabilities during his 2020/21 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21).

6 years ago Local GovernmentSectoral Debate 2020/2021

JFB To Get 30 Fire Trucks

The Government is acquiring 30 pumpers for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) at a cost of $3 billion. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who has portfolio responsibility for the JFB, says the first 16 units are slated to arrive next March, with the remainder expected by May. Additionally, the Minister said the JFB has been...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses a virtual town hall hosted by the Ministry on July 23.

6 years ago Local Government

Emancipation Park Reopens

Local Government Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says Emancipation Park in St. Andrew has reopened to the public. Parks were among venues allowed to reopen for an initial period of two weeks, beginning June 15. However, Emancipation Park had remained closed. “I spoke with the Managing Director of the National Housing Trust (NHT), which operates Emancipation Park, and the… management wanted...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mike Henry. (File)

6 years ago Labour

Work Permit Committee To Include HEART Representative

The Work Permit Committee that reviews applications must now include a representative from the HEART/NSTA Trust Director of Communications in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Vando Palmer, told JIS News that the move is at the instruction of portfolio Minister, Hon. Mike Henry. He said that the objective is to ensure verification of the availability of skill sets...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. (FILE)

6 years ago CoronavirusLocal Government

Persons Could Be Prosecuted For Refusing To Wear Masks

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says citizens who refuse to wear masks in public could soon face prosecution under the Disaster Risk Management Act. In April of this year, the Government announced the mandatory wearing of masks in public spaces as part of measures to contain transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Wearing the protective device...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, addresses the opening ceremony for the virtual staging of the ‘Christmas in July’ Trade Show at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (July 23).

6 years ago Tourism

Gov’t Building Capacity Of Small And Medium-Sized Tourism Operators To Increase Earnings

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Government is working to build the capacity of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) to increase earnings from the sector. He noted that while 80 per cent of tourism worldwide is driven by SMTEs, “only 20 per cent of the returns from tourism go to this particular sector”. “We want to build...

6 years ago Finance & Public Service

TAJ Provides Update on Extended Relaxation of Compliance Measures

Following the announcement in a release, by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. The Hon. Nigel Clarke, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) wishes to provide the public with further details of the extension of the relaxation of compliance measures that will now be in place up to September 30, 2020 and the implementation of other measures aimed at...

6 years ago Local GovernmentSectoral Debate 2020/2021

Street-Light Installation Project To Be Completed This Fiscal Year

The Government’s three-year LED streetlights installation programme, being implemented by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), is expected to be completed by the end of the 2020/21 fiscal year. Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says approximately 65 per cent of the overall target of 105,000 lights have been installed since the programme’s commencement in the 2017/18...