The Government has set aside $1.54 billion to improve cybersecurity initiatives and purchase telecommunications equipment for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). As outlined in the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the project seeks to facilitate the JDF’s enhanced use of technology to ensure national security. It also seeks to facilitate...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is encouraging nurses to show compassion in caring for patients. He advised them against continuing in the profession if they do not love what they do. “If you don’t love it, don’t continue. It is very important because the only way you are going to practise with compassion is if...

The St. Ann Municipal Corporation has launched a $10-million Dengue Response Programme to bolster the fight against the mosquito-borne disease in the parish. The programme will be rolled out over the next three months across all 16 divisions in the parish. As part of the drive, each councillor will be allocated approximately $300,000 to eradicate mosquito breeding sites in their...

Government Senator, Matthew Samuda is now a Cabinet Minister. He was sworn in at King’s House on Monday (February 17) by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, on the advice of Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Senator Samuda will fill the vacancy left in the Cabinet by the resignation of former Minister without portfolio in...

Electric mobility (e-mobility) will be one of the topics explored at the Fourth Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) Ministerial meeting from February 27 to 28 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James. E-mobility refers to vehicles that are powered by an electric motor and primarily get their energy from the power grid, meaning that they can...

Some 1, 200 residents of 10 communities surrounding the Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO)/Alpart alumina refinery in St. Elizabeth, who have been affected by dust nuisance from the plant’s mud lake, will receive close to $40 million in compensation. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure at a...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reporting that it secured $20.5 million in refunds and compensation on behalf of aggrieved consumers in 2019. Director of Communications at the CAC, Latoya Halstead, told JIS News that the agency resolved 81 per cent of the complaints submitted over the 12-month period. The top three complaints categories that received compensation were motor vehicle...