Minister of Justice, the Hon. Delroy Chuck, says plea bargaining could become a game changer for the criminal justice system. He argued that the initiative may ease some of the pressures of the country’s overburdened justice system. “The backlog in the court cannot continue. We have to buy into it, because with guilty plea, you save the country an enormous...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will further strengthen their longstanding collaboration on matters related to the country’s tax system. The concept, which has been adapted from the Canadian Revenue Authority’s model, underpins the establishment of a Consultative Committee that will provide a forum for...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reassured the business community that the government is working assiduously to curtail crime in the country. Mr. Holness says the reality is that crime is an impediment to business growth in Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness commented on the crime situation in St. James at the official opening of the GWEST Medical Centre in Fairview, Montego...

The Ministry of Health will, over the forthcoming months, be heightening its public education programme on the effects of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as it intensifies efforts to reduce the high incidence of NCDs impacting the populace. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the campaign aims to promote healthier lifestyles while identifying the ill-effects of unhealthy living. This, he...

Scores of students from schools in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine, participated in an Open Day and Expo, hosted by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) at the Waterfront, Downtown Kingston on November 2. The event was part of activities to mark Fire Safety Awareness Week which was observed under the theme ‘Empowering our People for a Fire-Safe Jamaica’. Acting...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says there will be a strong focus on community, as the Ministry celebrates Local Government and Community Month in November. “We have stressed the importance of community development because it is important that people understand that the Ministry is not just about cleaning drains. It is not just about providing...

The National Identification and Registration Act, 2017, which seeks to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaicans, is expected to be passed at the next sitting of the Senate on Friday (November 10). This is the intention of the Government, as it seeks to secure funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to undertake the project which is being implemented...