Attorney General, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says some $426.4 million was paid by the Government towards judgment debts for the 2016/17 financial year. Making her contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17, Mrs. Malahoo Forte said for the financial year 2016/2017, the Government had originally allocated a budget of $342.2 million towards the...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has signed a $190-million contract for the construction of a modern administrative building for the Portmore Municipal Corporation. Speaking at the signing ceremony at his Hagley Park Road offices in St. Andrew, on Thursday (May 18), Minister McKenzie said the project will provide the Corporation with its own space from...

Accomplished author, Lorna Goodison, has been selected to be Jamaica’s first female Poet Laureate. She is the second nationally appointed Poet Laureate, following Professor Emeritus, Mervyn Morris, of the University of the West Indies (UWI), who held the position from 2014 to 2016. The Poet Laureate is a national honour that recognises a distinguished Jamaican poet for his or her...

Attorney General, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says the efficiency and effectiveness of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in enforcing judgments under the Revised Treaty is a matter of national and regional concern that must be addressed by CARICOM countries. This, she says, is imperative as “many Jamaicans do not believe that the rights they are entitled to under the...

The National Works Agency (NWA) is clearing roads and completing assessments following extensive damage to the infrastructure in several parishes, as a result of the recent heavy rainfall. This has rendered some roads impassable, restricting access to several communities. In an interview with journalists, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NWA, E.G. Hunter, said the focus is now on clearing...

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday (May 17), approved the Political Parties Registration Regulations 2017, Resolution. The Regulations, which were drafted by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) under the Representation of the People Act, provide a framework for the registration and deregistration of political parties, while also facilitating a system whereby an accurate and up-to-date record can be kept...

The Government will be providing financial assistance to persons who have been severely affected by recent flood rains. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the funds will be taken from the Consolidated Fund. "The Government has to now go and take a second look at its Budget to see what areas we may have to reallocate, postpone expenditure...