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The mobile blood collection unit that was handed over to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) by the United Kingdom (UK)-based Angel Foundation in January 2015.

Blood Bank Wants More Regular Donors

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) or Blood Bank is looking to attract consistent numbers of voluntary donors as the entity seeks to meet its annual target of approximately 60,000 units. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, NBTS Blood...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), accepts a copy of the Caribbean Journal of Strategic and Security Studies from Chief of Defence Staff, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Major General Rocky Meade, at the launch of the journal at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge, University of the West Indies (UWI) on January 21.

JDF Launches Caribbean Security Journal

In this file photo, Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, is in discussion with Acting Commissioner of Police, Novelette Grant (right), during an interactive session with heads of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (January 17).

Next Commissioner to Come from JCF – Minister Montague

Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Dr. Dwayne Vernon, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank.

SDC Secures $5.1 Million for Community Groups

National Security Minister, Hon. Robert Montague (right), is briefed on operations by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), by Director of Immigration, Orlando Williams (left), during a tour of the agency’s head office on Constant Spring Road in St, Andrew on January 19. Listening is Immigration Officer, Kamala Morris-Anderson.

Government Awaits Architectural Designs for New PICA Head Office

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney (centre) highlights components of the Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) at a JIS Think Tank session. The ICDP aims to promote public safety and transformation through the delivery of basic infrastructure and social services in 18 communities. Also present are: Systems Operation and Environment Manager, JSIF, Dr. Milton Clarke (left) and General Manager of Technical Services, Loy Malcolm.

9 years ago Social Security

18 Communities Benefit from Social Intervention Initiatives

Some 18 communities across the island are benefiting from various social interventions and infrastructural initiatives being undertaken by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), aimed at promoting public safety and transformation. The initiatives are being administered as part of the Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) and funded through a US$42-million loan from the World Bank. The project, which commenced in...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw (seated, left); and Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica, Malgorzata Wasilewska (seated, right) affix their signatures to copies of the document for the disbursement of €6.5 million (J$910.2 million) in EU grant funding to Jamaica. At centre is Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda. Overseeing the process is Senior Negotiations Officer in the Finance Ministry, Nadine James. The signing took place at the National Heroes Circle offices of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in Kingston on January 19. The money is being provided under the EU’s Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries, Jamaica (AMS 2013) Project, which provides support to the country’s sugar industry.

9 years ago AgricultureFinance & Public Service

More Assistance for Residents in Sugar-Dependent Areas

Residents in sugar-dependent areas across the island are to benefit from an additional €6.5 million (J$910.2 million) in grant support from the European Union (EU). The money, which is being provided under the EU’s Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries, Jamaica (AMS 2013) Project, was officially handed over on January 19 during a ceremony at the National Heroes Circle offices...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir. Patrick Allen (right), is in conversation with Chairman of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) Committee, Rev. Dr. Stevenson Samuels, during the 37th staging of the NLPB at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, January 19.

9 years ago Executive

G-G Says Leaders Must Heal and Transform the Nation

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is reminding the country’s leaders of the significant role they must play in the healing and transformation of the nation. Addressing the 37th staging of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (January 19), he said leaders must help the people of...

Director General of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Ansord Hewitt (2nd right), presents a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Kent Gammon (2nd left), while Chief Executive Officer of the CAC, Dolsie Allen (left), and General Counsel for the OUR, Cheryl Lewis, look on. The MOU, which was signed on January 19 at the CAC’s corporate offices in St. Andrew, aims to streamline the operations of the CAC and the OUR to achieve speedy redress for consumer complaints.

9 years ago

Lodge Complaints with Utility Providers First – OUR

Consumers are being urged to lodge complaints with utility providers before seeking the assistance of the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) for redress. “Our urge is that (consumers) use the company as the first stop, because the company must have mechanisms to resolve the complaints of their customers and we are going to hold the companies accountable for that,” said...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (second left), looks on as Court Statistician, Dr. Denarto Dennis (right); and Data Entry Clerk from the St. Ann Parish Court, Shanique Davis (seated), demonstrate the use of the Case Management Statistical System, which has been implemented at parish courts across the island. Head of Development Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada, Walter Bernyck; and Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, also observe. Occasion was the official launch of the system on Saturday, January 21, at the Ministry’s Constant Spring Road offices.

9 years ago Justice

Case Management Statistical System Implemented at Parish Courts

The Ministry of Justice has implemented a Case Management Statistical System in parish courts island-wide, which will capture data on criminal matters and enhance the capacity of the justice system to manage backlogs. The system, which was put in place between July and December 2016, was official launched on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Ministry’s Constant Spring Road office. Portfolio...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), is in discussion with Leader of Government Business in the Senate and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, prior to the start of the sitting of Upper House on Friday (January 20).

9 years ago EducationSenate

Senate Approves GCT Regulations

The General Consumption Tax (GCT) Regulations, enabling several entities to file a single tax return, were approved by the Senate on Friday (January 20). This followed endorsement of the Regulations Committee’s report regarding the GCT (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015, under the GCT Act. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, in presenting the report to the...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, helps to prepare a plot for planting, during a tour of Irish Potato farms in Free Hill, St. Ann on January 19.

9 years ago Agriculture

Farmers in St. Ann Urged to Participate in National Irish Potato Project

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, is calling for more farmers in St. Ann to participate in the national Irish potato project. The Ministry is looking to establish 150 acres of crop in the parish. Already, some 75 farmers in areas such as Free Hill are engaged in planting, and...