The Government will begin the buildout of a comprehensive social services response to violence, this year. This will include education and youth services, faith-based and non-governmental organisation (NGO) social partnership initiatives to promote restorative justice and peace building in communities, and social safety net support targeted at those most at risk and vulnerable to violence. Prime Minister, the Most Hon....

An all-of-Government approach will be taken to assist farmers in Portland who have been impacted by recent heavy rains. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, who toured sections of Portland Eastern on Wednesday (January 3) to get a first-hand look at the extent of the damage, said he will be having dialogue with Prime Minister, the Most...

Jamaica recorded a 13 per cent reduction in road fatalities and a 10 per cent decline in fatal crashes last year when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Data from the Road Safety Unit (RSU) in the Island Traffic Authority indicate that 425 road fatalities were recorded, resulting from 384 crashes as at December 31, 2023. Westmoreland, St. Catherine...

The Government will be placing “direct focus” on repairing local and community roads this year, says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. He gave this assurance in his 2024 New Year’s Message as he announced a $20-billion budget allocation. Noting that there has not been a comprehensive and sustained programme of road repairs for some time, Mr. Holness said...

Government support for agriculture will be strengthened this year to boost productivity and enhance the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). Agriculture currently contributes about 8.3 per cent of GDP, and the aim is to get to the nine per cent mark, said Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister, Hon. Floyd Green. “I believe that [this] will be an exceptional...

Significant progress has been made to clear the backlog of traffic tickets in the Corporate Area Traffic Court. Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes, made the disclosure during an interview with JIS News. He informed that this was made possible through the work of the judges as well as the night court. “With regard to the traffic tickets under the Traffic...

It could cost the Government between US$3 million and US$5 million to implement an integrated electronic case management framework for the justice system. This was disclosed by Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes, during a JIS News interview. He said it is proposed to commence the process of developing and operating the electronic case management system in both civil and criminal...