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Leader of the Opposition, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller.

PM instructs Ministry of Health to take action to reduce effects of Zika Virus on Jamaicans

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has instructed the Ministry of Health to take a proactive approach to reduce the threat of the Zika Virus and its possible impact on Jamaican citizens. The announcement was made by Minister of Health, Hon....

The Aedes Aegypti Mosquito which transmits Zika virus.

Government Treating Threat of ZIKA Virus with National Urgency

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris (centre), cuts the ribbon to officially open the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) training centre in Montego Bay, on January 20. Others (from left) are: Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Pamella Folkes and Commissioner General of the TAJ, Ainsley Powell.

TAJ Opens Training Centre in Montego Bay

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, highlights the successes of the Ministry during a recent JIS Think Tank.

Minister Hylton Cites Successes in Business Reform

Region One Vice President of the National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC), Benjamin Fraser.

National Secondary Students’ Council Stages Prayer Rally

Director General of the National Council on Science and Technology (NCST), Professor Errol Morrison.

10 years ago Technology

NCST Pushes for Regulation of Roots Drinks

The National Council on Science and Technology (NCST) is to propose amendments to the Food and Drug Act to set standards for natural health drinks. Director General of the NCST, Hon. Professor Errol Morrison, told JIS News that there are several roots drinks on the market and while they may have some health benefits, “they need to come under some...

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham Mcneill (second left), along with (from left), Member of Parliament for St. Mary South East, Dr. Winston Green; Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Mr. Dennis Hickey; Contractors Mr. Junior Leslie and Mr. Michael Evans sign contracts valued at over $58 million for the upgrade of the Lyssons Beach in St. Thomas and the Marking Stone Beach in St. Mary, under the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) National Beach Development Programme. The ceremony was held at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on January 20. Also pictured are (from left, standing), Board member of the TPDCo, Miss Rosie Carty; Executive Director of the TEF, Clyde Harrison; and Senior Director of Corporate Communications at the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Mr. Kingsley Roberts.

10 years ago Tourism

Lyssons and Marking Stone Beaches To Be Upgraded

The Lyssons Beach in St. Thomas and the Marking Stone Beach in St. Mary are set for upgrade, following the signing of contracts valued at some $58 million, under the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) National Beach Development Programme. Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, speaking at the signing ceremony, hosted at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on...

Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies (second left), tours the eastbound off ramp section of Highway 2000 near Old Harbour, which was officially opened today (January 20). Also on the tour are (from left): Managing Director of TransJamaican Highway, Guillaume Allain; Permanent Secretary in the Transport, Works and Housing Ministry, Audrey Sewell and State Minister in the Transport, Works and Housing Ministry, Hon. Richard Azan.

10 years ago Transport

Students to Benefit from Opening of Eastbound Off Ramp Road Near Old Harbour

The official opening of the eastbound off ramp section of Highway 2000 near Old Harbour, St. Catherine, is expected to significantly benefit students and business operators utilizing the roadway from May Pen, Clarendon to access that town. “This is of equal importance to May Pen as it is to Old Harbour. A large percentage of school children attending school in...

Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley (left), addresses today’s (Jan. 20) Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston. Others (from second left) are: Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Kevin Harvey; and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marion Bullock Ducasse.

10 years ago Health & Wellness

GOV’T Upgrading UWI Lab to Test for Zikv

The Government is spending $10 million to upgrade and improve the Virology Laboratory at the University of the West Indies (UWI) to ensure that testing for the Zika Virus (ZikV) can be conducted locally. This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley, during today’s (January 20) Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in...

Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) students Odane Allison (2nd left) and Shanesha Simpson (2nd right), show off their scholarship award contracts. Occasion was the presentation ceremony for the Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) Monica Silvera Awards on January 18, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. Eight final year students of the CMI were presented with scholarships valued at $2.4 million (USD$20,000) to cover their tuition costs. Sharing the moment are Principal of the CMI, Dr. Fritz Pinnock (left), and President of the CSA, David Jean Marie.

10 years ago Transport

CMI Students Receive $2.4 Million in Scholarships

Eight final year students of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) have received scholarships valued at J$2.4 million (US$20,000) from the Monica Silvera Scholarship Foundation, which is administered by the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA). The students are Horatio McLean, Odane Allison, Joel Neita, Shanesha Simpson, Romario Williams, Nejeir Mateland, Ricardo Hopwood and Ramar Lovelace. They have received US$2,500 each to cover...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), listens to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Colette Roberts Risden, during a meeting with staff at the St. Andrew offices of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT), today (January 19).

10 years ago Labour

Office of the IDT to be Established in Western Jamaica

Persons in the western end of the island will later this year have full services of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT), as the Government will be establishing an office there to arbitrate on labour disagreements. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, who made the disclosure, said it is part of several measures to strengthen the IDT...

Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley (centre), having a light exchange with (from left) Mayor of Kingston, Senator, Dr. Angela Brown Burke and General Manager, Caribbean Cement Company, Alejandro Vares, prior to the launch of a partnership among the Ministry of Health, Caribbean Cement Company Limited and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), at the Spanish Court Hotel, in New Kingston, today (Jan. 19). The initiative will see Caribbean Cement providing $2 to employ 100 persons to carry out vector control activities in identified areas across Kingston and St. Andrew. The Ministry of Health will train the individuals, while the KSAC will supervise them.

10 years ago Health & Wellness

Health Ministry to Intensify Vector Control Programmes

Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley, says the Ministry will be intensifying its vector control programmes, while ensuring that there is adequate supply of pharmaceuticals, among other necessities needed for the possible introduction of the Zika Virus (ZikV). “We will make sure we have all the (paracetamol) in stock. We have had good support for pharmaceuticals from the Issa Trust...