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Golf Instructor with the CSJP/SANTA Golf Mentorship programme, David Reid (right), assists Jahnick Semaj (left), a participant in the programme, with his golfing technique at the Constant Spring Golf Club, in Kingston.

CSJP Partners With Golf Club to Mentor At-Risk Youth

The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), in partnership with the charity arm of the Constant Spring Golf Club, called Seeing A Need, Taking Action (SANTA), is imparting potent life lessons to over 20 at-risk youth aged 10 to 27,...

Project Director, Strategic Public Sector Transformation Project, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Dunstan Bryan (standing), shows Acting Financial Secretary, Everton McFarlane (second left), where to sign the document for implementation of the US$388,967 Medium Term Results Based Budgeting (MTRBB) pilot programme. The signing ceremony was held on Friday (August 14) at the Finance Ministry in Kingston. Others (from left) are: Deputy Financial Secretary, Public Expenditure Division, Lorris Jarrett; Director, Deloitte Overseas Consulting LLP, Michael Vlaisavljevich; and Department for International Development (DFID) Representative in Jamaica, Bhavna Sharma.

Gov’t Pursues Results-Based Budgeting

Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Central Kingston, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (2nd right), shakes hands with Chairman of Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) Foundation, Bishop Robert Thompson (2nd left), during the handing over of a cheque valued at $150,000 to Vice President of the Allman/Woodford Football Club, Errol Howlett (right). The presentation was made on August 14, at the SSL’s Hope Road office. General Manager of SSL, Lamar Harris (left), shares the moment.

Sports Excellent Outlet for Young People – Rev. Thwaites

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (left), and Member of Parliament for North Clarendon, Hon. Horace Dalley, break ground for construction a $35.7 million water storage facility at Mason River in the parish on Friday (August 15). The undertaking is part of a $202.2 million upgrading of the Mason River Water Supply System.

Ground Broken for 100,000-Gallon Water Tank at Mason River

Fortress Investment Group founder and Co-chairman, Wes Edens (left) calls on Energy Minister, Phillip Paulwell at the Ministry’s New Kingston Offices following the recent deal to supply LNG to fuel electricity generation at the JPS Bogue power plant. "Our vision extends far beyond Bogue. This will be the catalyst to establish Jamaica as an energy hub for the Caribbean and Latin America… my company intends to invest significantly in energy, port and logistics infrastructure in Jamaica,” he assured the Minister.

Energy Minister Hails JPS LNG Deal

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting (on dais), observes as new police recruits go through their paces, at the passing out parade and award ceremony at the National Police College of Jamaica in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine on August 14. He is flanked by Police Commissioner, Dr. Carl Williams (left); and Deputy Commissioner, Delworth Heath.

11 years ago National Security and Peace

244 Police Recruits Graduate

The manpower of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been boosted with the graduation of 244 new recruits from the National Police College in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine on Friday (August 14). The graduates, comprising 198 males and 46 females, completed seven months of rigorous training, which included law and police procedures, baton and firearm expertise, and practical policing psychology...

President of the Senate, Senator Floyd Morris (left), presents the Montego Co-operative Credit Union’s (MCCU) Bayley-Hay Award of Excellence to Sasha-Kay Campbell at the awards presentation luncheon held at Day’O Plantation Restaurant in Montego Bay on Thursday (August 13).

11 years ago Community

Senator Morris Hails Credit Union Movement

President of the Senate, Senator Floyd Morris, is hailing the credit union movement for helping to improve the lives of Jamaicans, particularly persons from humble economic circumstances. Senator Morris said he maintains membership at two credit unions because he has seen the positive impact the movement has had in helping members to realise their goals. “I examine the matter carefully...

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, speaking at the official handing over of a drip irrigation system at food safety facility at the Braco Farms in Trelawny on Thursday (August 13).

11 years ago AgricultureTourism

More Than 800 Jamaican Employed Under REDI Project

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, says over 800 Jamaicans have been employed under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project. The World Bank-funded project, implemented in 2010, focuses on income generating interventions in the areas of agriculture and tourism, supported by the various linkages for marketing. “Today, under the REDI programme, we have supported...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (4th right), inspects drip irrigation pipes on the Braco Farms in Trelawny, during a tour on August 13. The irrigation system is part of a $11.7 million project funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which includes establishment of a food safety facility on the farm. Others looking on are Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney (3rd left); State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Luther Buchanan (2nd right); and Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, Hon. Patrick Atkinson.

11 years ago Agriculture

Braco Farmers Get Drip Irrigation System

Eighteen small farmers, who cultivate fruits and vegetables on the Braco Farms in Trelawny, are benefitting from the installation of a drip irrigation system. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) provided funding for the $11.7 million project, which included the establishment of a food safety facility, where the farmers can package and store their produce, which includes watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet...

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, says the recent PetroCaribe debt buy-back transaction was a significant move by the Jamaican government. He was speaking with journalists at the EPOC’s monthly press briefing on August 13, in Kingston.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

US$2 Billion Raised By Government Will Result In Significant Benefits – EPOC Co-Chair

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, says the recent move by the Government in raising US$2 billion of bonds on the international financial markets, will have significant benefits for the country, its debt stock and financial position going forward. The funds were raised on July 23, 2015 in two tranches of US$650 million over 30 years,...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips (centre), makes a point to President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), William Mahfood (left), while Chairman of the Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), Michael McMorris, looks on. Occasion was VMBS’ inaugural economic forum held on August 12, at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

BPO Sector Can Transform Employment Landscape – Dr. Phillips

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Philips said the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) represents a fundamental opportunity to transform the country’s employment landscape over a relatively short time period. He noted that the industry has been on a steady growth path, and the Government has developed a five-year strategic plan for the sector, which will see thousands...

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (third left), affixes her signature to the new Heads of Agreement, which was signed between the Government and representatives of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on August 11. Also signing (from left) are: Vice President, Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Helene Davis Whyte; Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips; and President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, O’neil Grant. Pictured in the background (from left) are: Manager, Public Relations, Special Projects and Community Outreach, OPM, Shelly-Ann Harris; and Finance and Planning Ministry officials - Director, Industrial Relations, Lorna A. Phillips; Acting Financial Secretary, Everton McFarlane; Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Charmaine Hayman; and Deputy Financial Secretary, Wayne Jones. The new wage agreement, which is for the contract period 2015 to 2017, will see public sector employees receiving a salary increase of seven per cent over two years.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

Improved Benefits for Public Sector Workers

Civil Servants are to receive several improved benefits under the new wage agreement for the 2015 to 2017 contract period. This is in addition to the fixed figure increase of $48,000 to annual salaries across the public service, which will see each worker getting $4,000 per month. The Supper/Meal allowance has moved from $550 per occasion to $700 per occasion,...