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Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (left), in discussion with his Minister of State, Hon. Damion Crawford, at a recent function in Montego Bay. Dr. McNeill said things are looking very positive for the upcoming Winter Tourist season, which runs from December 15, 2014 to April 15, 2015.

Minister Expects Very Good Winter Tourist Season

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says all indicators are pointing to Jamaica having “a very good” 2014/15 Winter Tourist Season, which runs from December 15 to April 15, 2015. In an interview with JIS News, Dr. McNeill...

Leader of the Opposition, The Most Honourable
Portia Simpson Miller, O.N., M.P. — Leader of the Opposition, The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, O.N., M.P.

PM to Make Announcement on NHT Board Following Cabinet Meeting on Monday

Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Ian Boyne is in light conversation with Director of Human Resources, Bernita Locke, during the World Diabetes Day Health Expo held on November 14, at the agency’s head office in Kingston. In the background are persons receiving health checks and other services. The event was held in partnership with Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited .

JIS Becomes Wellness Zone For World Diabetes Day

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right); and Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (left), share a moment with 2014/15 Civil Servant of the Year, Sean Barrow, after he received his award during the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Awards Presentation Ceremony, at King’s House, on Wednesday, November 19. Mr. Barrow is a Senior Customs Officer attached to the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA).

Gregory Park Primary to Benefit from Civil Servant of the Year Project

Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service, Ambassador Douglas Saunders (left), presents Deputy Chief Personnel Officer in charge of Appointments, Public Service Commission, Sonya Jones, with her award, during the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Awards Presentation Ceremony, at King’s House, on Wednesday, November 19.

Long Serving Civil Servants Pleased At Recognition

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott (2nd left); and Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (3rd left), lead the symbolic breaking of ground for the new St. Thomas Parish Council municipal building, to be constructed in Morant Bay at a cost of approximately $200 million. The exercise took place on November 21. Also participating (from left), are: Custos Rotulorum of St. Thomas, Hon. Marcia Bennett; Morant Bay Mayor and St. Thomas Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Ludlow Mathison; Member of Parliament for Western St. Thomas, where the building will be erected, James Robertson; and Chairman of the Council’s Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Constantine Bogle.

11 years ago Local Government

St. Thomas Parish Council To Get New Building

A new building is to be constructed to house the St. Thomas Parish Council at a cost of approximately $250 million. Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott, broke ground for the project on Friday (November 2), on which work is scheduled to start soon. The proposed two-storey structure, to be built on three acres of land adjoining...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott (2nd left), is assisted by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (3rd left), in performing the symbolic ribbon-cutting exercise to formally open the newly constructed male ward at the St. Thomas Infirmary in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on November 21. The ward, which will house the 47 elderly males currently residing at the institution, was built at a cost of $31 million. Also participating in the exercise (from left) are: Morant Bay Mayor and St. Thomas Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Ludlow Mathison; Chairman of the Council’s Poor Relief Committee, Councillor Rohan Bryan; Member of Parliament for Western St, Thomas, where the infirmary is located, James Robertson; and Custos Rotulorum of St. Thomas, Hon. Marcia Bennett.

11 years ago CommunityLocal Government

New Male Ward Opens at St. Thomas Infirmary

The 47 male residents of the St. Thomas Infirmary in Morant Bay, are now enjoying much improved facilities, following construction of a new ward by the Government at a cost of $31 million. Financed by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports, and Education (CHASE) Fund, the ward features double occupancy rooms; bathrooms;...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, addressing a ceremony to officially open the expanded Accident and Emergency Department at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon on Friday (November 21).

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Ebola Surveillance May Cause Airport Delays – Health Minister

As the Government continues its preparations to deal with the possibility of Ebola in Jamaica, the Ministry of Health is advising that persons leaving and entering the island during the Christmas period may encounter some delays due to surveillance procedures at the airports. “I want Jamaicans to understand that they may have to endure some inconveniences as we put protocols...

Head of the Meteorological Service, Jeffery Spooner.

11 years ago Environment

Remain Vigilant in Conserving Water – Met Service

Head of the Meteorological Service, Jeffery Spooner, is encouraging Jamaicans to remain vigilant in their use of water as the island continues to experience below normal rainfall. His call comes on the heels of an appeal from Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, for persons to continue to conserve water. Mr. Spooner said there should...

Spanish Ambassador and Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) President, His Excellency Anibal Abascal Jimenez (centre); presents a scholarship cheque for $1 million to Chairman of the Modern Languages Board of Studies, Teachers Colleges of Jamaica, Aracelis Anedu (2nd right), during a ceremony on Thursday (November 20), at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Granville, St. James. Twenty student teachers pursuing Spanish courses at Sam Sharpe, Church and Shortwood teachers colleges, will benefit from the award. Others (from left) are: Principal of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Dr. Ashburn Pinnock; Language Lecturer at the college, Malbis Aranda; and SJF Project Manager, Vanessa Meggoe.

11 years ago Education

Student Teachers Receive Spanish Scholarships

Twenty students from three teachers colleges, who are pursuing diploma and degree courses in Spanish, have been awarded scholarships totaling $1 million by the Spanish-Jamaica Foundation (SJF). The sophomore and junior students, who were selected from the Sam Sharpe, Church and Shortwood teachers’ colleges, received their bursaries at a presentation ceremony held on November 20, at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College...

Custos of Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller (right), and Inspector of the Poor for Kingston and St. Andrew, Elaine Walker, listen keenly to a point being made by Town Clerk, Robert Hill, during the official launch of the Friends of the Marie Atkins Night Shelter Benevolent Society on November 21, on the grounds of the downtown Kingston-based facility.

11 years ago CommunityLocal Government

Jamaicans Urged to Help the Homeless

Custos of Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller, is appealing to Jamaicans not to turn a blind eye to those in need, but to extend a helping hand to the most vulnerable, particularly the homeless. “No longer can we ignore the indignity suffered by our people on the streets or just pass them off as ‘mad people’. These people are our brothers...

Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Director General, Colin Bullock (right), addressing journalists at the agency’s quarterly media briefing, at its New Kingston head office on Wednesday (August 20). Listening keenly is Director for the PIOJ’s Economic Planning, Research, and Policy Logistics Division, James Stewart.

11 years ago Finance & Public Service

0.5 to 1.5 Per Cent Growth for December Quarter

The short term prospects for the economy are positive, with projected growth within the range of 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent for the October to December 2014 quarter. Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Collin Bullock, said the economy is expected to recover from the drought conditions, which resulted in a 0.8 per cent contraction...