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Managing Director, Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Colin Campbell (left) is greeted by Managing Director, J.R. Group, Rene Wellington, when he arrived at the location in Kingston on August 21 where the first batch of articulated buses that were sourced for the JUTC this year are being housed. The buses were taken off the wharf on August 20. The JUTC plans to roll out an additional 144 buses by the end of the year. J.R. Group is the local dealer for the buses.

JUTC Improves Service to Commuting Public

In 2013, the Government improved the way Jamaicans commute, by enhancing the operations of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), tidying up the public transportation system, and launching a major road safety campaign. More JUTC Buses The fleet of JUTC...

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Omar Davies (right), listens intently as Executive Director of the Road Maintenance Fund, Clement Watson, explains the micro-surfacing method being used to repair sections of a roadway in St. Elizabeth. The Minster toured sections of Manchester and St. Elizabeth on March 3, to get a first hand view of the surfaces being repaired.

Improvements Made to Road Infrastructure During 2013

Parliament Advances Economic and Social Agenda in 2013

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting (left) and Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area One, Warren Clarke (right) views activities on a street in downtown Montego Bay, from a monitor within the control room of the Montego Bay Closed Circuit Television Surveillance System, on Thursday September 5. The demonstration followed the official handing over of the system by the National Security Minister to the Montego Bay Police. The system was financed by the Ministry of National Security in the sum of $55 million.

Improving Security and Safety a Priority for the Government

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke (centre), views features of the Silver Tilapia freshwater fish, being highlighted by Director of Sunshine Aquaculture Limited, which is spearheading introduction of the species in Jamaica, Mark Wildish (left), during a tour of the Aqua Wilson Fish Farm, in Hill Run, St. Catherine, on August 2. Sunshine Aquaculture is seeking to introduce the species to boost Jamaica’s freshwater fish production. Looking on is Aqua Wilson’s proprietor, Noel Wilson.

More Support for Fisheries Sector in 2013

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St. Elizabeth farmer, Mervis I. Logan (right), shows off samples of her produce to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke (left), following the Integrated Pest Management Farmer Field School graduation ceremony, held on the grounds of the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in Kingston on August 21. Looking on are (from second left): Deputy Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Jeannette Vail and Executive Director, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton.

12 years ago Year in Review 2013

Agricultural Sector Rebounds to Record Growth

The agricultural sector continued to perform well during the year, rebounding from the adverse effects of weather-related and other factors, to record growth for the third quarter of the year. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) reported in November that agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying; and construction, topped the industries recording growth during the July to September quarter...

Minister with responsibility for Sports, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley (centre), shares pleasantries with member of Jamaica’s Men’s Silver medal 4x400 metres relay team, at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Moscow, Russia, Javon Francis (right).

12 years ago Year in Review 2013

Jamaica’s Athletes Reigned Supreme in 2013

The year 2013 was one of outstanding achievement for sports in Jamaica, as the country’s athletes reigned supreme at the World Championship in Athletics held from August 10 to 18 in Moscow, Russia. The team, led by scintillating performances from ace sprinters Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, amassed nine medals and placed third out of 33 competing countries. The...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting (2nd right); and Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding (centre), discuss a model displaying features of the anti-crime mobile application, which is to be rolled out in January 2014. Also participating (from left) are: Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Major General Stewart Saunders; and Police Commissioner, Owen Ellington. Occasion was the launch of a national collaborative crime prevention initiative, ‘United for Change’, at the Police Officers’ Club, on Hope Road, in Kingston, on December 5.

12 years ago Year in Review 2013

Critical Crime Fighting Legislation Passed Last Year

During 2013, considerable focus was given to legislations that are critical in the fight against crime. High on the agenda was the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, which aims to prosecute persons involved in the illegal lottery scam. This law addresses, among other things: obtaining any property or inducing any person to confer any benefit on any person...

Police vehicles.

12 years ago Year in Review 2013

National Security Placed Major Focus on Capacity Building Last Year

The Ministry of National Security placed major focus on capacity building of the security forces last year as part of efforts to stem crime. This involved technology upgrade; the purchase of equipment and machinery; improving mobility through the acquisition of motor vehicles; renovation and refurbishing of facilities; and the training of personnel. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting, pointed out that...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer (centre), discusses an aspect of a report entitled: ‘Violence Against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean’, with Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representative in Jamaica, Margareta Sköld (left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon. Minister Falconer officially launched the report during a ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on March 26.

12 years ago Year in Review 2013

Modern Defamation Law at Last

One of the most impactful occurrences on the local media landscape during 2013 was passage of the amended Defamation Act 2013, in the Houses of Parliament. The Act, which replaces the decades-old slander and libel laws, was passed with bi-partisan support and hailed by media managers across the island, and regional media observers. It has modernised Jamaica’s libel law, which...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell (left), interacts with students from Epping Forest Primary School in South East St. Elizabeth, at the opening of the Potsdam Information and Communication Technology (ICT)centre, which has been established by the Universal Service Fund (USF) at a cost of $2.4 million. The facility, which was opened on November 20, has 13 new computers and other supporting equipment. (FILE)

12 years ago Year in Review 2013

Significant Advances Made in Communications and Energy

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), which focused on its mandate for 2013 - ‘Laying the Foundation for Growth’ - pursued several initiatives in that thrust, under the guidance of the Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell. REDUCTION OF TELEPHONE RATES One of the most significant achievements in the telecommunications sector in 2013 was the reduction of telephone rates,...

Bishop/Overseer of The Power of Faith Ministries International, Dr. Delford Davis (centre), prays for Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (right); and Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, during the 34th annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast held this morning (January 16), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

12 years ago Governor GeneralPrime MinisterVision 2030

Leaders Gather to Pray for Country

Leaders of state, church, corporate and civil society gathered at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday morning, January 16, for the 34th annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast, where they prayed for unity and God’s guidance in stomping out crime and other social ills affecting the country. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Patrick Allen, noted that the theme...