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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

The Government intensified its efforts throughout the past year, to make the country safer, so that citizens can carry out their day-to-day activities in comfort and security. This was in keeping with the administration’s strategic priorities for 2013/14 and beyond,...

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

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.

Agricultural Sector Rebounds to Record Growth

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).

Jamaica’s Athletes Reigned Supreme in 2013

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.

Critical Crime Fighting Legislation Passed Last Year

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...

12 years ago Culture

All in Place for Jazz and Blues Festival

Organisers of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival say that all is in place for the staging of the three-day show. A key event on the Jamaica’s annual music calendar, the festival is slated to take place from January 30 to February 1 at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, which has become the show’s home venue. With several major local and...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, is invited to play on the drum by a student of the Genesis Academy, who was entertaining guests at the launch of Digicel Foundation’s 10th anniversary on January 15, on the grounds of the Stella Maris Foundation in St. Andrew. Enjoying the moment are Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell (left); Digicel’s Regional Chief Executive Officer, Andy Thorburn (second left); and Chair, Digicel Foundation, Lisa Lewis (right).

12 years ago Office of the Prime MinisterPrime Minister

PATH Budget Increases to $5 Billion for 2014/15

Government is to increase the budgetary allocation under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) to $5 billion in the upcoming financial year. This is an increase of some $900 million over the current financial year. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, made the disclosure while delivering the keynote address at Digicel Foundation’s 10th anniversary launch,...

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (right), greets Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture for Grenada, Hon.
Alexandra Otway-Noel (second left), during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2014, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, from January 12 to 14. Looking on (from left) are: Director of Marketing, Grenada Board of Tourism, Sheldon Keens-Douglas and Head of Marketing, Grenada, Christine Noel-Horsford.

12 years ago Tourism

Caribbean Travel Marketplace Described As Huge Success

Former President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Sir Royston Hopkin, has hailed the just concluded Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2014, as a “huge success” and a “win win” for all participants. Sir Hopkin, who is Managing Director of the Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, told JIS News that ever since the inception of the event many years...