Sixteen communities and approximately 128 small traditional cannabis farmers will be targeted for support over the next three to four years under the Alternative Development Programme 2.0. The programme aims to eliminate illicit cultivation of cannabis by transitioning farmers into the legally regulated industry. “Participating communities would be allowed to cultivate up to 10 acres of land. Each participating community...

No new taxes will be introduced to finance the Government’s $1 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This was announced by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, as he opened the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 7). He indicated that 2023/24 represents the sixth consecutive fiscal year...

Many contract workers now employed in the public sector will be made permanent employees. Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, made the disclosure as he opened the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 7. He said that the objective is to address the longstanding abuse of fixed-term contracts in Government....

The United Kingdom (UK)-based Kroll Associates will be providing forensic audit investigative services to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) in the entity’s probe of the Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) matter. The development follows the signing of a Statement of Work by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, and representatives of Kroll this morning...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has reported an increase in the number of emergency calls responded to in 2022, when compared to the previous year. “Our overall responses totalled 16,696… an increase of 304 or two per cent,” said Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, during an interview with JIS News. Of the total number of calls received, 7,756 were genuine fire...

When completed, the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) will represent a modern facility that will provide a range of improved and expanded healthcare services for Jamaicans, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. The completed project is expected to deliver a state-of-the-art 430-bed, 387,500sq. ft. reconstructed hospital. Providing an update on the progress of the work at...

Approximately one in every five drivers who use alcohol, operate a vehicle under the influence. This was one of the findings of a study, titled, ‘A Secondary Analysis of Alcohol Use and Driving While Intoxicated in Jamaica’. The study, which won the award for the Most Impactful Oral Presentation at the 13th Annual National Health Research Conference in November 2022...