The National Works Agency (NWA) has given its assurance that it is prepared to mitigate against the impending effects of Tropical Storm Ian. During a special committee meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Council on Friday (September 23), Senior Director, Project Implementation, at the NWA, Varden Downer, said that the entity is preparing its emergency operation centre and has...

Jamaicans are being encouraged to enrol for courses offered under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.  ITEC is a bilateral collaboration between the Governments of India and Jamaica. The programme offers training in professional fields for persons in the public and private sectors as well as university students.   The short-term courses, which are available in India and online,...

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The Senate on Friday (September 23) passed the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act with 17 amendments. The legislation establishes a dual regime, distinguishing between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms and activities connected thereto, and firearms that are duly authorised or registered. The Bill also outlines the objectives that speak to establishing a framework that prohibits firearms and ammunition...

The Government and its agencies are prepared for any impact from the Tropical Depression, which is forecast to affect the island by mid-day on Saturday, September 24. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) began operating on a 24-hour basis effective Friday (September 23), and...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is imploring fisherfolk to evacuate the cays and banks as the island is under a Tropical Storm Watch. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), says that a tropical depression continues to strengthen over the central Caribbean Sea, and is expected to cause showers and gusty winds by mid-day on Saturday, September 24....

With the country now under a tropical storm watch, Jamaicans are being advised to guard against misinformation and to only follow the emergency instructions from the relevant authority. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that “the only authentic authority that can give instructions is the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which has...