Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, is urging school administrators to make graduation ceremonies accessible to all students. Noting that they are pivotal events that mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for the youngsters and their families, among others, she said these ceremonies hold great sentimental value to Jamaicans and it is important...

The Government is investing millions of dollars in building out fire stations across the island. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 28), said rehabilitation works are being carried out at the Half-Way Tree Fire Station in St. Andrew at a...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says a US$20-million investment will be made to expand coverage of social protection programmes and enhance their effectiveness. He made the announcement in his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 29). The Minister said that several initiatives will be undertaken through the...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) will be installing a modern, First-World electronic Records Management System this year. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in making the disclosure in his Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 28), said the system, which is being installed for the first time in the history of the...

Usage of the online immigration and customs declaration (C5) form has seen a major uptick, thanks to the promotional efforts of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). In September 2023, it became mandatory for persons returning to the island to complete the previous paper immigration and customs declaration form online. PICA’s Business Development and Communication Director, Kauna McKenzie, told...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will be spending hundreds of millions of dollars to provide indigent houses, construct water shops, and repair and upgrade markets, roads, and public cemeteries across the island. Outlining the various initiatives while making his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 28, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond...

The Government will, this year, employ 10,000 young people under the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP). Making the announcement, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said this year’s intake will be the largest since the programme’s inception in 2017, adding that the 2024 renewal will be formally launched soon. He was making his contribution to the...