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KINGSTON — Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles is appealing to all persons earning an income to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), in order to be able to support themselves after retirement. Mr. Charles, who was addressing the NIS’ 45th anniversary customer appreciation function at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle division, today April 4, pointed out...

Director General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Sonia Jackson, says the agency is  ready to undertake the 2011 Population and Housing Census (Census 2011), slated to officially get underway on Tuesday, April 5. Ms. Jackson tells JIS News that virtually all of the requisite activities necessary to carry out the data collection exercise have been completed. “It’s all...

KINGSTON — Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon Daryl Vaz, is consulting with the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) on the proposed merger of telecommunications firms, Digicel and Claro. Mr. Vaz told Wednesday's March 30 Post Cabinet press briefing, that the utilities and consumer watchdog agencies will be seeking to...

KINGSTON – It is estimated that a total of $33 million has been spent to cover the cost of the Manatt/Coke Commission of Enquiry, which is being held at the Jamaica Conference Centre. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, as he answered questions raised by Opposition Member of Parliament for Central Kingston, Ronald Thwaites, on Tuesday...

Priority Areas to Receive Urgent Attention PORT ANTONIO – Infrastructural damage in Western Portland resulting from the passage of Tropical Storm Nicole, were examined by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications, and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz and officers of the National Works Agency, during a tour of that constituency on Wednesday, March 23. Among the areas toured, were Hollywell,...

KINGSTON – Denbigh High School in Clarendon came alive on its Career Day on March 24, with students  busily  visiting different booths, asking questions, collecting information and filling out forms. Organised by the Guidance Counselling  Department, the event was held under the theme: ‘Lifelong Learning: The Way Forward in the Global Market’. According to Guidance Counsellor,  Hortence Rose-Palmer, some of...

Some 25 representatives from over 10 private and public sector agencies and organisations islandwide, are currently participating in a two-day business continuity planning workshop, at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston. Jointly organised by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the workshop, which commenced yesterday March 23, aims to help improve...

KINGSTON – Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz has welcomed the positive feedback from  media houses islandwide, on the new format for Government radio broadcasts. Speaking to JIS News, Minister Vaz said he was happy that about 80 per cent of the media houses are carrying Government programmes in the new format. “This is...

KINGSTON – The Commission of Enquiry into the extradition of Christopher "Dudus" Coke heard its first "off camera" testimony Monday morning March 21, when the television crew was barred from filming civil servant, Verna McGaw. Mrs. McGaw, a former Executive Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, is said to reside in a volatile area...

KINGSTON – Seventy two retirees of Tax Administration were honoured for their exemplary years of service, at a retirement awards function, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston, on March 18. The 72 persons were acknowledged for their service to the various departments within Tax Administration, which spanned from 12 to 42 years. Director General of Tax Administration, Viralee...

KINGSTON – Just a year after the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) embarked on a new approach to its radio programmes, the format is being lauded by a number of media managers for its effectiveness and suitability for the 21st Century radio listener. The new approach, which became effective on March 1, 2010,involves the production of five minute news and features,...

PORT ANTONIO – The importance of public support for the Broadcasting Commission's efforts to closely monitor programming in the electronic media has been underscored by the Commission's Assistant Executive Director, Karlene Salmon-Johnson. Addressing Broadcasting Commission-sponsored stakeholders' meetings at the Anglican Church, Portland and the Civic Centre, Port Maria, St. Mary on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 15 and 16, respectively, Mrs....