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KINGSTON — Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker, says the Integrated Customs Automated Services (iCASE), to be introduced shortly, will make the business of importing and exporting easier, and ease the strain on the department. “The truckers would put in their data, the freight forwarders etc… (and) the Custom entries would draw from that information. We wouldn’t have to worry about...

MANDEVILLE — Chairman of the Manchester-based Mount Olivet Boys' Home, Grace Campbell, says the work that the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) has been doing at the home over the past two years is commendable, and has contributed to the transformation of the residents there. “The board does appreciate the JIS coming… they are people, who give of their time to...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Ministry of Education have partnered to produce a Braille format of the popular 88-page popular version of the Jamaica National Development Plan - the 400-page Vision 2030 Jamaica. Approximately 500 copies of the translated Braille format are being produced by the Ministry’s Special Education Unit, for distribution to agencies and organisations that...

Government  is working assiduously to improve the lives of Jamaicans who continue to struggle financially, while it seeks to take care of its most vulnerable citizens, says  Governor-General, His Excellency the Most. Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. He pointed out that the economic recession, downturn in business and loss of jobs have resulted in an increase in the number of people...

As the Government works to restructure the public sector pension scheme, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is assuring pensioners that their entitlements are safe. “Existing pensioners and those public sector workers approaching retirement can be assured that their entitlements will be preserved even as the reforms are introduced,” he said, as he delivered  the Throne Speech...

MANDEVILLE — Broadcasting Commission member, Claude Robinson, wants parents to monitor the electronic media too and ensure proper supervision of what their children are exposed to. Speaking at a forum at the Vesalles Hotel, May Pen, Clarendon, Wednesday April 6, Mr. Robinson said that, while the Commission will enforce regulations to ensure that adult entertainment is not pass on during...

KINGSTON — There will be no further sitting of the Commission of Enquiry into the handling of the extradition request for Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, according to a Spokesperson from the Commission’s Secretariat. After 44 days of testimony, the Enquiry, which was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, was adjourned on Friday, April 1, with a resumption date set...

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,...