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Operations Director at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Aretha McFarlane, addresses the recent launch of Operation CALM (Cleaning, Advising, Leveraging and Maintaining) at the Hugh Shearer Community Centre in Rocky Point, Clarendon.

NSWMA Urges Proactive Approach to Waste Management

Jamaicans are being urged to take a proactive approach to waste management to mitigate flood risks during the hurricane season. Operations Director at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Aretha McFarlane, made the call, during the recent launch of...

Social Development Commission (SDC) Executive Director, Omar Frith.

July 15 Deadline for First SDC Administrative Grant Call

Chief Executive Officer of the Social Development Commission, Omar Frith (back row, second left), shares a moment with key stakeholders and students at the Hanover Youth Entrepreneurship awards ceremony, at S Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, on Friday (July 3).

Students Generate More Than $850,000 in Sales Through SDC Entrepreneurship Programme

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis

St. Ann’s Bay Mayor Anticipates Economic Boom from Reggae Sumfest

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Charlton McFarlane.

USF to Restore All Wi-Fi Sites Damaged by Hurricane Melissa in Hanover

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses the ceremony for the handover of supplies valued at US$415,000 to support the Ministry

1 week ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Local Government Ministry Receives Donation to Support Hurricane Melissa Recovery

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has received a donation of items valued at US$415,000 to assist ongoing Hurricane Melissa recovery and humanitarian efforts. The donation, from the JN Foundation in partnership with Lutheran World Relief, included disaster relief kits containing quilts, educational materials, baby-care and personal-care items, among other things. The support will be channeled through the...

National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Rohan Stewart, speaks during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS)

1 week ago AgricultureHurricane Relief & Recovery

NIC Systems Prepared for Hurricane Season

The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) has implemented measures to ensure its systems across the island are fully prepared for any potential weather events during the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Rohan Stewart, told a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday (July 1) that the Commission’s strategy includes regular assessments and proactive system upgrades....

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, delivers the keynote address during a ceremony on Tuesday (June 30) at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) headquarters in Kingston, where four water trucks were handed over.

1 week ago Local GovernmentYouth

200 YSEP Workers to Bolster Hurricane Preparedness

Two hundred of this year’s Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) participants will be assigned to work with the island’s Municipal Corporations to assist with preparations for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season and strengthen the country’s disaster-response capacity. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during Tuesday’s (June 30) handover ceremony at the National...

Display booths showcasing a wide range of products and services at the St. Thomas Economic Village, held in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on Friday, June 26. The event brought together micro and small entrepreneurs, community groups and stakeholders to promote local economic development and expand market opportunities.

1 week ago Local Government

SDC Stages Economic Village to Drive Grassroots Business in St. Thomas

Utilising an integrated approach to strengthen community governance, foster commercial activity and create avenues for economic growth were among the key objectives of the Social Development Commission (SDC) staging of the St. Thomas Economic Village on Friday (June 26). The event, which was first held in the parish in 2025, forms part of the SDC's ongoing efforts to support and...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second right), cuts the ribbon on one of four water trucks handed over to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) during a ceremony at the agency’s Headquarters in Kingston on Tuesday (June 30). Looking on (from left) are Reverend Delroy Harris; NSWMA Executive Director, Audley Gordon; NSWMA Deputy Executive Director, Sheenique Johnson; and NSWMA Board Chairman. Omar Sweeney.

1 week ago Local Government

NSWMA Gets Four New Water Trucks

Four new water trucks have been handed over to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to enhance day-to-day operations such as wetting landfills and washing town centres. The trucks will be distributed across the Authority’s four regional branches – MPM Waste Management Limited, WPM Waste Management Limited, SPM Waste Management Limited and NEPM Waste Management Limited. Each truck has...

Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) Managing Director, Omar Sweeney, speaks during a recent Jamaica Information (JIS)

2 weeks ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryJIS Think TankOffice of the Prime Minister

JSIF Undertaking $27-B Post-Hurricane Melissa Recovery Plan

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is undertaking a $27-billion post-Hurricane Melissa recovery programme over the next five to six years, aimed at community redevelopment and rebuilding social capital in affected areas. Managing Director, Omar Sweeney, told a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ that western parishes have experienced significant challenges since the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre), displays a symbolic cheque for $18.7 million in grants distributed under the Community Churches Clean-up and Restoration grant initiative during a ceremony at the Darliston Holiness Church in Westmoreland, on Thursday, June 25. Joining him are (from left) host pastor, Rev. Nadira Burke Sergeon; Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, Dr. Dayton Campbell; Pastor of Beaufort Moravian Church, Rev. Aldwayne Brooks; Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Danree Delancy; Councillor for the Darliston Division Westmoreland, Jerome Bacchas, and Social Development Commission Executive Director, Omar Frith.

2 weeks ago Hurricane Relief & Recovery

Gov’t Grants $18.7M to Restore 102 Westmorland Churches After Hurricane Melissa

One hundred and two churches across Westmoreland have received a combined $18.7 million through the Government’s Community Churches Clean-up and Restoration Grant facility, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, to support recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Pastors and church representatives were presented with their cheques by the Social Development Commission (SDC) during a...