Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie has announced the launch of a special assistance fund for the Republic of Haiti. “The people of Haiti are continuing to experience a torrid time as the forces of nature have been unleashed on the country, first, with the recent, massive earthquake and now, the heavy rains associated with Tropical...

When one hears the name ‘Jamaica Fire Brigade’ (JFB), the first thought is of firefighters putting out blazes, but the entity is reminding the public that it also responds to non-fire related incidents including medical emergencies and rescue. JFB’s Public Relations Officer, Emeleo Ebanks, told JIS News that the brigade offers ambulance services for medical and trauma cases. “For January...

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says that no permits have been approved for the staging of entertainment events. “The Municipal Corporations and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) cut off accepting and considering applications from the 9th of this month,” he indicated. “So, there is no approval for any event of any...

For the year 2020, building/planning applications received by municipal corporations were valued at an estimated $204.7 billion. The estimated value of applications approved was $145.2 billion, while those that were still being processed at the close of the year are valued at approximately $105.2 billion. The information is contained in the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) 2020 Economic and Social...

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is encouraging eligible participants in the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) to get vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19) and encourage others to do the same. “I want to challenge you because I know at least 90 per cent of you are over 18 [years old]. You are now eligible to...

The Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) offered by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will positively impact the lives of 6,000 youth across the island. This statement comes from portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who was speaking at the launch of the programme recently, at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland. “This year I...

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (seated, right), applauds young people who stood to indicate their interest in the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) at the launch of the programme on July 30 at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland. YSEP will run from August 9 to September 3 and will employ...