Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Government will exercise provisions of the Disaster Risk Management Act, in the interest of public safety. The Act is intended to empower designated personnel, known as Authorised Officers, to take certain action in areas declared vulnerable or disaster zones. Speaking at the recent launch of the Office of...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is looking to promote a culture of earthquake preparedness and response among Jamaicans. “We want to (stir) the nation into action because earthquakes or tsunamis can occur at any time,” said Director General of the agency, Major Clive Davis. “While we have no control…the bottom line is that we must now...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says provisions of the 2018 Building Act will be rigorously enforced. The legislation, which took effect on January 15, seeks to discourage new squatter settlements from being built, promote sustainable development, and establish and enforce internationally accepted building standards and rules for individuals and entities providing construction material and services....

The National Works Agency (NWA) has initiated an internal review into the events of October 23, 2018 and November 12, 2018, which led to the flooding of parts of Marcus Garvey Drive and Mandela Highway. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 8) The flooding...

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, has renewed the call for residents to support firefighters in their quest to lessen the threat posed by fires, by protecting fire hydrants in their communities. Commissioner Beckford made the appeal at a ceremony to officially open the Montego Bay Fireboat Station and hand over two fire units and a fireboat...

National Water Commission (NWC) President, Mark Barnett, says the agency is looking to secure funding to execute several projects geared towards boosting water supplies in the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR), at an estimated cost of US$100 million. Speaking at a press conference at the NWC’s Corporate Office in New Kingston on December 28, Mr. Barnett said the works include replacement...

The capacity of the St. James Fire Department to respond to a fire at sea has been significantly boosted, with the official opening of the Montego Bay Fireboat station and the handover of a fireboat on Friday (December 28). The new fireboat station, which will house 34 firefighters, is the second such station to be constructed in Jamaica and was...