The Government will undertake a comprehensive national survey of squatter settlements to accurately ascertain the extent of squatting in the country. This was disclosed by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, who delivered the Throne Speech at the ceremonial opening of Parliament on Thursday (February 14) for the 2019/2020 Fiscal Year, under the theme ‘In Partnership towards...

The Government will spend $498 million to increase the fleet and capacity of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to be able to adequately respond to emergencies. The sum has been set aside in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Under the Acquisition of Fixed Assets Project, which is being implemented by the JFB, an agency...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is to host public and private consultations soon, on a draft of its electrical and electronic (e-waste) regulations. When signed into the law, the regulations will require traders of computers, printers, televisions, mobile phones and refrigerators to take them back at end-of-life and dispose of them in an environmentally sound manner. Senior Investigator...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is urging Jamaicans to develop a family emergency plan. Such a plan is integral in preparing for disasters such as a hurricane or earthquake. Family members should be assigned specific areas of responsibility during an emergency, such as calling an ambulance or the police, and each person should agree on an...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade’s (JFB) ‘Mek Wi Fix It’ campaign is being expanded to focus on, among other things, bush fire prevention. This is against the background of an increase in the occurrence of bush fires and resulting casualties, according to JFB statistics for 2018. Senior JFB Deputy Superintendent for Fire Prevention and Public Relations Officer, Emeleo Ebanks, cited one...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is committed to the facilitation of gender mainstreaming and values the importance of gender equality in disaster risk reduction. This was stated by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in a message at the January 24 Disaster Risk Management Gender Symposium, read by Senior Director of Corporate Services...

Western Parks and Markets (WPM) Waste Management Limited officially opened the Cambridge garbage holding area, in St. James, on Friday (January 25). Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, in his address, charged residents and businesses in the community to take care of the facility. “I am appealing to the citizens of Cambridge and its environs to use this facility...