During the current fiscal year, the Government will be improving five markets across the island at a cost of $75 million. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the facilities slated for upgrades are the Buff Bay Market in Portland; Clarks Town, Trelawny; Black River, St. Elizabeth; Linstead, St. Catherine; and Charles Gordon, St. James. Making...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is imploring operators of funeral homes to raise their standard of service and return the industry to its former state of respectability. He noted that persons often complain of the poor service offered by these establishments, some of which are operating illegally. “This profession needs to return to its core...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says facilities will be built on the grounds of infirmaries to accommodate persons who have been abandoned at hospitals. He noted that the move, which will be undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will free up the bed-space in hospitals and “make room for those patients who need...

A call has been made for parents to involve their children in community service as a means of building their social skills, and volunteerism. Making the call, Social Development Commission (SDC) Community Development Officer of the Year, Alicia Rickard, said more youth are needed to do community work, and parents can influence their involvement. “Get your children involved in community...

The Government is reviewing Regulations accompanying the Disaster Risk Management Act, which was passed in Parliament in 2015. Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the review is being done to strengthen the provisions and making the legislation more effective, particularly in relation to compulsory evacuations from areas deemed vulnerable to severe weather, such as hurricanes and...

The work of the Social Development Commission (SDC) will be boosted by a Government allocation of $50 million. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the money will be used to improve a number of the organisation's facilities and to enhance their community building programme. In an interview with JIS News, he also disclosed that the...

Jamaica’s communication capability before, during and after disasters is being significantly boosted through a J$1.6-billion (¥1.39-billion/US$12.58-million) grant from the Government of Japan. The provision, to be disbursed to the Government of Jamaica over four years, will be used to purchase and procure equipment and other inputs to implement the ‘Improvement of Emergency Communication System Project’. It was facilitated through negotiations...