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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), presents a grant cheque to Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme beneficiary, Julia Shaw (second right), during the Trelawny leg of the initiative’s handover ceremony, held at Abundant Life Ministries Church in Bounty Hall on March 11. Looking on are: State Minister, Hon. Donovan Williams, and State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Member of Parliament for Trelawny Northern, Hon. Tova Hamilton.

$366m in Grants for Hurricane-affected Trelawny Families Under ROOFS Programme

Grants totalling more than $366 million are being disbursed to hurricane-affected households in Trelawny under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme, being spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security as part of the national...

Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Collen Gager, speaks during the Trelawny Municipal Corporation’s meeting, held on March 12 at the Artisan Village in Falmouth.

Falmouth Mayor Urges Developers to Comply With Building Standards

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, addresses the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) monthly meeting on Tuesday (March 10).

KSAMC Reviewing Carnival 2026 Routes And Event Applications

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second, left), engages in a discussion with Director General at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle (left); Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley (second, right); and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, Dennis Zulu. The interaction took place during the opening ceremony of the regional after-action review (AAR) workshop on Hurricane Melissa at the S Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday (March 10).

Regional Stakeholders Undertake Review of Response to Hurricane Melissa

Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited Chair, Shirley Carby (fifth left), presents a copy of one of the textbooks donated by the company for primary schools affected by Hurricane Melissa to Principal of Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth, Carlene Williams-Heath. Other participants (from left) are Carlong Publishers’ Chief Executive Officer, Jason Carby, and Director, Carl Carby; Assistant Chief Education Officer, Media Services Unit, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Nadine Simms; National Education Trust (NET) Executive Director, Latoya Harris-Ghartey; and students of Park Mountain Primary. The textbooks were officially presented during a formal handover ceremony on Thursday (March 12), at the Ministry’s Student Assessment Unit, Caenwood Centre, Kingston.

Carlong Publishers Donates $15.6m In Textbooks to Hurricane-Affected Primary Schools

Incorporated Master Builders Association (IMAJ) President, Richard Mullings, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.

1 week ago Local Government

IMAJ Endorses ODPEM’s Hurricane Strap Campaign

The Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) has formally endorsed the ‘Strap Up Jamaica’ hurricane strap campaign, spearheaded by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Under the theme ‘Build Jamaica’s Resilience, One Strap at a Time’, the initiative promotes safer roofing practices and encourages greater disaster preparedness among homeowners, builders, and contractors, with the goal of...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre), shares the lens with Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Group, Frank James (right), and President of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), Keith Wellington, during the handover of a symbolic sponsorship cheque at the official launch of the 2026 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Arena in Kingston, on Wednesday (March 11).

1 week ago Finance & Public ServiceHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoverySportYouth

ISSA/Gracekennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships to Honour Recovery and Renewal

The 2026 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships will honour recovery and renewal, while standing as a symbol of national resilience and proof that Jamaica’s young people remain steadfast, hopeful and driven after hardship. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the declaration while addressing the official launch of “Champs” at the National Arena in Kingston,...

1 week ago Economic Growth & Infrastructure DevelopmentHousingHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

Modular Container Homes for Hurricane Victims Arriving In the Island

Modular container homes, aimed at providing rapid, affordable, and durable housing, have begun arriving on the island, says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Robert Montague. The Minister, who has responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, said the units will address the urgent shelter needs following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. He...

City Engineer, Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Xavier Chevannes, details the proper installation of hurricane straps during a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank.

1 week ago HousingLocal Government

Homeowners, Builders Urged to Use Hurricane Straps Correctly to Strengthen Roofs

Homeowners, builders and developers are being encouraged to adopt proper hurricane strap installation practices to strengthen building resilience and reduce damage during severe weather events. The guidance forms part of key messages being advanced through the ‘Strap Up Jamaica’ campaign, spearheaded by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which aims to promote safer roofing practices and improve...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre, front row), responds to questions on March 6 during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House, where members were reviewing the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure. He is joined by State Minister, Hon. Delroy Williams (left, front row); Permanent Secretary Marsha Henry-Martin (right, front row), and other representatives from the Ministry.

2 weeks ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

11 Per Cent Increase in Operational Fire Hydrants Nationwide

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has reported an 11 per cent increase in the number of operational fire hydrants nationwide as of December 31, 2025. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure on March 6 while responding to questions during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House where...

2 weeks ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryTourism

All Hotels Expected to Fully Reopen by December 2026

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announced on March 6 that all hotels are expected to be fully operational by December 2026, following the devastation caused to the sector by Hurricane Melissa. He noted that while early stakeholder assessments had suggested that only about 80 per cent of rooms would be available, the recovery outlook has since improved. “The energy and...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre, front), responds to questions during a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at Gordon House on March 6. He is joined by Minister of State, Hon. Delroy Williams (left, front); Permanent Secretary, Marsha Henry-Martin (right, front) and other representatives from the Ministry.

2 weeks ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Streetlight Programme to Resume Following Hurricane Disruption

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has assured citizens that the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) will soon resume the installation and repair of streetlights across the island. This follows a disruption in the programme caused by the widespread damage to the island’s power grid during Hurricane Melissa. In his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation, Mr. McKenzie announced...