As part of the mitigation efforts to strengthen disaster resilience in vulnerable communities, the Government is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement early warning systems in four parishes. Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the initiative will be undertaken in St. Catherine, St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas. The US$1-million project is...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is encouraging Jamaicans to take greater responsibility in preparing for and mitigating against the effects of natural disasters. “The emphasis cannot be (solely) on the Government... We can only do as much as we can….but we must, as we go into this hurricane season, start the conversation and the conservation must...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been implementing wide-ranging strategies aimed at ensuring Jamaica’s readiness for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. Speaking at the Kingston Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on June 7, ODPEM’s Director General, Major Clive Davis, said the agency has been actively engaged in ongoing disaster preparedness...

Persons living in low-lying areas prone to flooding can be forcibly removed under law, once this threat has been identified, says Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Major Clive Davis. “The law permits me under certain conditions to move anybody or anything... once a threat is identified (or) a threat is imminent. There are certain conditions...

The Government is to construct a transfer station for solid waste in the community of Daniel Town, Trelawny, on Solid Waste Day, June 6. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, while bringing greetings at a Church Service on Sunday, June 3 at the Webster Memorial Church in Kingston to launch Environment Week...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) says that “all critical checks and balances” have been put in place to ensure that the island is in a state-of-readiness for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. The forecast from the Meteorological Office of Jamaica (Met Service) suggests that the season, from June 1 to November 30, will be above average....

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said some $400 million will be spent during the 2018/2019 financial year to construct and upgrade markets across the island. He said that the expenditure is the largest in recent years for the improvement of market infrastructure, noting that the investment will stimulate small-scale economic activity. He said there is...