The House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 7) passed the Building Bill, which seeks to establish a modern legislative framework that will serve to reduce the vulnerability of Jamaica’s built environment and ensure public safety. The legislation, which was passed with 24 amendments, was piloted by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. The Bill provides for...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the pre-feasibility study on the divestment of the commercial activities of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is now complete. The study was conducted by the Riverton Disposal Site Enterprise Team, which was commissioned by the Prime Minister in October last year. It explored options for public-private partnerships (PPPs), as well...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to using tax payers’ dollars wisely and efficiently as it continues to provide key resources for the public. “We are using your tax dollars not just to bush the roads, not just to clear the curbs, channels and gullies, but we are also making capital investments in equipment...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade is reporting success in its campaign to raise public awareness on fire safety across the island as the agency observes Fire Safety Awareness Week from October 22 to 28. Assistant Superintendent of the Kingston and St Andrew Fire Prevention Division, Nicholas Ogilvie, told JIS News that this change has come about after years of hard public-education...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is recruiting volunteers for its recently established National Disaster Risk Management Programme. Under the programme, community volunteers will be trained in various emergency techniques to act as first responders in the event of a disaster. The areas of training include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, search and rescue as well as...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is urging Municipal Corporations to maximize the revenue generating potential from the requisite payment of fees by businesses and residents for services the councils administer, in keeping with the beneficiaries’ statutory obligations. Among the categories of revenues, which he said are at the Corporations’ disposal, are: property taxes, trade license and...

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the Ministry plans to conduct an audit of community standpipes islandwide that are managed by municipal corporations, as part of measures to reduce the cost to deliver domestic water to residents through these outlets. He said the exercise, which the Ministry will be seeking to carry out in tandem with...