Residents of Portmore, St. Catherine, are benefitting from Government’s investment in infrastructural projects, including major expenditure on water supply, roads, and waste facilities. Over $1 billion was spent on developing water systems for the area, while work has commenced on the $2.3 billion Portmore Sewage Project, which will benefit some 200,000 residents of the Municipality. “The (water) project involved the...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is to continue its work to rehabilitate fire hydrants island-wide, within the next few weeks, with the assistance of a $13 million grant from the Japanese Government. This, as the JFB intensifies its hydrant maintenance programme. Currently, only 65 per cent of fire hydrants are working. State Minister for Local Government and Community Development, Hon....

The Government spent $62 million during the 2013/14 financial year to undertake the refurbishing of infirmaries across the island. Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, made the disclosure on Wednesday, June 25, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives. He informed that a new ward...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is to receive an ambulance this financial year to assist with the execution of its pilot Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This was disclosed by State Minister for Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 25. “We are mindful that...

A total of $171.3 million has been budgeted for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to acquire additional vehicles and equipment, and to repair those currently being used, during the current fiscal year. This was disclosed by State Minister for Local Government, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his 2014/15 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on June 25, under the...

All Systems Ready for Hurricane Season The Jamaica Fire Brigade will receive a boost to its fleet during this hurricane season, with the acquisition of three new fire trucks at a cost of $133 million. Deputy Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Errol Mowatt, said the state-of-the-art units have already arrived in the island and are currently awaiting clearance. “We...

State Minister in the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Ian Hayles, says the entire island will be under the control of the Town and Country Planning Act by 2017. The Act makes provisions for the orderly and progressive development of land, cities, towns and other areas, whether in urban or rural Jamaica. Making his contribution to...

Several of the nation’s markets are to be renovated and rehabilitated during this fiscal year, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott. Making his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 17, Mr. Arscott said work has been completed on some of the facilities, while work is in progress on...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has completed an analysis of the proposed tariff on street lights and has submitted its recommendations to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott, while making his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, June 17. He said...