Some 3,000 residents are to benefit from the rehabilitation of approximately two kilometres of roadway from Richmond Vale to Richmond Gap in St. Thomas. Work on the road is expected to commence this month and end in December 2013. A contract between community sponsors and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) was signed on July 3, at the Richmond Gap...

A rural farming community is to benefit from a project that will aid in strengthening its resilience to the impact of weather-related issues. The project, which is to be rolled out in July, follows the successful completion of a pilot of a micro insurance facility, aimed at small farmers in Portland and St. Thomas. The pilot was facilitated by the...

The city of Hagen in Germany will be partnering with the municipality of Portmore in St. Catherine, to formulate and implement climate change projects at the local Government level. Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (June 26), Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill,...

Fire fighters in some rural parishes will soon enjoy improved working conditions, as the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development moves to refurbish a number of fire stations. This was disclosed by State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 25. “Our fire fighters...

The Government is moving ahead with plans to establish town centres across the island, and has selected St. Catherine as the pilot parish for such developments. Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, informed that the towns of Linstead and Old Harbour will serve as the two urban centres. Making his contribution...

Teachers in Eastern St. Thomas, who wish to upgrade their skills, can benefit from grants and scholarships being offered by the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Making the announcement in his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, June 25, Dr. Ferguson said the grants for...

Mr Speaker, against the background of the earlier presentation made by senior Minister the Honourable Noel Arscott, allow me to enhance the demonstration of the Ministry’s effort to develop communities by involving everybody, through community empowerment and social interventions, in the business of local governance. To achieve the desired result; to facilitate the development of settlements and communities that can...

Plans are underway to transform the Bath community in St. Thomas into a ‘Wellness Zone’, incorporating its botanical gardens and mineral spring. This was announced by Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, June 25. “The development of the Sports and Fitness Park at the...

Contracts have been awarded for four major rural water supply upgrading projects, which are part of the 26 projects which the Government announced last year. The contracts have been awarded for: Cascade/Claremont/Jericho in Eastern Hanover, where work has already begun; Nonpariel/Orange Hill in Western Westmoreland; Mason River in Northern Clarendon, and Burnt Savannah/Knoxwood in South West St. Elizabeth. The projects...