Jamaicans are being urged to familiarise themselves with the layout of their homes in the dark as a crucial step in earthquake preparedness and general safety. This advice was issued by Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ focused on Earthquake Awareness Month, being observed in...

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, says the traffic changes that were implemented in downtown Kingston during the Christmas season will remain in effect. He said that the police have recommended the continuation of the measures, which were put in place to improve the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Mayor Swaby, who was addressing Tuesday’s (January 14) meeting of...

Reports from the Earthquake Unit (EQU) have indicated that 2024 was a year of significant seismic activity. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, on Wednesday (January 15) at the agency’s head office in Kingston, Head and Research Fellow at the EQU, Kevin Tankoo, said that “2024 was another active year” as several earthquakes were recorded. “We would...

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) will be hosting a series of workshops and meetings for event promoters, production teams and venue operators to establish and set clear standards for event staging and execution. Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, said that the workshops and meetings will be held over the coming months. “Additionally, we will host discussions...

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) will be naming a three-member panel to conduct an administrative review of its building approval process. Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, said the Corporation continues to work towards strengthening its building approval process, in keeping with recommendations made by the Integrity Commission. “This panel will consist of individuals who have worked...

The National Education Trust (NET) is reporting that repairs have been completed at 87 schools which were severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Repairs are at an advanced stage, ranging between 70 and 97 per cent, at 17 schools, while work is progressing at seven. An assessment of all institutions determined that 364 schools were...

The Government has delivered more than 14,000 recovery grants to households that were affected during the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3 last year. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during the fifth staging of the National Day of Prayer and the 19th staging of the Heal the Family, Heal the Nation annual...