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The country could soon see the entrenchment of local government in the Jamaican Constitution far advanced, as the Government focuses on passing key pieces of legislation in Parliament. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, made the announcement as he addressed residents at a Social Development Commission Parish Forum at the St. Mary High School on Thursday,...

Public Awareness Campaign Being Strengthened The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is among several agencies and departments, which are now intensifying the streamlining of their operations, to ensure greater levels of efficiency, as part of the Government's overall thrust to increase fiscal prudence. Head of the fire service, Commissioner Laurie Williams says the department is adjusting its 2013/2014 operations to this...

Residents of Port Maria and surrounding areas in St. Mary are to benefit from the construction of a new market in the town, valued at approximately $40 million. Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Portia Simpson Miller announced on Thursday night, February 21 that the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), has allocated $30 million towards the construction cost. The Prime Minister...

The National Water Commission (NWC) is to construct and replace four kilometres of pipeline from the Harbour View Roundabout to the Airport roundabout at a cost of US$2.33 million. This was disclosed by Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, during Tuesday’s, February 19, sitting of the House of Representatives. He noted that the works are...

The St. Catherine Parish Council has begun a drive to build safer communities and enhance public order across the parish. The Council has officially launched the Parish Safety and Security Committee, which will spearhead a campaign to increase the citizens’ participation in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of actions to improve their safety and security. Speaking at the launch,...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is to collaborate with parish councils in its public education effort of encouraging persons to dispose of their garbage appropriately. Regional Operations Manager for the NSWMA, Eifert Daley, said a great deal of time is spent by the agency to clean the streets of waste thrown by persons who refuse to utilize the...

Mayor of Kingston, Senator Angela Brown Burke, has again called on persons to seek approval from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), before erecting signs in the Municipality. “We are appealing to all persons to just check (with us) before you erect a sign and make sure that you get the requisite approval. Our compliance team will be hitting...

The Westmoreland Parish Council has been trucking water to many areas that have been affected by the severe drought, Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator for the parish, Rev. Hilma Tate, told JIS News. “The Council has been ensuring that communities hardest hit by the drought are getting some water as often as is possible, and right now requests for additional funds have...

Construction of some 88 houses, earmarked for development in Springfield, Clarendon under the European Union (EU)-funded Sugar Barracks Relocation Project, is set to start shortly. A contract for the development, valued at just over $160 million, was signed on Wednesday, February 6, during a ceremony at the project site. Approximately 209 sugar workers residing in that community and its environs,...

From major earthquakes to hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and widespread flooding, the Caribbean region has experienced it all, sometimes with horrific consequences. Oftentimes, vital communication systems, such as landline telephones and cellular phones fail, as they too become susceptible to the catastrophic events, leaving vulnerable citizens stranded. The need for supplemental or back-up communication systems, therefore becomes vital. Director General of...

Some 9,000 residents of 15 communities in Eastern Hanover are soon to benefit from more reliable supply of potable water. The Government of Jamaica, through the National Water Commission (NWC), is undertaking a $225 million project for the construction of the Cascade/Claremont/Jericho supply system, which will ensure ample supply to residents of the hilly districts, which are currently served by...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will be embarking on an anti-litter programme soon, which will include prosecution of those who continue to flout the litter laws. “We are currently reviewing the anti-litter fines and will be moving actively to prosecute those among us, who continue to discard waste in a wanton and careless manner on the streets,...