Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott, has commended the island’s parish councils for their “resilience and determination” in fulfilling their mandates in 2012/13, and their performance so far, for the current fiscal year. Making his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 11, Mr. Arscott said that a significant number...

Sections of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Act are to be reviewed and redrafted in order to make the law more effective. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, made the revelation during his presentation in the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate on Tuesday, June 11, in the House of Representatives. He informed that the amendments are...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, says the Ministry surpassed its 2012/13 property tax collection target of $2.8 billion by just over $5 million or 0.17 per cent. Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 11, Mr. Arscott commended all Jamaicans who made the effort...

Jamaica is slated to benefit from the implementation of the Local Economic Development (LED) programme, which seeks to enhance governance at the community level. This is being facilitated under the CAN$28.2 million Caribbean Local Economic Project (CARILED), being executed in CARICOM member states over a six-year period, through funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)-funded. A Memorandum of Understanding...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has established a streetlight hotline, which will enable members of the public to report defective streetlights in their communities. Portfolio Minister, Noel Arscott, made the announcement on Tuesday, June 11, in his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate. The hotline number is 1-888-991-4617 and it becomes operational on July 1. Members of...

Works are to be completed on several bridges across the island under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP),this financial year. This was disclosed by State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 5. “Bridges are a vital element of the nation’s main road...

The operations of seven of the island's Parish Councils have been significantly boosted by the addition of 25 newly recruited municipal police officers to their staff. The group, comprising 17 males and eight females, graduated after completing a six-week municipal police training course at the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Academy at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. They have been assigned to...

Attorney General, Patrick Atkinson, has announced plans to lobby for the ownership of the cruise ship pier in Falmouth to be turned over to the Trelawny Parish Council. In making his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 29, Mr. Atkinson said following this transfer of ownership, a board consisting of “Trelwany’s well-thinking citizens”...

Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, Dr. Dayton Campbell, has recommended that the Government increase the number of teaching hospitals across the island. This, he said, is critical, as the country aims to attain first world health status and provide holistic care for nationals. “Hospitals (that can) be targeted include Spanish Town, Mandeville Regional Hospital, St. Ann’s Bay...