The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has developed a National Tsunami Response Plan and Standing Order Procedure for Jamaica. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who indicated that the plan is awaiting the National Disaster Risk Management Council’s approval. “This vital aspect of our disaster risk reduction programme was...

Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is urging cooperation among countries in the region to develop solutions for disaster risk reduction (DRR). He said that such solutions are imperative, particularly for small island developing states (SIDS) that are most vulnerable and which, on average, incur damage equivalent to 2.1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) every...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Homer Davis, says the Government continues to place high priority on safeguarding the environment while facilitating economic growth and development. He noted that the establishment of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation is in keeping with the Administration’s focus on driving economic growth and sustainable...

Chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation and Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Colin Gager, says Duanvale, home of late supercentenarian, Violet Mosse Brown, has the potential to become a major heritage site and tourist attraction. Mrs. Mosse Brown, affectionally called “Aunt V”, became the world’s oldest human on April 15, 2017, and officially claimed the titles of the world's 'Oldest Living...

The Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) is reporting greater compliance with building requirements coming out of its seven-month amnesty, introduced in November 2019, to counter illegal construction activities. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer of the HMC, David Gardner, said that the amnesty, which ran until June 2020, was necessary to address the increasing number of illegal...

The Trelawny Municipal Corporation is taking steps to commence construction of the base for the statue of the country’s Sprint Legend, Usain Bolt, to be mounted in Water Square, Falmouth. This has been made possible after receiving approval from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), for the redesign of the historic fountain. Chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, and Mayor...

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has said that the government is engaging construction industry stakeholders regarding the development of more energy-efficient buildings that would serve to reduce Jamaica’s fuel bill. Noting that the matter was “under consideration”, Mr. McKenzie said it required the engagement of the wider industry and advised that, “those discussions have commenced”....

An authorised system was launched today (November 1) to facilitate fully vaccinated persons going online to purchase tickets to attend the Jamaica World Cup qualifying game against the United States at the National Stadium, in Kingston, on November 16. The Government has given approval for 5,000 fully vaccinated spectators to attend the game. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development,...

The issue of unchecked horseback riding in Mammee Bay, St. Ann, has been addressed. The St. Ann Municipal Corporation and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) have now taken a proactive approach “in the interest of motorists” and all those who have been affected by “having horses roaming recklessly” on the main road and endangering lives, stakeholders say. Mayor of...