Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has intensified garbage collection efforts to address backlogs affecting several communities islandwide. “The Solid Waste Authority, over the last week and a half, has been working extensively, especially over the last couple of days. We have been doing extra hours in some...

The St. James Municipal Corporation has activated its emergency response protocols to safeguard residents as the parish prepares for the potential impact of adverse weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Melissa. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that routine preparedness measures have been completed and all key agencies, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Jamaica Defence...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has fully activated its disaster readiness protocols, including the preparation and strategic pre-positioning of relief supplies, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to begin impacting Jamaica on Thursday. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the announcement during a special press briefing on preparations for the storm, at the Office...

A brand new, fully furnished home was officially handed over to St. Mary resident, Ronald Reddie, marking the fifth unit completed in the parish under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Indigent Housing Programme. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, presented the keys to Mr. Reddie, affectionately called “Psychie”, during a handover ceremony held on Thursday, October 16, at...

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, says all systems and personnel are fully activated as Tropical Storm Melissa nears the island. He said that the agency has been monitoring the system since last Thursday, (October 16). “To date, we have carried out a number of activities in terms of our general preparation....

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in St. Elizabeth is fully operational and prepared to respond to Tropical Storm Melissa, which could pose a threat to Jamaica within the next 48 hours. Following an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday, October 21, Acting Parish Disaster Coordinator at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Rasha Lloyd, told JIS News that all supporting agencies have...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, says the Government has a strong disaster management template in place as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica. “The Government really did significant work before, during and after Hurricane Beryl [last year] to ensure that the country was able to recover stronger,”...