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KINGSTON — Some 6,000 children under five years old, from impoverished rural communities, are to be provided with free birth certificates through several registration fairs across the island. This birth certification initiative, which is to begin this month and continue into October,  results from a partnership between the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Registrar General's Department (RGD), with...

KINGSTON — Minister of State for Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, has commended members of the National Council Senior Citizens (NCSC) for enhancing the lives and welfare of the nation's elderly. He also praised the volunteers, who have been assisting the Council by lending support to its projects. Speaking at a special luncheon hosted by the Ministry and...

KINGSTON — Cabinet has approved the adoption of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica's (ECJ) report to Parliament on Political Party Registration and Financing, and has issued drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (CPC). This will ensure changes to the Representation of the People's Act (ROPA) to include the ECJ's provisions. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects,...

KINGSTON — Cabinet has approved the recommendation for an increase the upper limit of the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) for the procurement of Government-owned motor vehicles for approved public officials to US$35,000, up from US$29,000. This is in keeping with the limit applicable under the 20 per cent duty concession category, said Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and...

KINGSTON — Interventions by the Office of the Utilities Regulation (OUR) has resulted in over $6 million being secured for utility users for 2010, the agency’s Director of Consumer and Public Affairs, Michael Bryce, said Wednesday August 31. Speaking at a press briefing at the OUR in New Kingston, Mr. Bryce said the $6.3 million was secured primarily through debit...

KINGSTON — The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has announced that a former Director General, J. Paul Morgan, will lead the investigations into the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited's (JPS) billing practices. The seven-member team will also examine the recent meter changes by the JPS, as well as conduct meter inspections and audits. The investigations commenced a week ago and...

KINGSTON — Efforts are being made to fast track amendments to the Telecommunications Act so as to enable the Office of Utilities and Regulations to discharge its obligations more effectively. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday August 30 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, when he...

TORONTO — There are events and experiences that are forever etched in the mind of Jamaican-born journalist Ewart Walters. Among them is the day of August 17, 1951, when Hurricane Charlie swept across the island, leaving in its wake, utter devastation, with hundreds dead, and thousands of others injured and homeless. Then, there is his experience at Calabar High School...

The goal of achieving greater dialogue and consensus around national issues and challenges will take an important step forward on September 20 when leaders across sectors sign the code of conduct that will provide momentum for the Partnership for Transformation (PFT) process. The move comes after three years of monthly meetings at Jamaica House, involving leaders from government, private sector,...

KINGSTON — Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, says that the Government has approved the acquisition of Claro by fellow telecommunication company, Digicel. The Prime Minister made the disclosure in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday August 30, which has been temporarily located at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Downtown Kingston, while improvement to the roof of Gordon...

KINGSTON — Supplementary Estimates tabled by Minister of Finance, Hon Audley Shaw, in the House of Representatives today, showed a $2 billion increase in the 2011/12 budget he presented in April. The Estimates revealed a $4.4 billion increase in recurrent (housekeeping) spending, mainly due to the agreement on the payment of the seven percent wage increase to public sector workers,...

KINGSTON — The Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, has expressed his condolences to the Government and people of The Bahamas, where Hurricane Irene destroyed over 100 homes and brought flooding and power cuts to several areas on Wednesday August 24. “The Government and people of Jamaica, express condolences to the people of the Bahamas, who have lost homes as a...