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KINGSTON — Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding said that even as the public sector tightened its expenses, it must also be the instrument for growth stimulation. Noting that Government was the biggest business in the country, the Prime Minister said that the country cannot perform well unless its biggest business also performs well.  Mr. Golding was addressing executives of...

A sum of $174 million, which has been added to the 2011/12 budget, should be enough to complete the 2011 Population and Housing Census this month, as targeted. After STATIN's Director-General, Sonia Jackson, explained that the agency had met a July 31 deadline to complete the field work, but needed to do some “mopping up”, census takers were sent out...

KINGSTON — Minister of Housing, Environment and Water, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says progress has been made in the issuing of registered titles to persons, since the passage of the Registration of Titles, Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) Act in 2005. “Of the 3,023 registered titles issued as at August 29, 2011, some 2,987 are for first title...

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,...