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Consultant to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Dr. Barbara Carby, is of the opinion that Jamaicans must be constantly bombarded with the message of disaster mitigation and prevention, even if there is no threat of disaster. "Disaster risk reduction is a bit like preaching the gospel; every time is good. You really want to keep disaster...

Portland was one of the parishes worst affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav in August 2008, with the residents of Black Rock, Comfort Castle, Fairy Hill, Forte, Grange Hill, Happy Grove, Hectors River, Islington, Kensington, Long Road, Manchioniel and Windsor Forrest and others counting their losses after the storm had departed. But help was on the way. Some...

The Government will be placing more focus on growing the economy through production and export, said Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw. This measure is in addition to prudent management of recurrent expenditure through increased efficiency in debt management, such as reducing interest costs. Minister Shaw, who was speaking in the House of Representatives last night...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding has again affirmed his Government's commitment to divest the State of its shares in commercial ventures, but noted that the approach will be strategic. He was speaking to an early morning sitting of the House of Representatives on September 30, following the passing of the Supplementary Estimates by the Standing Finance Committee. "We are...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, says the effects of the economic downturn have only made Jamaica's persistent fiscal problems worse. "Our fiscal problems, made worse by the current crisis, are merely the symptom of deeper, more fundamental problems that have long bedeviled us," the Prime Minister said. Mr. Golding explained that the country has suffered chronic indebtedness, so that...

The Forestry Department will be observing National Tree Planting Day on Friday (Oct. 2) under the theme: 'Invest in Forest, Invest in Life'. Forestry Education Officer, Maxine Hinds-Dixon is encouraging persons from across Jamaica to participate in the day's activities by planting a tree. She also informed that seedlings, except for Christmas trees, will be made available free of cost,...

Protecting Jamaica's coastline from a possible one metre rise in the sea level, could cost some US$426 million, or approximately 9% of Jamaica's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This was disclosed by Director of the Coastal Zone Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Anthony McKenzie, at a Lunch and Learn Panel Discussion on Thursday (September 25) at...

The Government is in the process of amending the Post Office Act of 1941, to enable the Post and Telecommunications Department to meet the demands and changes of the globalised economy. The disclosure was made by Principal Director, Information and Telecommunications, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), JoAnne Archibald, during the official launch of a set of commemorative stamps marking...

The Office of the Contractor General (OCG), in its annual report, has argued that regulations are needed to address the growing trend of off-shore incorporated private companies receiving Government of Jamaica contracts. According to the report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on Sep. 22, Contractor General, Greg Christie, is urging Cabinet to amend the Government Procurement Rules...

The Post and Telecommunications Department and the George Headley Centenarian Planning Committee launched a set of commemorative stamps marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of West Indian cricket icon, the late George Alphonso Headley, on Friday (September 25). The set, featuring stamps with images covering the career of one of the finest batsmen of all times, was formally unveiled...

The Portmore Seventh-Day Adventist Church is gearing up to worship with the country's athletes at a thanksgiving service scheduled for Saturday, October 3. Pastor of the church, Roy Dennis, told JIS News that preparations have started at the church. He noted that the facility, located at 7 Port Henderson Road, can accommodate some 3,000 persons, and additional seating will be...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding says that next Tuesday (September 29), when he addresses Parliament, the nation will hear about the changes that will have to be made to give the country a chance to survive and grow. "We will be proposing the direction to take the country through this crisis and beyond into a period where we can...