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Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has said that, despite many criticisms, his Government remains committed to the abolition of user fees in hospitals. He said that those who can afford to pay, should pay what they can afford. But, the problem has always been that the country was never able to develop an appropriate means to determine whether a...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding officially commissioned into operation a new rope conveyor system, at Jamalco's Mount Oliphant mining operation in Manchester, on Friday (August 28). Mr. Golding used the opportunity to laud the efforts that the company has been making to keep its mining operation running. He said that investment in technology was one of the main things...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be instituting a special programme in two communities of Portland, as part of an islandwide initiative, aimed at mitigating the effects of disasters. This initiative, which is being carried out in 28 vulnerable communities across the country, will involve the training of community members in disaster mitigation and emergency response;...

Some $60 million will be spent this year to improve the island's ability to withstand natural disasters. The funds, which will be provided by the Department for International Development (DFID), forms part of the Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Programme and will be used to train 300 community artisans on safer building practices. It will also go towards retrofitting 1,500 houses...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of assessment organisation, Extended DISC Caribbean, Trevor Smith, has argued that Jamaica's pursuit of global competitiveness must be accompanied by structured culture change initiatives, which include behaviour-based re-training of leadership and supervisory personnel. "Globally, more attention is being paid to the 'people' component of competitiveness, as increasingly companies and countries are realising that if you are...

A National Survey to identify and assess Jamaica's Leadership Culture is currently being implemented by leading assessment company, Extended DISC Caribbean. According to Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Trevor Smith, close to 100 organisations have responded to its National Leadership Culture Survey, and he is hoping for more participants. "Extended DISC is hoping to get 1,000 participants for this project and...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) on Thursday (August 27), received a US$25,000 (J$2.2 million) donation from the Government of Mexico, to support the reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Gustav, which lashed the island in August of 2008. Mexican Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Lenora Rueda, presented the cheque to Director General of ODPEM,...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding used the medium of his monthly radio talk show, 'Jamaica House Live', Wednesday night (August 26), to make an impassioned plea for public sector workers and their unions to show more empathy and understanding for Jamaica's current economic plight. "I make an appeal to the unions that represent Public Sector workers, I make an...

A National Branding Committee is to be established as part of measures to ensure that Jamaica capitalises on the achievements of its athletes at the recently completed 12th International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF) World Athletic Championships in Berlin, Germany. This was disclosed by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, at a press briefing, held at the...

The Government is expressing optimism that the Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will make a decision on Jamaica's application for balance of payment support, by the end of October. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, told journalists at today's (August 26) post Cabinet press briefing, at Jamaica House, that discussions with the IMF are...

The Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre (General Penitentiary) received 20 toilets, Tuesday (August 25), from two support organisations, Prison Fellowship Jamaica and the Board of Visitors, to assist in improvements to the penal institution's sanitary conveniences. Commissioner of Corrections, June Jarrett, thanked both organisations for the toilets, in particular, and for their continued support of the correctional institutions over the...

Bishop Herro Blair has been re-appointed Political Ombudsman, to serve for another five years. Presenting the Instruments of Re-appointment, at a brief ceremony, held at King's House, today (Aug. 25), Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen congratulated Bishop Blair on his re-appointment and for the contribution he has made over the years in that capacity. "We are...