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Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator for Westmoreland, Hilma Tate, has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness in the parish for the hurricane season, which began on June 1. "In this parish, we have been working assiduously to ensure that the level of preparedness is at a high. Presently, the main drains in the town and adjoining areas are being cleaned and...

Gender and development consultant, Dr. Glenda Simms, is advocating increased monitoring of material children are exposed to in the media, particularly on television. Delivering the keynote address at the Office of the Children's Advocate's (OCA) inaugural Media Appreciation Breakfast, at the Alhambra Inn, Kingston on Thursday (June 11), Dr. Simms cited television, particularly cable, as a "powerful tool," capable of...

At least 304 young people are participating in an emergency response training programme, which is aimed at strengthening the country's mitigation capacity during a disaster. The four-week course, organised by the National Youth Service (NYS) in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), is being held at the NYS training site at Eco-Village in Chestervale, rural...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is introducing the workflow Applications Management and Data Automation (AMANDA) system, to improve speed and efficiency in processing development applications. Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Knight, told journalists at a media briefing at NEPA's offices in Kingston on Tuesday (June 9), that AMANDA will facilitate timely tracking and management of all development...

Plans for the relocation of the Jamaica Fire Brigade's (JFB) administrative headquarters from downtown Kingston to Half Way Tree next month have been changed, disclosed State Minister with Responsibility for Local Government in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Robert Montague. The JFB's central operations are, instead, expected to move into unoccupied offices at the Central Sorting Office (CSO)...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) will shortly commence work on the development of a master plan for sewerage and institutional arrangements, for the provision of sewerage services. According to Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEPA, Peter Knight, this is one of five initiatives which the agency will be pursuing for implementation, over the next three months. Addressing...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding is of the view that the new global landscape challenging countries like Jamaica require a regulatory structure. He says markets have proven that they are not capable of regulating themselves and that systems need to be put in place to ensure effective functioning. Referring to the recent incident with the export of Jamaican patties...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has assured Jamaican exporters that the Government will defend their interests within the Caricom bloc, even as it upholds the regional integration goals. He was speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) Export Week yesterday (June 8) at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. Taking a critical look at the situation,...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has cautioned that the existence of Caricom, the only organisation dedicated to the economic interests of Caribbean countries, was at risk. "There are a number of things that are happening now that are destabilising and threatening the existence of Caricom. The political integration that is being pursued by Trinidad and a number of countries...

The St. Ann Parish Disaster Committee is holding a series of public education meetings across the parish. The meetings are being held in collaboration with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), and are aimed at heightening residents' awareness of disaster preparedness. The second in the series was at the Parry Town playing field, Ocho Rios, where residents were eager to participate...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mining Marcia Forbes, has said that she fully expects the National Energy Policy to be completed by the end of June, 2009. The Permanent Secretary made the statement at last week's opening of the Green Expo 2009 at the National Arena in Kingston. "We are working assiduously on the National Energy Policy...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has expressed satisfaction with the work of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA). He described it as "hugely successful" and congratulated the management and staff as they celebrated at the NSWMA Recognising Excellence and Staff Awards Function on June 5, at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. Mr. Golding said, "I am impressed by...