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The Government, through various units within the Cabinet Office, is implementing and executing programmes geared at improving customer service delivery among public sector entities. One such initiative is the Citizens Charter Programme, an adaptation of the British Government's model, where agencies that show exemplary service excellence are awarded a charter mark. Principal Director for the Customer Service Programme at the...

The European Commission (EC) has approved just over $217 million (Euros 1.9 million) for disbursement to assist the Government with the budgetary impact and infrastructure repairs resulting from Tropical Storm Gustav in 2008. Another $230m (Euros 2 million) is to be allocated to projects designed to alleviate the suffering caused by the storm and its aftermath. Gustav caused 15 deaths...

In a release issued on Thursday (June 4), the headline should have read: 'Inaugural Early Childhood Expo on July 7', and not June 7, as we reported. The first paragraph should have read, 'The inaugural Early Childhood Development Expo 2009, which will feature innovations in early childhood education and development, will be held on Tuesday (July 7) at the Jamaica...

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has called on members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) to help root out criminality and corruption from the police force. Addressing the 25th annual Joint Conference of the Special Constabulary Force Association at the Jamaica Grande Hotel in St. Ann this morning (June 4), Mr. Golding said there is a need for...

Nine students from the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona, will gain valuable work experience through a partnership between the university and the Government of Jamaica. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today (June 3) at Jamaica House between the UWI and the Cabinet Office for the Public Sector Management Internship Programme. The students...

In a bid to further improve its disaster management capabilities, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has embarked on a project focussing on the management of natural hazards in coastal towns and cities. According to Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson, the three major areas being targeted are: Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland; Black River, St. Elizabeth, and Ocho Rios,...

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, has said that the agency will be maintaining focus on the problem of informal settlements, during the current hurricane season. He said that this is an issue that ODPEM has been working to assist in resolving for some time, having undertaken the relocation of displaced informal...

Former Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Elinor Sherlock, has been appointed Chief of State Protocol at the Office of the Prime Minister. Her current mission is to co-ordinate all areas of protocol in the Government service for State, Ceremonial, and Official Visits. She will advise on matters of State Protocol to the Governor-General, Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Ministry of...

As part of preparation efforts for the 2009 Hurricane Season, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has sought to improve shelter conditions, having identified 150 priority shelters. This was noted by ODPEM's Director General, Ronald Jackson, during a press conference, held at Jamaica House on June 1 to launch Disaster Preparedness Month. "We have over 150 shelters...

The issue of how well Jamaica will adapt to climate change is being vigorously pursued by the Government, its agencies, and partners, said Senior Director with responsibility for Environment in the Office of the Prime Minister, Leonie Barnaby. Speaking at a recent Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP) public lecture and panel discussion at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston...

Director of the National Meteorological Service, Sylvia McGill, has said that the agency is prepared for the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which is expected to be average to above average. "We are prepared for the season. We have a well established warning system, and we depend on the media, when we issue the bulletins, to bring this to the public...

The St. Elizabeth Parish Development Committee (PDC) is to be chaired by International Business Consultant, Aubyn Hill, supported by a 12-member Executive. Mr. Hill was elected at the annual general meeting of the Committee, held on May 28 at the Santa Cruz community centre, in the parish. His Worship the Mayor of Black River, Councillor Jeremy Palmer, in charging the...