Government has executed a further bauxite levy concession agreement with Russian aluminium company, UC Rusal, for an additional two years. The agreement will see the company benefiting from a relief of bauxite levy for the West Indies Alumina Company Limited (Windalco) Ewarton plant for the period October 1, 2013 to September 1, 2015. Making the announcement in the House of...

A total of 1,342 wooden units have been built under the Jamaica Emergency Housing Programme, as the Government continues to provide shelter for the most vulnerable. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Wednesday, June 4. The programme, which is a collaboration of...

Government is to acquire several properties as it moves to regularise the land occupation of 330 residents of informal settlements across the island. The properties are to be acquired under the Local Improvement Community [Amenities] Act (LICA), which makes provision for the declaration of certain defined areas comprising specified lands, as special improvements (infrastructure) areas. The Act also allows for...

The Government has been provided with US$125,000 by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) to implement the second phase of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP). An initiative of the UN Habitat, the PSUP aims to advance the living conditions in urban areas, thus contributing to Millennium Development Goal 7, Target 11, which speaks to significantly improving the...

Two automatic weather stations, which will enhance the climate data collection capacity of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica are to be acquired this year, under a $27.5 million grant agreement. The funds are being provided through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C’s), which coordinates the region’s response to managing and adapting to climate change. This was disclosed by Minister of...

Several strategies aimed at reducing the National Water Commission’s (NWC) high energy usage will be implemented in short order. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill gave the undertaking while contributing to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 3. Minister Pickersgill said the company will be resorting to the alternative production...

The PetroCaribe Development Fund will set aside $18 million to assist landowners who have applied to the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) for titles, and are unable to complete the process, due to lack of funding. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, who made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives...