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KINGSTON — Senator Desmond McKenzie is urging the Government to fast track legislation dealing with the mandatory evacuation of people from disaster-threatened areas and the establishment of ‘no build’ zones. In a Resolution tabled in the Senate on June 17, Senator McKenzie argued that the government should pass the legislation before the end of the current hurricane season in November....

KINGSTON — Legislation to ensure the establishment of a formal structure to promote and preserve the integrity, status and relevance of the Office of the Custos, was passed by the Senate Friday (June 17). Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, moved the Bill, entitled an Act to establish the Office of the Custos Rotulorum. She explained that...

KINGSTON — The Government is to hire an independent consultant, who will provide oversight for payments made under the Jamaica Infrastructure Development Programme (JDIP). Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday June 14, Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding, said the decision was taken after meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Works, as well as the National...

KINGSTON — The Report of the Commission of Enquiry into the extradition of Christopher "Dudus" Coke was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday June 14 by Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding. It contains four main recommendations to the Government, including that the portfolios of Minister of Justice and Attorney General be separated. “We have considered the quality...

KINGSTON — Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, has tabled a Bill to amend the Interception of Communications Act, in the House of Representatives. A decision was taken to amend the Act to provide that a warrant, under Section 4, may authorise that intercepted communications be disclosed to a foreign government, or agency of such government. The Bill, however, noted...

KINGSTON — The Government is examining the feasibility of introducing an unemployment insurance scheme. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, speaking in the House of Representatives earlier this week, said that the Government, in its assessment, “has to be cognizant of those other jurisdictions where similar measures were introduced under their social security system, but did not...

KINGSTON — Cabinet has approved the tabling of a Bill entitled, “The Committal Proceedings Act, 2011”, in Parliament, to abolish preliminary enquiries in Resident Magistrate’s Courts. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, told Wednesday’s (June 8) Post Cabinet media briefing, at Jamaica House, that the Bill aims to abolish the existing procedure of preliminary...

KINGSTON — Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with Responsibility for Local Government Reform, Hon Robert Montague, has stressed the importance of providing housing solutions for indigents in a more wholesome manner. “For example, there are thousands who will never receive their contributions back from the NHT (National Housing Trust), because some have transitioned into...

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives on June 7 approved amendments to the Public Bodies Management Accountability (PBMA) Act and its companion legislation, the Financial Audit and Administration (FAA) Act. Piloting the bills, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, explained that the changes are consistent with the Government’s fiscal responsibility framework, which was tabled in Parliament,...

KINGSTON — Cabinet is slated to discuss the report of the Manatt Commission of Enquiry at its weekly meeting at Jamaica House, next Monday June 13, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has informed. Speaking today at the post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, Minister Vaz said the report will, thereafter, be tabled in...

MANDEVILLE — The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has opened a regional office in Mandeville, to serve Manchester, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, Trelawny (south) and St. Ann (south). Speaking at the opening ceremony of the office located at the Caledonia Mall on June 2, INDECOM Commissioner, Terrence Williams, noted that it is staffed by investigators who reside in the area. “For...

KINGSTON — Proposal for the enactment of legislation to amend the country’s defamation laws, is now the subject of Cabinet discussions, says Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz. Speaking at post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Mr. Vaz said the proposal was submitted by the Ministry of Justice. “This submission will be considered with...