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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...

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives has suspended deliberations on the Corruption Prevention (Special Prosecutor) Act, as Members could not agree on some of the provisions in the Bill, at the sitting on June 1. In leading the discussions, Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, suggested the suspension, and consultation between the leadership of the House on the issues. “I...

KINGSTON — The Government of Jamaica is seeking to amend the financial statutes, to combat unlawful ponzi schemes. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, made the disclosure as he responded to questions from Opposition Spokesperson on Finance, Dr. Peter Phillips, in the House of Representatives on May 31. Mr. Shaw said the amendments will be made...

KINGSTON — The National Disability Bill, with provisions to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities, is to be enacted by next March, says Director of Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock Ducasse. She was speaking at a training workshop for frontline health workers, at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston on...

KINGSTON — Cabinet has approved drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for amendments to the Standards Act, the Processed Foods Act and related regulations. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure on May 12 post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. He informed that proposals are being made to amend the legislation,...

KINGSTON — The House of Representatives approved the expenditures outlined in the 2011/2012 Budget on Tuesday. Closing the debate, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, urged all Jamaicans to maintain a spirit of optimism. “Without a sense of optimism, I could never have held fast to the belief that Jamaicans had a right to single-digit interest...

KINGSTON — The Government is moving to strengthen the Code of Political Conduct and provide stringent civil and criminal sanctions for certain breaches, as it moves to address political garrisons and tribalism. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, made the disclosure today, during his contribution to the 2011/12 Budget debate in the House of Representatives. The move, he said is...