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Member of Parliament (MP) for East Central St. Andrew, Dr. Peter Phillips, has called for a tightening of the Government's procurement process. Speaking during his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 27, Dr. Phillips said that all contracts, including sub-contracts, should be listed on a website "for all to see" and fit and...

A Bill amending the Tourist (Duty Free) Shopping System Act, which allows persons arriving at the international airports to make duty free purchases on their arrival into the country, was passed in the Senate on Friday July 23. Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Bill,...

A resolution to extend the State of Emergency, which has been in effect since May 23, was not approved in the House of Representatives Tuesday (July 20). The resolution, brought by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, sought to extend the state of emergency in the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine to August 21, 2010. The...

Cabinet has approved the Development Applications Approval Process 'Flow Charts', and the Procedures Manual for all profile of applications in the business process. Speaking at the weekly post Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on July 15, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, that the approval will ensure a quicker response time for...

The Senate has approved a Bill protecting the Child Development Agency (CDA) and its employees from any action flowing from a 2005 blunder, in which the Child Care and Protection (Children's Homes) Regulations were gazetted before being approved by Parliament. The Bill effectively validated and confirmed acts done "in good faith" by the CDA and any person having official duties...

Cabinet has approved additional amendments to the Financial Audit and Administration Act (FAAA) and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz "The existing Acts outline the broad parameters for achieving fiscal responsibility and fiscal prudence, and the proposed amendments will strengthen...

Cabinet has approved the revised Benefit Review Mechanism for use in the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH). This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, during a Post Cabinet press briefing on July 15 at Jamaica House. Mr. Vaz said that the...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 13 approved the National Insurance (Increase in Benefits) Order 2010, and the National Insurance (Increase in Benefits) Resolution 2010, to validate the increase in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits, which became effective on July 1. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, said that the increases would provide further benefits to...

Cabinet has approved a contract in the amount of CAN$19.9 million to Intelcan Technosystems Inc. for the design, construction and equipping of two control towers for the Norman Manley and Sangster International airports. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz (right), addressing journalists at the weekly post Cabinet press briefing, held on July 15, at...

Members Parliament paid tribute to former People's National Party (PNP) Minister of Agriculture, Public Utilities, Mining and Energy, and Water and Transport, Horace Clarke, on Tuesday July 13. They described him as a dedicated politician, who served his constituencies (Northern, West Central and Central St. Mary), between 1972 and 2002, and his country, admirably. Opposition Leader, the Most Hon. Portia...

The Senate has passed the six anti-crime Bills, first brought to Parliament in 2008 by the Government to support its efforts to reduce crime and violence in the country. Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte The Bills are: an Act to amend the Bail Act; an Act to...

Cabinet has approved an adjustment in the contract sum for civil works to the main dock at Petrojam Limited in Kingston, to repair severe damage to the facility resulting from a ship crash last year. The value of the contract, awarded to Diving and Salvaging Limited, will move from $99 million (inclusive of a 15 per cent contingency) to $137.7...