Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Pearnel Charles, says that compensation should be awarded for the many indignities heaped on the country’s ancestors during the period of slavery. He made the remarks during the Reparations Youth Baton Relay and Rally at Gordon House on November 21. Mr. Charles argued that the British Government felt that it was just to...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 21) approved the 168 amendments made by the Senate to the National Identification and Registration Bill, which seeks to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaica. A National Identification System (NIDS) is intended to provide a comprehensive and secure structure to enable the capture and storage of identity information for all Jamaicans. Each...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (November 21) announced in Parliament the areas to be designated as the boundary of the Cockpit Country and of the Cockpit Country Protected Area. Prime Minister Holness says Cabinet adopted the Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr. (2005) Boundary as the boundary of the Cockpit Country. This boundary will be declared and gazetted. Meanwhile, the protected area will...

The Senate, on Friday (November 17), passed the Bank of Jamaica (Amendment) Act, 2017, during its sitting at Gordon House. The legislation will facilitate an extension of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor’s tenure by at least two years. At the conclusion of the extension, the post will be advertised and the Governor-General, in counsel, will appoint a new Governor...

More than 70 per cent of the US$68 million projected for implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) will be used to upgrade the Government’s information and technology (IT) infrastructure. This is according to NIDS Programme Director, Warren Vernon, who said this is being strengthened to ensure the system is ready for roll-out in 2019. “Most of the project’s budget...

The National Identification and Registration Bill, which seeks to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaicans, was passed in the Senate on Monday (November 13) after 12 hours of deliberations. The legislation was passed with 168 amendments and will return to the House of Representatives today (November 14) for approval. A National Identification System (NIDS) is intended to provide a...

At 1:18 a.m. this morning (November 11), the Senate suspended the debate on the National Identification and Registration Act, 2017, bringing to a close a gruelling 14-hour sitting. Given the urgency of the need to pass the Bill, which seeks to establish a reliable National Identification System (NIDS) for Jamaicans, it was decided that a special sitting will be held...