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...

Approximately 100 youth from across the island will be officially appointed as National Youth Parliamentarians on Monday, November 27, during an Investiture Ceremony at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston. This announcement was made by State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, on November 8 at Ardenne High School in Kingston, following his Motivational and Empowerment...

Over 50,000 blue mountain coffee seedlings (tipica) are to be distributed to farmers in East Rural St. Andrew, under a joint project with the Embassy of Japan called the Enhancement of Production of Blue Mountain Coffee. This was disclosed by Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew and wife of the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, during...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 7) passed the Building Bill, which seeks to establish a modern legislative framework that will serve to reduce the vulnerability of Jamaica’s built environment and ensure public safety. The legislation, which was passed with 24 amendments, was piloted by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. The Bill provides for...

The three newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) were sworn in today (November 7) during the sitting of the House of Representatives. They are Member of Parliament for St. Mary South Eastern, Dr. Norman Dunn; Member of Parliament for St. Andrew Southern, Mark Golding; and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew South Western, Dr. Angela Brown Burke. After taking the...