Three major markets are to be upgraded and refurbished this year under the Markets Rehabilitation Programme. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, said the markets slated for work are Ocho Rios, St. Ann; Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth; and Port Maria, St. Mary. Minister Arscott was making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate on April 22,...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be undertaking a special hurricane preparedness public education campaign this year. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, said the campaign, to begin before the start of the 2015 hurricane season, “will sensitise citizens on critical matters pertaining to their preparedness and response.” Minister Arscott was making...

The Government will, this year, implement several projects, valued over $1 billion, which aim to transform the lives of sugar industry workers. Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, outlined details of the engagements during his 2015/16 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, April 21, under the theme: ‘Making Jamaica’s Agriculture Sustainable’. Mr. Kellier said...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is targeting another 8,093 hectares (20,000 acres) of Government land for development into agro-parks over the next five years. The move forms part of the Ministry’s undertaking to preserve and utilise the 271,600 hectares, or 25 per cent, of Jamaica’s just over one million hectares of land, deemed suitable for agriculture. It will also...

A transportation hub is to be constructed in Portmore, St. Catherine, as the Government works to improve the efficiency of the public passenger system in the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR). The project, which will cost approximately €47,312,093, is expected to be undertaken over 24 months. Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, made the announcement on...

Public transportation operations in downtown Kingston are expected to be significantly improved by June 2016, when the Government is slated to roll out new arrangements. Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, made the announcement during his 2015/16 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 21. “The new arrangements will see improvements...

The Ministry of Agriculture is slated to spend over $418 million in 2015/16, to continue work on existing agro-parks and establish new facilities. This allocation, according to Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, will complement the $718 million spent over the past two years to develop the nine agro-parks currently in operation. He made this disclosure during...

Opposition Spokesperson on Science and Technology, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, says that the area of e-waste and e-waste recycling represents a promising emerging market for Jamaica, while also having the potential to bridge the gap between technology and the environment. He was making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate on Wednesday, April 15, in the House of Representatives. “Let us,...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell is assuring that number portability will be available to Jamaicans by May 31 this year. He informed that he has issued a Number Portability Administrator licence to Porting Access B.V. a company out of the Netherlands, which is working to ensure that this deadline will be met. The Minister was...