The Japanese Government is providing funding of US$482,000 to enhance the technological capacity of the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ). Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said the funding will go towards a number of initiatives, including the building of a world-class technology-driven natural history exhibition gallery at the Natural History Museum. The Minister, who was making her contribution...

The Ministry of Youth and Culture is working to improve the services offered to youth, to increase their engagement in society. Through the establishment of two Youth Information Centres (YICs) in Hanover and Spanish Town, St. Catherine, the Ministry aims to place greater emphasis on engaging at-risk youth, which include unattached and out-of-school youth with maladaptive behaviours, and delinquent youth...

The Ministry of Youth and Culture is spearheading the development of a National Plan of Action for an Integrated Response to Children and Violence (NPACV). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, made the announcement during her contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on May 6. She said the NPACV, which will be implemented during the course...

The Ministry of Health will be spending some $460 million to undertake work at 12 secondary care facilities across the island during the current fiscal year. The allocation will go towards further expansion of the Linstead Hospital in St. Catherine and the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas, among others. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, made the announcement on...

The Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB) is currently in discussions with other lending institutions for loans of $2 billion to finance its investment programme, as currently it has over $4 billion in applications in the pipeline, including proposals to build low and middle income houses. “In an effort to increase the housing stock, the Jamaica Mortgage Bank projects commitment of approximately...

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...