The Universal Service Fund (USF) is funding a project to provide Wide Area Network connectivity for 73 police stations and facilities across the island, at a cost of $7 million. This islandwide broadband fibre-optic network, being put in by FLOW, will provide interconnectivity and Internet across the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) facilities. This will allow officers to share information and...

At a meeting with the Hanover Lay Magistrates Association last week, a suggestion was made to the Minister of National Security that a national identification card should be developed for all adults, which would carry biographic and biometric data. As part of his response, the Minister commented that the elector identification cards issued by the EOJ was such a system,...

The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is reaping rewards from improvements made to its service delivery processes. Customer Service Director at PICA, Lesline Chisholm, told JIS News that during the period 2012 to 2014, PICA implemented technological solutions, and provided facilities and services for customers with special needs. Focus was also placed on improving efficiency through staff motivation, while...

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon Portia Simpson Miller, says the Jamaica/United Kingdom (UK) partnership, has been vital to the country’s economic programme. “The UK Government’s provision of substantial bilateral debt relief has been a major contribution to Jamaica’s economic programme,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said. Addressing a special Joint Sitting of Parliament at Gordon House on September 30,  she  also commended...

A halfway house in Clarendon was the recent beneficiary of engineering and construction work, carried out by crew members of  the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Lyme Bay, which is making its first visit to the island. The Disaster Relief Troop of the British naval vessel, which has been in port at the Kingston Wharves since September 24, remodeled the building...

Canaan Heights is poised to evolve into a model community, as the residents and members of the Development Committee and Benevolent Society, headed by President, Albert Bailey, are on a mission to rebuild and nurture their neighbourhood. This, they aim to achieve through the implementation of several social development programmes and initiatives, being spearheaded by the 13 year old Benevolent...

Beginning October 1, 2015, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) will be expanding the use of its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), a web-based application that allows clients to undertake e-transactions. Commissioner of the JCA, Major Richard Reese, says the expanded use will include the processing of Transit, Transshipment, Private and Public Bonded Warehousing declarations for commercial and non-commercial imports...