Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre) interacts with residents of Rocky Point Clarendon, during a visit to the area today (July 13). The Jamaica Defence Force, including members of the Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART), has been on the ground providing emergency assistance, clearing debris, and restoring essential services, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

Some 250 small businesspersons in South Manchester, who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl, are to receive support to restart their businesses. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie made the disclosure during a tour of several communities in the area on Friday (July 12). “Persons whose small businesses were destroyed by the hurricane, the SDC...

Regional Director of Region 1, Otis Brown (left), presents Moneke Mattocks with her certificate at the Jamaica-Tertiary Education Commission’s (J-TEC) Food Service Worker Certification Ceremony at George Headley Primary School in Kingston on Friday (July 12). The event saw the award of certificates to school-based food service workers who participated in a pilot project to certify individuals through the Prior...

The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has advised that its offices located at 78cef Hagley Park Road in Kingston will remain closed today (July 4) following the passing of Hurricane Beryl. Regular operations will resume Friday, July 5 at 8:30 a.m. The BGLC further encourages citizens to continue taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety. The BGLC is the...

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is adequately equipped to restore power in the event of outages due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl. This assurance was given by Director, Business Continuity, Roger Kennedy, while addressing a briefing with agencies responsible for disaster preparedness and members of the Cabinet at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1). Mr. Kennedy said all...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is pleased to announce its investment in Jamaica's first Venture Capital Fund in over 30 years. This Fund will be managed by Mscale LLC (“Mscale”), and this investment follows a rigorous ‘Call for Proposal’ that was issued by the DBJ in 2023. Mscale is a Delaware-based management company, focused on venture and permanent capital...

Usage of the online immigration and customs declaration (C5) form has seen a major uptick, thanks to the promotional efforts of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). In September 2023, it became mandatory for persons returning to the island to complete the previous paper immigration and customs declaration form online. PICA’s Business Development and Communication Director, Kauna McKenzie, told...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is reporting a noticeable increase in the number of fisherfolk being registered, which moved from 5,687 to 7,640, for a 34 per cent increase in renewals of licences. “We continue to work on that, and we do believe that some of the systems that we’ve put in place to make that...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is advising members of the public to take precautions against smoke inhalation following news of a fire at the Riverton Landfill in St Andrew. Persons with respiratory illnesses such as asthma; and other vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, are urged to limit exposure by reducing outdoor activities. Closing windows and doors is recommended until...