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The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, under the leadership of Karl Samuda has focussed on repositioning and improving the sector, with particular emphasis on micro and small businesses. High on the agenda also were: developing and expanding the manufacturing and export sectors; regularising the scrap metal industry; and identifying measures to assist with food security and the shortage of...

In recent times, the alleged sexual harassment and rape of a police woman by her male counterpart, as well as her experience in seeking justice, has brought into sharp focus the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment refers to unwanted sexual advances, whether verbal, physical or cyber/communication, such as e-mails, text/photo messages and graphics. It can range...

The Ministry of National Security, has, through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), achieved a number of successes since the new administration assumed office a year ago. In January, the JCF reported that the number of "drug mules," smuggling narcotics out of the country, have been significantly reduced, due to its heightened surveillance activities and intelligence. Statistics from the Narcotics Division,...

The visions of providing access to safe water for all Jamaicans by 2015 and affordable, safe and, legal housing by 2025, energised the Ministry of Water and Housing during the past year. The visions of the Ministry coincide with its roles and responsibilities, which include the provision of potable water to all users, the provision of proper sewage facilities and...

The Housing arm of the Ministry of Water and Housing, has continued its mandate to provide affordable, safe, and legal housing to all Jamaicans by 2025. Led by Dr. Horace Chang, a medical doctor, who is supported by Minister of State, E. Everald Warmington, and Permanent Secretary, Genefa Hibbert, the Ministry has taken seriously, its plans to facilitate the provision...

Pesticides Control Authority inspector, Andre Ho-Young, has urged farmers and householders to comply with the regulations governing the use of pesticides, in order to significantly reduce the incidence of poisoning which result from improper use and handling of these chemicals. Mr. Ho-Young was speaking at a community meeting hosted by the Pesticides Control Authority in McNie, Clarendon, recently. The event...

Fewer rescue operations were carried out in St. Thomas during Tropical Storm Gustav, due to residents having heeded the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management's (ODPEM) calls for early evacuation in flood prone areas. Deputy Superintendent of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Denzil Roper, told JIS News, that residents near river banks and in flood prone areas had evacuated early,...

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has outlined the marketing and investment strategies that will be pursued, to increase airlift to Jamaica from existing and emerging markets. In terms of marketing, Mr. Bartlett noted that the sector has been looking towards intense market diversification as a new approach in selling the product to new and emerging markets. The Minister explained that...

Health Educator with the Clarendon Health Department, Carlisa Pierson, has said that senior citizens still have a significant contribution to make to family life. "We are hoping to promote our services and improve the access to seniors, so that more of them will come to the health centres to use the services. Even as we are celebrating seniors, we are...

The European Investment Bank (EIB), has responded positively to the project proposal for the $50 million expansion of the Wigton Wind Farm in Manchester. This was disclosed to JIS News, by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Don Wehby, who was in London last week, following two days of top level talks with...

A flood mitigation seminar was held recently in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), in collaboration with the Water Resources Authority (WRA). Stakeholders from the agricultural sector, fishermen, and representatives from the commercial community attended the seminar, with presenters updating them on flood prone areas that would receive priority attention, and the measures they could take...

Broadleaf All-age School in Manchester, has received a multi-purpose court, built by Jamalco at a cost of more than $1 million. At the handing over ceremony, held at the school on September 25, Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) President-elect, Michael Stewart, said the donation of the court would help in discovering sporting talents in the area. "This initiative will go a...