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Managing Director of the Water Resources Authority (WRA), Basil Fernandez, has expressed the view that Jamaica's water quality is among the best in the world. "You have to remember that our water is not tainted by some of the pharmaceuticals and chemicals found in the water in some countries," he told JIS News. "Many cruise ships that visit Jamaica and...

Plans have been far advanced by the Ministry of Agriculture, for the establishment of some eight fishing sanctuaries across Jamaica, in an effort to ensure the sustainability and viability of the industry. Speaking at the third in a series of public consultations on the Draft National Fisheries Policy in Montego Bay St. James yesterday, September 25, Minister of Agriculture, Dr....

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has said that the sector recorded five per cent growth since the start of the year, and has exceeded the performance of all other destinations in the Caribbean, and Latin, and South America. Speaking at a recent JIS 'Think Tank', he stated that preliminary figures as at September 21, indicate that the island received 1.2...

Industry, Investment, and Commerce Minister, Karl Samuda, has called on manufacturers to utilise applied technology and new approaches to enhance productivity in the sector. This he said, should be coupled with increased output by workers, and pledged the administration's support for these efforts. "We have no hesitation to extending support to any manufacturer or community of manufacturers, manufacturing a product,...

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health and the Environment, Senator Aundre Franklin, has called for the creation of a 'green economy' and 'green jobs', thus creating a new workforce of what he terms 'green collar workers'. This vision of a green economy, he says, would also facilitate the training of thousands of unemployed Jamaican youths for 21st century jobs...

The Knockalva Agricultural School, in Ramble, Hanover, has won the first Pesticide Control Authority (PCA), championship trophy, by defeating the Sydney Pagon Agricultural High School, in an inaugural quiz competition. The competition was staged by the PCA, as part of its observance of Pesticides Awareness Week from September 21 to 27. With Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Western Regional Director,...

As the Department of Local Government seeks, to carry out its mandate of decentralising Local Government, an action planning workshop was being staged, with participation from the island's local authorities, to continue capacity building in furthering the reform process. The workshop took the form of a retreat, geared specifically at discussing the Implementation Matrix, designed to guide the process of...

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Don Wehby, says despite the current world financial crisis, Jamaica could learn lessons from the Irish economic model, and the social partnerships that it created. The Minister was speaking to JIS News following two days of high level talks in Ireland with senior Government and business executives....

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that the approach to Jamaica's food security programme and creation of food stability for the nation, will be holistic. "We intend to influence consumer preference for locally produced foods in parallel with building capacity in food production, encouraging investment while focussing on research and other related sectors," he said, while addressing a...

The police are on the frontline in the fight against crime and the fear of crime as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), continues to work with citizens in responding to the needs of individuals and communities. Using the latest technology, personnel are also trained to manage information and intelligence, in order to secure successful court prosecutions. Hence, the work of...

Mr. President:I am honoured to make my first contribution to the State of the Nation Debate. Let me take this opportunity to thank the Hon. Prime Minister for the confidence that he has demonstrated in appointing me to the Senate as well as to the Ministry of Health, in the capacity of Parliamentary Secretary. I also thank my colleagues, on...

Residents of St. Thomas, are being urged to stop the cutting and burning of trees, as this practice is destroying the natural environment in the parish. Forest Officer for St. Thomas, Adam Francis, has explained that the duties of the two Forest Wardens, to protect and manage the forest resources in St. Thomas, have become more difficult, because of the...