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Over 300 persons are currently occupying shelters in St Thomas, after rising waters caused by torrential rains associated with Tropical Storm Gustav, forced them to evacuate their homes. Officials from the St Thomas Parish Disaster Committee and the relevant agencies, were scheduled to visit the shelters on Saturday (August 30), to determine the number of persons who will need relief...

Preliminary assessments from the National Water Commission (NWC), indicate that approximately 65% of the utility company's distribution network, was affected during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. Speaking at a media briefing at Jamaica House on Friday (August 29), Prime Minister Bruce Golding, said preliminary reports received, indicate that failure in the public electricity supply, resulting from the storm's onslaught,...

All Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) employees, who are rostered for duty as of Sunday, August 31, are being asked to report to work at their respective locations. These locations are the Rockfort, Portmore, and Spanish Town depots, and the Ashenheim Road post. Marketing Manager for the JUTC, Lenworth Simms, advises that regular bus service, which was suspended on Thursday,...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has instructed the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), to conduct an assessment of the status of the local game bird population, in light of the passage Tropical Storm Gustav last week. The Prime Minister, also issued instructions for the suspension of game bird shooting, as at last weekend, until NEPA submits a report on its...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has commended the efforts of organisations and individuals involved in disaster and emergency relief activities, executed during and in the aftermath of the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. Speaking at a media briefing at Jamaica House on August 29, during which he updated journalists on the effects of the storm on the island, the Prime Minister...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that a full assessment of the damage and losses, sustained within the agricultural sector during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, will be undertaken within a week. This, he points out, will serve to inform and guide the comprehensive plan, which the Government will be embarking on, to resuscitate the sector. Dr....

Only three of the 14 emergency shelters in St. Catherine, which housed evacuees of communities in the parish, that were severely affected during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, remain occupied. The shelters, two of which are schools, and the third, a church, currently house close to 100 occupants, comprising adults and children. Upwards of 650 individuals were being housed...

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government Reform, Robert Montague, has appealed to members of the Jamaican Diaspora, to contribute to the Indigent Housing Fund, which, he says, needs J$50 million to provide care for Jamaica's indigent. Speaking at a recent Town Hall Meeting in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Montague said the indigent...

The Ministry of Education, has advised that, in light of the impact and dislocation resulting from the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, the 2008/09 academic year will officially begin on Wednesday, September 3. The new school year was expected to commence today (September 1). However, a statement issued by the Ministry on Sunday (August 31), advised that the date has...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has said the Government would be providing assistance to communities and persons, who sustained damage, dislocation and losses during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. Addressing journalists at a media briefing at Jamaica House, today (August 29), Mr. Golding said the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, has been instructed to conduct investigations into reports of...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, today (August 29), visited several areas which have been affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. Mr. Golding, who visited Gordon Town, Kintyre, Taylor Lands, Harbour View and McGregor Gully, told JIS News, that a team was currently working in Harbour View, to erect a Bailey Bridge, to replace the bridge that has been destroyed....

The Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL), is planning to introduce the shift system, in order to increase the number of adults passing through its programmes to 25,000 over the next three years. This was noted by Executive Director of the JFLL, Edward Shakes, at a JIS 'Think Tank', held on Wednesday (August 27). "We have met with our management...