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In a bid to stem the growing number of motor vehicle accidents on the nation's roads, particularly in Clarendon, and the resulting injuries and fatalities, Jamalco recently staged a two-day defensive driving course for 10 taxi operators in the parish. The exercise, which was conducted by Clarendon-based driving instructor, Alphonso Grennell, was staged at the Jamalco Employees Sports Club at...

Minister of National Security, Senator Colonel Trevor MacMillan, and Sales Manager of International Business Machine (IBM) World Trade Corporation, Gordon Foote, on Wednesday (Aug. 13), signed a contract, valued at US$ 4.35 million, for the development of a secure internet portal for the Ministry. Under the agreement, IBM will provide a technological platform to enhance communication between the Ministry of...

The Sam Sharpe Teachers' College Alumni, has commenced extensive modernisation of the Granville Health Centre in St. James, providing new state-of-the-art medical equipment, furniture, computers, medical supplies and other needed items, at a cost of US$1 million. The project began during the past students' annual Medical Mission and Reunion held last month, and is to be sustained for five years...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says Government is looking at setting up a solar energy farm on the eastern side of the Hellshire Hills in Portmore, St Catherine, in its drive to encourage greater use of solar energy for household purposes. Mr. Golding was responding to recommendations made by Montego Bay business persons, during a meeting which took place recently during...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says a special commission is being established to regulate the operations of casinos. New hotels, he said, could continue to put in one gaming machine for every ten rooms. The licensing exclusivity being given to the new casino operators, will not affect establishments with under 20-machines and operators can still apply and obtain machines, as long...

The annual Garvey Extravaganza will be staged this Sunday (August 17), at the Joseph C. Carter Park in Sunrise, Florida, to commemorate the 121st birthday of Jamaica's first National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey. This year's event will coincide with the annual Pan African Bookfest, organised by the Broward County Library Foundation and the Rootz Foundation, Inc. During...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), has secured a total of $7.5 million on behalf of aggrieved consumers, since the start of the 2008/09 financial year in April. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CAC, Dolsie Allen, told JIS News, that the agency received 745 complaints, of which 616 were settled, representing an 83 per cent resolution rate. She noted that...

Jamaicans across the islands are benefitting from four projects, costing more than $10 billion of new Government expenditure. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, speaking at the official opening of the Portmore Tax Collectorate recently, cited these projects as the abolition of cost sharing in education and user fees in the health sector, implementation of a Constituency...

Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Wayne McCook, has said that the argument for having Chinese involvement in tour operations in Jamaica is a logical one, as this would facilitate groups from that country in the island. "In one respect, the Chinese outbound tourists tend to work with their tour companies, so one of the things would be to...

The newly constructed 157-metre bridge at Yallahs in St. Thomas, will be officially opened tomorrow (August 14). Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Henry, made the announcement yesterday (August 12), at a press briefing, held on the construction site. The Minister said that river training would continue to protect the river banks leading to the bridge. In addition, silt and...

Toll free numbers have been provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to help senior citizens and persons with disabilities, to access assistance from anywhere in the island. State Minister in the Ministry, Andrew Gallimore, officially launched the toll free numbers - 1 888-SENIORS and 1 888-ENABLED - at the National Centre for Senior Citizens (NCSC), located at...

Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Wayne McCook, has said that Jamaica's participation in the 2008 Olympic Games in China, comes at a strategic time, as the country seeks to advance its image in the region. Speaking with JIS News, he said the Asian market is a relatively new one for the country, in terms of presence and outreach,...