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Over 250 of the 300 drains and gullies across Jamaica that have been targeted under the National Works Agency's (NWA) Flood Damage Mitigation Programme have been cleaned. Communications and Customer Service Manager at the NWA, Stephen Shaw told JIS News in a recent interview that over 90% of the work had been completed and will cost over $70 million to...

The St. Elizabeth Poor Relief Department is reporting that it continues to meet most of the needs of the parish's over 880 registered poor, and over 200 children whose education is being financed. The parish's Inspector of the Poor, Joan Bedford told JIS News that the Department, with its six field officers, visits communities to ensure that the indigent who...

A major highlight of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial show this year is the Parish Pavilion competition, which allows all parishes to mount displays showcasing their offerings and vie for prizes. Speaking with JIS News, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant pointed out that parishes will compete for the Rudolph Burke and Percy Broderick trophies and...

The Social Development Commission (SDC) is to set up disaster committees in the Port Morant and Yallahs development areas of St. Thomas. A similar committee, the Prospect Disaster Management Committee, has been established in the Morant Bay development area in the parish. Parish Manager for the SDC, Luther Cummings, told JIS News that the committees are being set up to...

The annual Denbigh Agricultural Show is projected to earn a surplus of $9 million this year. Speaking at a JIS 'Think Tank' on July 17, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, said the surplus would be ploughed back into the Denbigh showground, to transform it into a year-round attraction. The agricultural show will be staged from...

Director of the Ebony Park HEART Academy in Clarendon, Dermon Spence, has pledged his full support and that of the institution, to the promotion of protected agriculture technology (green house farming). "Our contribution is solid. We are prepared to train persons to take on this new and exciting venture in addressing our ability to produce under varying conditions," Mr. Spence...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, has proposed that persons found in possession of, or attempting to export stolen scrap metal, be fined $2 million, up from the current $3,000. "This Ministry will be recommending to the Cabinet that they approve and increase the fine to $2 million for anyone found in possession of stolen goods or attempting...

Jamaicans residing in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia will celebrate the country's 46th year of Independence with several events, to be hosted by the Jamaican Embassy. The events will commence on Friday, August 1 with a live broadcast of the popular radio morning current affairs show, 'Today with Beverley Anderson Manley,' from the studios of the Organization of American States...

Chairman of the Police Federation, Corporal Raymond Wilson, on Tuesday (July 15), told Prime Minister Bruce Golding that the federation would welcome any approach that would balance performance with pay, in keeping with the modern era in which the country is moving. "We would welcome any approach that would balance performance with pay. Naturally the issue of proper assessment of...

Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, has given the nod to a behaviour modification camp, being held for teens between 12 and 16 years of age, at the Glengoffe High School in rural St. Catherine. Mr. Holness, following a presentation to the over 200 teens at the camp this week, told JIS News that he was comfortable with it. "From what...

The mobility of the police in Portland has been enhanced, with the presentation of a new vehicle on July 15, by Member of Parliament for Western Portland, Daryl Vaz. The unit was purchased with the help of some private sector and Government entities, along with a number of residents in Portland. Mr. Vaz handed over the unit at a presentation...

European investor confidence in Jamaica received a major boost this week as Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett embarked on a whistle-stop tour of key cities, drumming up interest in Jamaica's tourism product and wooing investors. The minister paid special attention to securing current airlift out of growing markets like Ireland and Spain, while holding discussions with major airline principals over the...