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Minister of Health and the Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has made an appeal to parents to ensure that their children are adequately vaccinated. Speaking at a post-Sectoral press briefing yesterday (June 4) at the Ministry's downtown Kingston offices, Mr. Spencer noted that the law governing immunization would be used, if necessary, to prosecute persons who prevent children from being vaccinated. "If...

The Ministry of Education, intends to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of National Security, to deal with behavioural problems in schools. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing, held at the Office of the Prime Minister, yesterday (June 4), Minister of Education, Andrew Holness pointed out that the MoU would seek to address issues such as...

The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) of the Ministry of National Security will host a public forum on Friday, June 6, as part of efforts to obtain suggestions and concerns from citizens about the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and its auxiliaries. The disclosure was made by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PCOA, Richard Black during an interview with the...

Cabinet has approved the implementation of a National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC). The Commission will be established with the support of the Ministry of Education to spearhead the implementation of the National Parenting Policy, currently being developed through the Early Childhood Commission. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing, held at Jamaica House, yesterday (June 4), Permanent Secretary in the Information...

The Ministry of Water and Housing has entered into a contract with the University of Technology (UTech), for the preparation of a National Housing Policy. "This revolutionary arrangement sees the coming together of a consortium of some of the brightest minds from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica; a mix of policy...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding says that he is seeking the assistance of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in preparing Jamaica to make its contribution to a special high level meeting involving several key international figures. The meeting is slated for New York in September, to discuss the prevailing global food and fuel crisis.This comes against the background of what...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda told his audience at the Jamaica Business Expo, last Friday (May 30), that the Government is starting programmes to offer low cost loans to micro-businesses across the island. There would also be training in business techniques and marketing assistance and financing incentives to lure the interest of small business owners. According...

The Rent Restriction Act is being amended to ensure that the rights of landlords and tenants are equally protected, and to provide the mechanism to enable speedy resolution of disputes. This was disclosed by Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, during his presentation in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (June 4). Dr. Chang...

Cabinet has approved a recommendation for the maximum number of Judges of the Court of Appeal to be increased to 10. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing, yesterday (June 4), at Jamaica House, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, noted that this measure would increase the capacity of the Appeal Court to address, in a timely manner,...

The Technical Services Unit of the Ministry of Water and Housing is currently looking at new models, to resolve the chronic inner city decay. "The unit has demonstrated its capacity to design solutions to facilitate urban renewal and they will be working closely with the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) on this effort," Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of Water and...

Steps are now being taken to re-brand and reposition the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC). In this regard, its name is to be changed and it will be re-organized in order to increase its technical capabilities and efficiency. "The new Board has commissioned the preparation of a three-year strategic plan and it is envisaged that by the financial year 2010/11,...

Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang has emphasised that the Government, would be adopting a zero tolerance approach to squatting. "This means that from here on in, once we identify new structures going up, they will be demolished," Dr. Chang said, as he made his presentation in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (June...