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A gymnasium has been established at the Ministry of Agriculture's Old Hope Road headquarters, as part of an overall health and wellness programme for staff. Portfolio Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, who opened the facility recently, said that as the organisation with responsibility for the food that nourishes the nation, health management within the Ministry is very important. He noted further...

The first draft of a National Housing Policy should be ready by the end of December. This was announced by Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, while giving the main address at a handing over ceremony for housing solutions, at Water Works, Westmoreland, on December 17. Approximately 98 housing solutions, consisting of housing units and serviced lots, were...

The Correctional Services Department has implemented a tracking system, to monitor inmates in the Conditional Release Programme. The device, worn on the ankle and waist, is used to monitor low risk offenders, who are temporarily released, escorted and unescorted, to be engaged in work release activities and weekend release. This project, which is in its pilot phase, will last for...

The Retrieve All-age School in Westmoreland, has been extensively rehabilitated by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), at a cost of approximately $6 million. The scope of work included the overhaul of the school's roof, painting of the building, provision of new security grills and windows, renovation of the kitchen, and furnishing of all classrooms. As part of the condition...

Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Trade Act, which will allow for fines up to $2 million and a maximum of two years in prison, for persons found in possession of, or attempting to export stolen scrap metal. Also, the fines for disclosure of confidential information under the Act, are to be updated to a maximum of one million...

The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) has offered to assist the Ministry of Transport and Works and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company's (JUTC) efforts to prevent any future breaches of the Government Procurement Procedures Handbook (GPPH), as it relates to the awarding of contracts. This was outlined by Contractor General, Greg Christie, in a letter to Permanent Secretary in...

Hundreds of children were treated by the Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee, on December 14, at the May Pen Police Station, as part of its effort to reach out to members of the public, in keeping with the spirit of sharing for the Christmas season. Superintendent of Police, in charge of the Clarendon Division, Dathan Henry, said the children's treat is...

The Ministry of Education's Region 5, yesterday (Dec. 17), honoured 10 retired educators, who served in various areas of the education system, including at the Ministry. At the award function, which was held at the Mount St. Joseph Preparatory School in Mandeville, Manchester the honourees were lauded for a combined 41 years of service to education. President of the Bethel...

A cheque valued at $200,000, was presented to the Manchester Parish Council, by telecommunications provider, Digicel, on December 16, to help in the Mayor's Christmas programme. Regional Sales Manager with Digicel, Craig Fisher, told JIS News that the money was part of his entity's thrust to build good relations in the Mandeville area. "We know that there are good efforts...

Jamaica's version of the new CARICOM Passport (CP), will be launched in January 2009. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jennifer McDonald, speaking at yesterday's (Dec.17) JIS 'Think Tank', said that the document will bear the CARICOM logo and the words 'Caribbean Community' on the cover. "It will also bear our Coat of Arms...

Jamaica, earlier today (December 18), received US$90 million of the recently agreed US$101 million loan package from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The major loan agreement covering three loans, was signed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, and the Executive Vice President of the IDB, Daniel Zelikow, in Washington, United States, on December 5, 2008. In...

Measures announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, to assist the tourism sector, specifically the hotel industry, in order to ensure sustainability during the global economic crisis, and to save jobs that might be lost, have been well received. In his address to the nation on Sunday, December 14, the Prime Minister said that one of the measure being implemented includes...