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To improve its service delivery as well as ensure greater operational efficiency, the Health Ministry, since the new administration took office on September 11, established a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry and the Regional Health Authorities, to spearhead a quality agenda. A seven-member committee was also established to examine and review the work and performance of the island's four...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has expressed shock and outrage at the assassination of Pakistan Opposition Leader, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. In a statement today, the Prime Minister recalled that the deteriorating situation in Pakistan was the cause of considerable concern and discussion at last month's Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kampala. The decision was ultimately taken to suspend Pakistan from...

A major assignment of the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, after the new administration came to office on September 11, was his maiden address at the opening of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York in October. At that forum, he challenged the world body...

In keeping with the Government's commitment to ensure that all Jamaicans have access to education, and that tuition would be free at the secondary level, parents who paid these fees before the administration came to power on September 11, began receiving their refunds in November. Minister of Education, Andrew Holness had announced in the middle of September that all parents...

In an attempt to address the issue of drug abuse, a court to deal specifically with certain drug abuse offenders has been introduced in two locations in Kingston and in Montego Bay. The court represents a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Justice and Health and forms part of the overall Drug Court Rehabilitation Programme, which was launched in 2001....

Transport and Works Minister, Mike Henry, has said the government intended to fully develop the island's air and seaport operations, as they were essential to the country's national and economic development. "The air and seaport operations of Jamaica have played an integral part in the life of this country, and indeed an important part in national economic development. I am...

The first 100 days in office were hectic but chock-full of achievements for Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, as she carried out the Ministry's multi-faceted portfolio, which also include gender issues. Minister Grange, speaking at a stakeholder's meeting organized by the Bureau of Women's Affairs in November, informed that the government is moving to implement a...

Since the new Government took over on September 11, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented a number of initiatives for the recovery of the sector, which was severely impacted by the passage of Hurricane Dean in August. The sector suffered an estimated loss of $3.7 billion, with domestic crops accounting for $904 million. High on the agenda was the distribution...

Edmund Bartlett took up his appointment as Minister of Tourism on September, and he eagerly took to the task of promoting, developing and enhancing the country's tourism product. The first order of business was a mini trade show at the Half Moon Hotel in Rose Hall, St. James in September, where 80 travel agents from 10 gateways in the United...

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Audley Shaw, signalled at the start of the new administration's term in office, in September, that the Ministry's focus would be managing the fiscal affairs of the country in a prudent manner. This, he noted, would be done in a way that prioritised achieving higher levels of economic growth, coupled with a greater level...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has outlined the government's schedule for the divestment of the sugar industry, which should culminate in June 2008 with the handing over of assets to the new owners. He said the government would be taking all the necessary steps to protect the interest of the workers in the industry in particular, and of Jamaica...

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said the recent decision by the Government to permit duty free importation on chicken meat during the Christmas season, should alleviate any possible shortage of the commodity. Dr. Tufton, who was speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, added that this action, however, might not be able to prevent a price increase. "It...