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Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, has said that the government intends to enforce the law against delinquent parents whom, he said, need to be more accountable for the way in which they parent their children. "The land has laws against delinquent parenting and where we identify breaches, we intend to enforce the law," Mr. Holness said as he addressed the...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Fund (NHF), Rae Barrett, has said that diabetes is one of the most costly health conditions in Jamaica. He said that to date, the NHF has provided more than $351.8 million in drug subsidy for persons with diabetes and $44.5 million for supplies, which include syringes, lancets and test strips. Mr. Barrett...

National Security minister Derrick Smith this afternoon officially opened the Sligoville Police station. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister thanked the Chinese government for working with the Jamaican government to establish the facility which is part of the Sligoville Sports Complex. He also commended the former Member of Parliament, K.D. Knight for the effort he made to get the...

Magita Forbes of White Horses in St. Thomas is happier now that she has access to sanitation in her home and now that her roof has been replaced. "I'm very glad. It's a great help," she said. Ms. Forbes, who is physically challenged, received financial assistance from the White Horses, Botany Bay & Pamphret Development Benevolent Society (WBP/DBS) to build...

Jamaican-born Rev. Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, has been appointed a Commissioner of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the United Kingdom (UK). Set up under the Equity Act of 2006, the Commission will work towards eliminating discrimination, reducing inequality, protecting human rights and building good relations. The body, which came into being on...

Youth leaders from across the island on (Nov.12) mooted a number of issues affecting young people in the society at the fifth National Youth Parliament held at Gordon House. Among the issues raised and debated by the 46 youth leaders were: sex crimes, protecting the rights of the child, improving education, societal violence and attitudes to Jamaica's ancestral history. They...

The US$50.6 million Soapberry wastewater treatment project in St. Catherine is on track for a January 2008 completion date, with the project now in the testing phase. Project Manager Lloyd Grey, explained to JIS News that the process involves the loading of the treatment ponds with river water to check for strength and leaks and "for testing the load factor...

Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, has said that the government will be revitalizing the Neighbourhood Watch and police youth club programmes to build better relations between police and civilians and reduce crime and violence. "As an administration, the government commits itself to continue to work with the neighbourhood watch organization and we intend to strengthen community efforts by way...

Cabinet has approved $280 million to carry out a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the crime-fighting capability of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, speaking at (Nov. 13) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said that $100 million of the sum will be used to effect urgent repairs to several police stations that were...

Cabinet has approved the appointment of board directors and chairpersons for several agencies that fall under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. This was disclosed by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, at the (Nov. 13), post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House. The board chairpersons are: stockbroker, Ed McKie, Trade Board; Entrepreneur, Gassan Azan, Jamaica Trade...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, has said that stakeholders within the scrap metal industry have welcomed the new regulations to monitor and regulate the trade, which were tabled in the House of Representatives recently. "The genuine players are not seen as being part of a 'bandoloo' industry, so they welcome it at all levels. We have had...

The government will be spending millions of dollars to undertake major improvement works on a number of National Water Commission (NWC)-operated systems in western Portland, to improve service to residents. These are the Fruitful Vale, Dunbar/Warsaw, Lancaster, Mount Pleasant and Swift River supply systems. Minister of State for Water and Housing, Everald Warmington, during a recent tour of the water...