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Drs. Ouida and Leebert Wright were among five Jamaicans, who recently received the prestigious Harry Jerome Award, presented by the Canadian-based Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). The retired couple received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their accomplishments as educator and scientist, respectively, at the BBPA's 25th annual gala held at the Toronto Congress Centre. The other Jamaicans honoured were:...

Dozens of young persons yesterday (May 3) participated in 'Youth try-a-skill/entrepreneurship fair,' where they were tested and guided into areas of training and potential employment. The event, held at 60 Lady Musgrave Road, was organized by Minister of Education and Youth, Maxine Henry Wilson in collaboration with a number of government skills training agencies. Speaking with JIS News, Mrs. Henry...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies has defended the manner in which discussions were conducted by Mirant Corporation to sell its 80 per cent shareholding in the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), to the Japanese firm, Marubeni. Responding to the Opposition's call for public scrutiny of the negotiations leading to the sale of the JPSCo, the Finance Minister...

A contract valued at $10.7 million, has been signed between the Ministry of Justice and Technology Plus, for the installation of Court Security Systems in courthouses islandwide. Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Ministry's office in Kingston, yesterday (May 3), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Carol Palmer said that, "we will be installing various electronic devices in our courts...

The Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works will be seeking approval from Cabinet to transform the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) into an executive agency this financial year. The move, in addition to the privatization of the Motor Vehicle Inspection services, is expected to change the roles and functions of the ITA and transform it into a more efficient and...

Tuesday, May 8 will be observed as 'Read Across Jamaica Day' as part of a national initiative to promote reading and literacy. Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, read and signed the official proclamation at King's House yesterday (May 3), during a courtesy call by the executive of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), led by president, Hopeton...

Work is progressing on the capacity building aspect of the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), designed to improve the state of the criminal justice system in Jamaica. Trevor Libert, Management Information Systems Co-ordinator, with responsibility for the capacity building component, tells JIS News that this aspect provides for the strengthening of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Department...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is reporting that 21 persons have been issued litter tickets in the first 2 days of its Anti-Litter Pilot Project, which began on Tuesday, May 1. Enforcement and Investigations Administrator at the NSWMA, Opal Davis, told JIS News that since May 1, Enforcement Officers from the NSWMA, along with members of the Jamaica...

The Hanover Fire Brigade has reported some $358 million in property loss as a result of fires in the parish during the first three months of the year, with $2.8 billion at risk. Superintendent of the Hanover Fire Brigade, Morine Thompson, told JIS News that a demonstration at the Fiesta Hotel construction site at Point during the month of February,...

Eleven contestants will vie for the Jamaica Child of the Year title on Saturday, May 5 at the inaugural staging of the competition. The coronation show will be held at the Altamont Court Hotel in Kingston at 3:00 p.m., and is being co-ordinated by Help Our People Excel (HOPE) Production, a non-profit organization that was established in September 2006. Executive...

A Variation Order facilitating the construction of the Mt. Rosser Bypass from Linstead to Moneague was signed at Jamaica House this afternoon (May 3) between the Government of Jamaica and Trans Jamaica/Bouygues Construction Company. Work on the J$7 Billion roadway will commence in June and should be completed over a 30 month period. On Tuesday (May 1) during her contribution...

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Don McGlashan, has pledged the Ministry's commitment to providing safe food and addressing food safety concerns. "With our private and public sector counterparts, we intend to provide safe food for citizens, visitors and the export market," he stated at a Food Safety Forum held yesterday (May 2) at the Terra...