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Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has lauded the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for its contribution to national security and professed the government's commitment to the modernization of the force in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review. "Let me make it clear that this administration is firmly convinced of the relevance of the JDF to the security and wellbeing...

With Jamaica taking on the lead role in coordinating security arrangements for World Cup Cricket 2007, Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has said that the country was fully prepared to handle the task. "We are confident that we are prepared in Jamaica, to accept the responsibilities as far as the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 is concerned",...

Minister of National Security, Peter Phillips, has said that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Air Wing will receive some much-needed equipment by the end of the year. While not revealing the type of equipment to be provided and at what cost, Dr. Phillips stated that the move was a testament of the government's commitment to the organization and was in...

Minister of State for Finance and Planning and Member of Parliament for Southern St. Catherine, Fitz Jackson, has said that he would be embarking on a drive to encourage parents in the parish to register their children's births. This comes against the background of St. Catherine having 1,300 unregistered births, which is the fifth highest in the country. According to...

In order to meet the expected demand for School Resource Officers (SROs) come September, the Safe Schools Secretariat will be training an additional 30 police personnel, bringing the total number of SROs to 144. The police will be trained in school safety planning, informed Chairman of the Safe Schools Secretariat, Lieutenant Colonel Oral Khan. He told JIS News that the...

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Linval Bailey, has said that fostering positive relationship between the security force and young people was fundamental for the creation of safe communities and for the sustainable development of the nation. "This is even more critical when we look at the state that our country has reached. Our country has reached a point in its...

The board of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has approved some $50 million for the beautification and upgrading of three of the island's landmarks and heritage tourist sites. Executive Director of the TEF, Ian Neita, told JIS News that of the sum, $25 million would go towards upgrading works at National Heroes Park;$20 million to Devon House, while $4.8 million...

Consul General to Miami, Ricardo Allicock, has described national hero, Marcus Garvey as a trailblazer and visionary, who reached out to migrant workers throughout his travels, and galvanized Jamaicans wherever he went. The Consul General was speaking at the 119th anniversary celebrations of the birth of the national hero held on August 17 at the Florida Atlantic University Auditorium in...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier has announced that by year end, some $1 billion would be invested in the small business sector from the National Insurance Fund. This would be done in an effort to enhance small and micro businesses across Jamaica, and at the same time, to make loans available to these entrepreneurs at lower interest...

As the Jamaican medals accumulate at the 11th International Association of Athletics Federations (I.A.A.F) World Junior Championship which was held in Beijing, China from August 15 to 20, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has congratulated the young athletes on their performance. In a statement on August 18, Mrs. Simpson Miller said, "Whether it's juniors or seniors, Jamaican athletes continue to...

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is projecting that by year end, the Registrar of the Children's Registry will be recruited. Director of Policy Planning and Evaluation at the CDA, Audrey Budhi, told JIS News that the agency was looking to fast track the process in order to have both the Registrar and staff in place by December. She explained that...

More parents are registering their children's births, leading to a decline in non-registration from 1.7 per cent to 0.13 per cent over the seven-year period from 1998 to 2005. "We have reduced the number of births that go unregistered from 881 in 1998 to 60 in 2005, so we have moved from 1.7 per cent of unregistered births within a...