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Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has cited the existence of an appropriate legislative framework and an efficient, transparent, accessible and fair criminal justice system, as important elements in securing gains made in the fight against crime. Dr. Phillips, who opened the 2006/07 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday (May 30) said that also critical to the process, was...

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has reported a "significant decline" in most major crime categories this year when compared to the corresponding period in 2005. Minister Phillips, who was delivering the opening presentation in the 2006/2007 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on May 30, said murders have declined by 21 per cent in comparison to the previous year. He...

A new policy is to be promulgated to provide for more stringent vetting of individuals entering the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the basic level. Addressing a post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at the Ministry on Oxford Road in Kingston today (May 31) National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips said the policy, which will guide the recruitment process, would ensure that...

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has assured that the highest level of security would be provided for all visitors for the duration of the ICC World Cup Cricket 2007. He was addressing a post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at the Ministry's Oxford Road offices today (May 31). Dr. Phillips informed that a major focus of the efforts of the Jamaica...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said that the human rights of all Jamaicans must be protected, but that the protection of the rights of children is paramount. She was speaking to government lawyers assigned to the Attorney General's Chambers at their annual staff retreat held in Ocho Rios on the weekend. Mrs. Simpson Miller said Jamaica had achieved success in...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has restated the government's support for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). She said the maintenance of a military force was a necessary insurance against threats to the country's sovereignty and viability. Mrs. Simpson Miller was speaking on Friday (May 26) at the annual Victoria Cross Dinner hosted by the Jamaica Defence Force at Up Park...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was yesterday (Monday, May 29), conferred with the honour of the Order of the Nation by Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Order of the Nation, the Hon. Mr. Justice Lensley Wolfe, at an investiture ceremony held at King's House. In her response, Mrs. Simpson Miller said she accepted the honour with humility and on...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, has said that the new public sector Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to be signed this afternoon (May 30), would provide for the retraining of workers to create a "leaner, more efficient public sector". "The government takes its commitment to do retraining and retooling and to provide a workforce, which is consistent with a...

Jamaican icon, Mary Seacole, will be among 10 Britons to be honoured in a new series of Royal Mail stamps to be issued this summer. The stamps, which will commemorate the National Portrait Gallery's 150th anniversary, will also feature William Shakespeare, Virginia Wolf, Winston Churchill, and T.S. Elliot. The only known portrait of the Jamaican born nurse went on display...

Minister of Agriculture and Land, Roger Clarke, announced today (May 30), that the Ministry has earmarked $200 million to assist farmers across the island to carry out high-yielding, competitive projects. Speaking at the launch of the National Consultation Workshop on Food and Nutrition Security and Vulnerability Profiling at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, Minister Clarke said these projects are...

Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill, has said that the government is developing a National Housing Policy, which will provide all Jamaicans with access to affordable, safe and legal housing solutions. Mr. Pickersgill made the announcement as he addressed the opening of the Caribbean Associations of Housing Finance Institutions conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, in Montego...

Some 70,000 tonnes of cement are expected to arrive in the island by June for distribution by six private sector companies, in an effort to relieve the slump in the construction industry caused by a shortage of the product. Information Minister, Senator Colin Campbell, who made the disclosure during a post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston on...