The Government has allocated $70 million to the Essex Valley Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme, which aims to assist in the achievement of food security and the modernisation of the agricultural sector. This is contained in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditures now before the House of Representatives. The objectives of this project, being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Growth and...

Cabinet has approved the award of a contract in the amount of US$426,997.98 to Stanley Consultants Inc. for the provision of consultancy services for the Rio Cobre Basin Water Resources Study. Details are provided in a Cabinet Ministry Paper tabled in the House of Representatives on December 6. The document states that the consulting firm will be undertaking a hydrogeological...

The National Works Agency (NWA) is undertaking phase-three upgrading works on the North Gully in St. James. Community Relations Officer for the NWA’s Western Region, Janel Ricketts, said the works, being carried out at cost of $4 million, involve the demolition of a section of the gully and the construction of a larger capacity concrete ‘U’ drain. They are expected...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the revitalisation of downtown Kingston is critical to the process of attracting more investments in the country, which will ultimately lead to greater economic growth. “By relocating specific government offices to downtown Kingston, such as the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry, we are...

Construction industry stakeholders are being urged to engage in sustainable development practices that will support the Government’s commitment to provide adequate and affordable housing solutions for all Jamaicans. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, made the call at the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) launch of Engineers’ Week 2016 at...

The National Water Commission (NWC) has signed a US$1-million grant agreement with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to help fund a one-year energy efficiency and renewable energy project. The objective of the initiative is to improve energy efficiency at the NWC’s operations. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace...

All critical repairs and construction being undertaken at schools will be completed before the start of the new academic year. At a back-to-school press conference at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston on August 31, Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid said $750 million is being used to effect repairs at 190 schools. He said $70 million has...