I received today, the resignation of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, the Honourable Richard Azan. I have accepted his resignation. I wish to place on record our thanks to him for his hard work and commitment to improving the lives of the people during his tenure. Portia Simpson Miller Prime Minister

Jamaica is supportive of the positive developments which have occurred in relation to the situation in Syria and calls on all parties involved to move towards quick implementation of the Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons agreed by the USA and Russia. Jamaica has always advocated for a resolution of the situation in Syria through dialogue and consultation. The...

    REMARKS BY SEN. HON. SANDREA FALCONER, MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (INFORMATION) OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE GOVERNMENT-NGO DIALOGUE: TOWARDS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 AT 9AM KNUTSFORD COURT HOTEL, RUTHVEN ROAD, KINGSTON   SALUTATION:  Madam Chair Visiting Colleagues  I...

In 2009, Jamaica had the third highest homicide rate in the  world, at 63/100,000. The rate fell markedly after the Tivoli operation, to just over 40/100,000. In 2012 there was a 4% reduction in murders relative to 2011 and for the first half of 2013 there was a 6% reduction in murders relative to the first half of 2012. However,...

Mrs. Siti Oussein, Deputy Director, United Nations Population Fund Sub Regional Office Superintendent Gladys Brown, Superintendent of Police, CISOCA Detective Sergeant Kirk James Dr. Sheryl-Mae Burke, Medical Officer and Trainer of Sexual Assault Mrs. Faith Webster, Executive Director, Bureau of Women’s Affairs   Gender based violence and sexual assault of our women and girls and increasingly of our boys continue...

1.   This Honourable House is aware that I led a delegation on an official visit to the People's Republic of China during the period 20th – 25thAugust 2013. 2.   Minister Omar Davies will be making a statement in this Honourable House this afternoon on the issues concerning Goat Island and the mega project involving a trans-shipment port and other industrial facilities....

(1) Mr. Speaker, you would have been aware of the concerns raised through the various public media and other fora about potential environmental risks to the proposed Chinese investment in the Goat Islands and greater Portland Bight Protected Area. Indeed, the Cabinet and the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing have been giving consideration to these issues and have been...

The Ministry of Health can confirm that seven (7) cases of tuberculosis were identified among persons who were remanded in Police Lock-Ups in the KSA between January-August 2013. Investigations so far reveal that the infections are unlikely to have been acquired in lockups but rather in their communities of origin. The public can be assured that active cases are being...