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The Ministry of Land and Environment and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) today (Feb.16) signed a memorandum of understanding to extend until 2007, provisions under the Environment Action Programme (ENACT). Initially established in 1994 with funding of CDN$15 million from the governments of Canada and Jamaica, ENACT is geared towards strengthening the ability of the government, the private sector...

Some 45 farmers from Green Island, Hanover yesterday (Feb.15) benefited from an organic farming workshop organized by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). The workshop, which was held on the grounds of the Harding Hall Basic School, forms part of a series of training days being held across the parish to expose farmers to the various aspects of agricultural production,...

As the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continues to offer assistance to residents living in flood prone areas of Montego Bay, a community meeting was held recently at the Rosemount Housing Scheme in St. James. During the meeting, residents were informed about the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-funded Flood Warning System, which targets communities surrounding the north...

A cyber club, equipped with 10 new computers and associated technologies, was opened in the Flankers community of St. James on Tuesday (Feb.15).The facility, located at the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre on Morning View Drive, is sponsored by Cable and Wireless Jamaica Foundation (CWJF), Microsoft Jamaica Limited and the Dispute Resolution Foundation. CWJF procured and installed the computers, while...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn, will be honoured by the Miramar City Commission on February 23, at a ceremony to be held at the Miramar City Hall. Jamaican-born, Miramar City Commissioner, George Pedlar, told JIS News that Senator Franklyn was being recognized for his outstanding role in support of Jamaican...

A five-day Health workshop is presently underway at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, in Montego Bay. It is aimed at improving the regional approach to the treatment and care of Tuberculosis (TB), through the upgrading of the knowledge and skills of managers and coordinators of TB programmes across the region. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health...

Consul General to Miami, Ricardo Allicock is appealing to Jamaicans in Florida, to continue contributions to the Tsunami Relief Fund, which was launched to assist in the recovery efforts in countries in Asia and Africa, which were impacted by the disaster. Deposits can be made to the Jamaica Consulate Tsunami Relief Fund at any branch of Wachovia Bank, account number...

Jamaican born educator, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, has been appointed President of York College of the City University of New York (CUNY). She will take up her new position at the Jamaica, Queen's campus, moving from the Bronx Community College, another CUNY facility, where she was Vice President of Academic Affairs since l997. York College is a degree-granting University with...

The resort town of Ocho Rios is reporting high cruise ship passenger figures, with arrivals recorded at 80,000 for January and another 80,000 expected for February. Manager of the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Terminal, Dennis Richards, told JIS News that the high figures should continue into March with 85,000 passengers expected.He noted that the impressive figures followed from last December,...

A contract valued at $8.5 million was signed on February 11 between the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and contractors, D. Bisasor & Associates to expand the Mount Liberty All-age School in Clarendon. Managing Director of JSIF, Scarlette Gillings, who signed for the Fund, emphasized the need to have the work "properly done, on time and within the budget".The agreement...

Persons living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica are having most of their human rights violated in one way or the other, said Dr. Yitades Gebre, senior medical officer and executive director of the Jamaica HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project in the Ministry of Health.The senior medical officer said the Ministry has been receiving "numerous reports" of discrimination against HIV/AIDS victims, with...

A Bill to amend three pieces of legislation paving the way for the introduction of the electronic voter identification and ballot issuing system into the island's electoral process is to be brought before the parliament. Making the disclosure at yesterday's (Mon. Feb.14) post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman said the proposed amendments to the...