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The 2004/06 heads of agreement between the Government of Jamaica and the United District Constables Association, was signed at the Ministry of Finance and Planning this morning (Nov. 21). Under the agreement, the district constables will receive some of the provisions accorded to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) earlier this month, including a one off payment of $50,000, a $50,000...

Jamaica and her sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations, like most small developing states, have over the past few years been buffeted by the winds of rapid globalization characterized by increased world market competitiveness as a result of liberalization and greater market deregulation. Currently, the traditional preferential trading arrangements with the United Kingdom (UK) and the European community from which Caribbean...

Did you know that it is not unusual for up to 10 per cent of the general population to suffer from major depressive disorders at some point in their lives? In light of this fact, the Ministry of Health is actively detecting and treating the various forms of mental illnesses in the society, through its continued activities to upgrade mental...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson left the island yesterday (Sunday, Nov. 20) for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, which will be held under the theme "Networking the Commonwealth for Development." As the theme suggests, the Summit is expected to afford Member States the opportunity to discuss the important issue of bridging the digital divide and identify ways to...

The St. Thomas Parish Council has received $1 million from the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport to clean blocked drains and to repair damaged roads and potholes in that parish. Several roads were damaged and there were numerous land slippages as a result of recent flood rains associated with Hurricane Wilma. Secretary Manager of the Parish Council,...

In further fulfillment of its mandate as a repository of Jamaican history and culture, the National Library of Jamaica is intensifying its efforts to get publishers to comply with the specifications of the Legal Deposit Act. The Act, which was passed in 2002, came into operation on October 11 last year when its governing regulations were put in place. Acquisitions...

The Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreements) Act to pave the way for the implementation of a structured plea bargaining process in the justice system was yesterday (November18) approved by the Senate. The provision commonly referred to as the Plea Bargaining Bill, is designed to give statutory recognition to plea negotiations and agreements some five years after it was first...

Prime Minister P.J Patterson and a technical team is expected to meet with Mayor of Portmore, George Lee and his delegation from the Portmore Municipal Council to iron out several concerns raised by residents, and arrive at mutually acceptable solutions. Mayor Lee said the meeting, the date which is to be set, will discuss several issues raised at a private...

To avoid delays during the Yuletide season the Jamaica Customs Department is strongly advising travellers to adhere to some simple guidelines. Speaking with JIS News, Public Relations Manager at Jamaica Customs, Naomi Goulbourne-Rodney recommended that prior to travelling persons who know exactly what they want to import should contact the Customs Department to ascertain the procedure for importing goods, to...

Industry and Tourism Minister, Aloun Ndombet Assamba recently met with Jamaicans in Leicester, England, where she informed them of the positive developments taking place in the country, including the unprecedented levels of investment in tourism. "We have been able as a country, to attract a level of investment at this particular time in our history that is unprecedented. We have...

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has emphasized the view that the war on crime could be won with the redirection of the state's resources to target the kingpins of criminality. He expressed the view while speaking at the National Crime Forum, which was recently held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. In his statement, Dr. Phillips said the warfare...

Parish Councils are projected to collect a total of $225 million in building and subdivision fees at the end of the 2005/06 financial year. This represents a significant leap from the $250,000, which was received by all Councils in 1992/93 financial year. Keith Miller, Consultant on Local Government Reform in the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport identified...