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Prime Minister Patterson has responded to Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bruce Golding's letter of October 9, 2005 requesting that Mr. Patterson informs him of directions that were given to the Chief of Staff regarding the operational use of the Jamaica Defence Force. In his response, the Prime Minister said that his instruction was identical to that which has been...

Outgoing Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Jamaica Limited, Dr. Vincent Lawrence has said the airline was far healthier financially and operationally than the Air Jamaica his team took over in December 2004. Speaking at a Press Conference to announce the new Air Jamaica Board yesterday (October 19), at the Ministry of Finance at Heroes Circle Offices,...

New President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Jamaica Limited, Michael Conway has said that the national carrier could return to being a reliable and competitive airline, providing on-time service. "The airline can get back to where I know it was with reliable, on-time service. I'm confident that this and the support from Jamaicans can make the airline compete...

The National Works Agency (NWA) will be increasing its disaster mitigation activities over the upcoming months. NWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ivan Anderson speaking at the weekly JIS Think Tank session at the Agency's Half Way Tree Road Offices yesterday (Oct.19) said this response was further spurred by the many lessons learnt over the active hurricane season and the heavy...

The Early Childhood Commission is to conduct the first national survey of the number of basic schools and students in the island as it seeks to develop a national profile of the early childhood education system. Speaking in London recently, Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Maureen Samms-Vaughn said the survey would begin later this month. "What we have to do...

Regional National Training Agencies (NTAs) have bonded together to form an umbrella grouping, known as the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA). This is to ensure a uniformed level of certified skilled labour under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), which is expected to be fully implemented by 2008. Formed in 2003, CANTA has established a regional certification...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke will be visiting Canada from October 21-25, to attend and deliver the main address at the Jamaica (Ottawa) Community Heroes Day Banquet. During his absence, the Very Rev. Canon The Hon. Weeville Gordon, CD, Custos of Kingston, will serve as the Deputy Governor-General. The Governor-General will be accompanied by his Aide-de-Camp,...

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie today (October 20), accepted an invitation to visit the municipality of Shenzhen in China from that city's Vice Mayor, Chen Yingchun. The visit would be made to strengthen ties between the two cities, and Mayor McKenzie pointed out that he might travel to the Asian city as soon as January of next year. Mayor...

Correctional Services Week was officially launched today at the offices of the Department of Correctional Services, in downtown Kingston, with Commissioner of Corrections, Major Richard Reese noting that this year marked 30 years since the amalgamation of three entities - the prisons, probation services and approved schools. The week will be observed from Sunday, October, 23 to Saturday, October 29....

Landowners or those in possession of land can now submit changes and update their information on the Valuation Roll at all Inland Revenue Collectorates islandwide. Speaking with JIS News, Commissioner of Land Valuations, Pearl Piccott said this latest initiative was another of the National Land Agency's (NLA) efforts "to reach the customer from as many points as possible." The Collectorates...

Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry Wilson has said that Jamaicans must become more attuned to the various technologies that are being used within the education and business environments, if "we are to remain competitive in the global environment". Mrs. Henry Wilson was speaking at the launch of the 2005 'Edu Vision' Conference, yesterday (October 19), at the...

Fire Safety Awareness Week will be observed from October 23 to 29, under the theme - 'Fire Prevention: A Collective Effort'. Senior Deputy Superintendent of Fire Prevention, Rupert Francis, told JIS News that the week would involve a number of activities designed to raise awareness in children and adults, on how to exercise diligence in avoiding tragic situations. He added...