More

Critical to the productivity and development of any economy, is the existence of an efficient, affordable and predictable transportation system, said Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill. The Transport Minister, who was addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, stated that the government was committed to providing such a system for the Jamaican people. Part of the process includes the...

The Ministry of Health is encouraging mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of their lives. Over the years, there has been a decline in breastfeeding for a myriad of reasons, including the cessation of extensive breastfeeding campaigns; mothers, who are young themselves not passing on the importance of breastfeeding to their expectant daughters; and the...

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, said yesterday (Sept. 16) that the Ministry was in the final stages of completing the tender process to begin construction of a new maximum-security facility in Jamaica. "Shortly, we expect to take to Cabinet the results of that tender process and I expect in the very near future, we will be able to start...

Chairman of the G77 and China, and Jamaica's Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson has called for an end to aid conditionalities and the use of unilateral coercive measures against developing countries. He was speaking in New York on Saturday (Sept. 17), at the opening session of the 60th Annual General Assembly of the United Nations. He said the...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has stated that the United Nations should not allow its mandate to be usurped, but that a reformed UN should give priority focus to development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. He said the United Nations was established to bring peace and security to the world and play a major role in promoting development....

Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa in Eastern Westmoreland, has intensified its energy conservation drive, with the staging of its first 'Energy Expo' at the property. The Expo, which was aimed at sensitizing both hotel staff and citizens across the parish on the importance of conserving and using less energy, saw several community groups including schools and churches, receiving energy-saving...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is working closely with the farmers of Portland to boost coco production in the parish. RADA Parish Manager for Portland, Crawford Clarke, told JIS News that the thrust was being carried out under the Ministry of Agriculture's Domestic Food Crop and Marketing Project, which aims to increase production for domestic and export markets. He...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Noel Donaldson, has lauded the city's achievements over the past 25 years, which include significant development in infrastructure and considerable growth in commerce and tourism. He cited the Montego Bay Free Zone, Sangster International Airport, Howard Cooke Highway, the development of Montego Bay South and the resilience of the Western Mirror, "as landmarks of which...

Seventeen young men from communities in Kingston and St Andrew and St. Catherine, who were deemed to be at risk, are now on the path to a brighter future, having successfully completed the three-week Possibility Programme, held at the Jamaica Defence Force Newcastle base in St. Andrew. "Believe in yourselves", "set your goals high" and "take pride in yourselves" were...

Some 23 sports clubs and associations across the island have benefited from donations of cash and sporting goods valued at approximately $12.8 million. Beneficiary groups included the Jamaica Swimming Association, which received the lion's share of $2 million; Jamaica Rugby Association, Jamaica Surfing Association, Jamaica Badminton Association, Jamaica Volleyball Association, Jamaica Bobsleigh Association and the Jamaica Women's Cricket Association. Among...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is reporting a significant increase in its operational efficiencies as a result of several initiatives pursued during the financial year. In its annual 2004/05 report laid before the House of Representatives on Tuesday (Sept.13), the Trust said the establishment of a special unit at the Titles Office of the National Land Agency to register its...

Breastfeeding week will be observed from September 18 to 24 and the National Launch of "Breastfeeding Week 2005" along with a Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) staged Health Expo, is slated to take place at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, in Montego Bay, on Monday, September 19. The activities, which will be held under the theme, "Breastfeeding and Family Foods: Loving...