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Governments in the region are intensifying their efforts to promote safety and security in the maritime sector with a view to protecting the region's ports from possible acts of terrorism. Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill told JIS News, that governments attending the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative (WHTI) held recently in Rio de Janeiro,...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is undertaking a review of the legislative framework in which the national statistics system operates, and members of the public are being invited to contribute to the process. A Green Paper titled 'Quality Statistics - An Imperative for Jamaica' was tabled in the House of Representatives earlier this week, which looks at the recommendations...

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mark Shields has called on Jamaicans to join in the fight against crime and violence. DCP Shields, who was addressing a press conference at the Police Commissioner's Office in Kingston yesterday (Sept.15), said that the effort to reduce crime, including murders and shootings, was not the sole responsibility of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). "We...

The Upper House today (Sept.16), gave its assent to a Bill authorizing the actions of and indemnifying Judges, Resident Magistrates, Justices, Clerks of the Court and other persons who continued to hear and determine charges against persons under the age of 17 years, after the Juveniles Act was repealed. Minister of Justice and Attorney General Senator A. J. Nicholson said...

"The US Travel Channel feature, "Jamaica: The Ultimate Tour" is sure to bring world attention to Jamaica as a vacation destination of choice and boosts the island's tourist industry", says Tourism Director Paul Pennicook. The special television feature, which is scheduled for airing on Thursday, September 15 at 9:00 p.m. local time, will showcase the various attractions and cultural elements...

A motion for the appointment of a select committee to examine the operations of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) to determine whether they are consistent with the country's energy requirements and the interest of Jamaican consumers has been placed before the Lower House. Member of Parliament for St. James West Central, Clive Mullings, who raised the motion during yesterday's...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has called on world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York to send a message of hope to the millions of people around the world that are still living in poverty. Mr. Patterson who was making his contribution to the High Level Plenary of the UNGA on Thursday (Sept. 15), said that five...

Hundreds of Jamaican hotel workers who returned to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the United States (US) could soon find themselves back in the US under the Jamaican government's Overseas Hotel Work Programme. Public Relations Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Gerry McDaniel, told JIS News that up to Tuesday (September 12) some...

Just one year since its official opening, the Irwin Primary School in St. James is fast earning a reputation as a quality institution, with numerous requests from parents for placement of their children. The institution opened its doors in September 2004 with 456 students and now accommodates approximately 700 students, with the hope of reaching its full capacity of 1,050...

Chairman of the Banana Export Company (BECO), Dr. Marshall Hall has proposed that banana farmers consider the possibility of paying an increase on their insurance cess, in order to cushion any financial losses they might incur in the event of a hurricane. Dr. Hall, who was speaking yesterday (Sept. 14) at BECO's annual general meeting told the farmers, "one of...

It will cost the Portmore Municipal Council close to $200,000 to effect repairs to the major roads in the municipality, which were damaged due to protest action on Monday, September 5. The damage was caused from the lighting of fires in the roads, the dragging of heavy debris across the surface to mount blockages, and the removal of such debris...

Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Collin Bullock, has said that systematic and disciplined management and monitoring of public funds was not only urgent but fundamental, if the programmed fiscal balance for 2005/06 and eventually regaining fiscal surpass, was to be realized. Mr. Bullock who was addressing the Government of Jamaica Internal Auditors Symposium 2005 held at...