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The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reporting that there are approximately 2, 296 persons housed in shelters across the island. The ODPEM has also received reports of flooding in the parish of Trelawny as a result of the impact of Hurricane Emily. Flooding has been reported in the following communities: Bottom Town in Clarkes TownWakefieldBunkers HillJones...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has reported minimal damage to agriculture in Hanover as a result of Hurricane Dennis, with only 40 hectares of crops estimated at $1.8 million lost. In his report to the Hanover Parish Council on July 14, Bernard Goffe, RADA Parish Manager for Hanover, said that vegetable farmers suffered $764,000 in losses, damage to condiments...

The Transport Authority, as part of efforts to stamp out lewdness and profanity on public passenger vehicles, has instituted a behaviour change training programme, targeted at students. Speaking at the JIS Think Tank on Wednesday (July 13), Joan Fletcher, Managing Director of the Transport Authority, observed that some of the activities that take place on the buses were just "a...

The Jamaican/United Kingdom (UK) Diaspora has condemned the London terrorist bombings and said it was "distressed" that someone of Jamaican origin was alleged involved in the attacks. The UK Diaspora, in a press release issued on July 15 said: "The Jamaican community in the United Kingdom is distressed to learn through press reports, which, though unconfirmed, allege that someone of...

The government has made $40 million available for the employment of approximately 4,600 secondary and tertiary level students under the 2005 National Youth Service (NYS) Summer Employment Programme. Reverend Adinhair Jones, Executive Director of the NYS, made the announcement at the launching ceremony held on July 14 at Emancipation Park in Kingston. He implored the students to make the best...

Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill on Thursday (July 14) cut the ribbon to officially commission into service, the new south wing of the Sangster International Airport.The project, which was completed ahead of time and within budget, is part of phase one of the five-year airport expansion and modernization project, which started in 2003. Some US$35 million has already...

The Ministry of Health is advising Jamaicans to treat water and practise proper solid waste disposal habits in order to protect against waterborne diseases arising from contaminated supplies in the current unstable weather. Peter Knight, Director of Environmental Health at the Ministry, told JIS News that it was of utmost importance for citizens to ensure that supplies were clean, especially...

The National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) on Thursday (July 14) handed over some $2.8 million in subventions to 46 youth clubs under its Operation Phoenix programme. Director of the NCYD, Ohene Blake, in his remarks at the handing over ceremony held at the Institute of Jamaica downtown Kingston, said the occasion was a historic one, as for the first...

The Ministry of Development is developing a comprehensive 20-year development plan to monitor the various socio-economic investments expected to emerge from the Portmore to Clarendon stretch of Highway 2000. Minister of Development Dr. Paul Robertson made the disclosure during his 2005/06 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament on Tuesday (July 12). Minister Robertson explained that the passage of road would open...

Patrons attending the Denbigh Agricultural Show this year will be given the chance to participate in a treasure hunt, where they will search for clues at various sites at the venue, to win up to $100,000. The treasure hunt is one of several exciting, new features being introduced as part of the event this year, as efforts are being made...

Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill today (July 15), signed two contracts to further the expansion and upgrading of the Norman Manley International Airport. In keeping with the Government's thrust to implement a 20-year three-phased Capital Development Programme at the airport, Tankweld Special Projects was awarded a contract in the sum of $60.6 million for the demolition of existing...

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) will continue normal service until 8:00 p.m. tonight, and has placed a number of its buses on standby to assist in the evacuation of persons from areas threatened by the effects of Hurricane Emily. Speaking with JIS News, Gwyneth Harold, JUTC's Marketing and Public Relations Manager, informed that the company would assist in the...