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The Government will not be making any hasty announcements of the total financial allocation to be made for hurricane relief and reconstruction efforts, until the extent of the damage is ascertained, and a proper financial assessment is reached. Responding to a call from Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, that the government should immediately implement an emergency fund in light...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has emphasized that there is need for the development of "a policy that has teeth, that will allow for forced removal of persons from selected areas where disasters are threatening". Speaking on the passage of Hurricane Dennis in the House of Representatives on July 12, Mr. Patterson said these measures were taken in other places, such...

The Cabinet Office has given approval for emergency work of up to $4 million to be undertaken by the National Works Agency (NWA) on roads damaged by Hurricane Dennis. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson made the announcement in the House of Representatives on July 12, as he spoke of restoration efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane. For these emergency works,...

Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson has said that JAMPRO would be seeking to attract some $13.3 billion in investment for the 2005/06 fiscal year, in addition to creating some 7,000 jobs. The Development Minister, who was making his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday (July 12), said that this was an improvement over the...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Horace Dalley has called on employers within the private and public sectors to share the national vision of incorporating more disabled persons in the general workforce. "It is only through constant dialogue that we can discuss the integration of disabled persons in the workforce," Minister Dalley said. He was speaking at the launch of...

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has instructed the Ministries of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Land and Environment and Transport and Works to immediately draw up a detailed plan for the evacuation of residents living in communities that are likely to be devastated by Hurricane Emily. The evacuation may start by the latest tomorrow morning if the Hurricane continues...

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, has called Caribbean countries to embrace the PetroCaribe initiative, noting that, "it provided critical support to vulnerable states and provide assistance "for those in our population who are most at risk." The Prime Minister, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (July 13), noted that "the agreement speaks to equality of states...

Drivers or operators of vehicles who breach the provisions outlined in the recently amended Transport Authority and Road Traffic Acts, now face stiffer penalties. "On first conviction, one offence of operating without a road licence, the offender is liable to pay a fine of not less than $20,000 or more than $40,000. On second conviction, he is liable to pay...

In spite of the damage to the bauxite industry by Hurricane Ivan last September, Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson is reporting that the 2004/05 fiscal year was among the best in the more than 53-year history of the industry in Jamaica. This, he said, was due to the basic strength and resilience of a healthier local industry and continued...

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson yesterday (July 12) said that early indications were that flooding and landslides caused by last week's passage of Hurricane Dennis, had affected some 119 populated areas. He was making his presentation in the House of Representatives on the status of the country following the category two hurricane, which impacted the island last Thursday (July 7). Mr....

The Ministry of Finance and Planning will meet with relevant Ministries this week, to prepare submissions to access funding to repair damage to infrastructure as a result of Hurricane Dennis.Cabinet is expected to consider the submissions at its meeting next Monday, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has said, so that the "requisite expenditures can be duly authorized for such variations in...

The 13 emergency shelters, which were opened in Clarendon as a response to the threat of Hurricane Dennis, are now closed. Rohan Blake, Acting Parish Disaster Coordinator at the Clarendon Parish Council told JIS News that the 520 persons, who were housed in the facilities, have returned to their homes. He attributed the quick return to normality to the "proactive...