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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...

Portland Health Department is advising residents of flood-affected areas of the parish to treat drinking water to prevent water borne disease. Valerie McLeary, Health Educator for the Department, has said that a number of supply systems have been compromised due to the passage of Hurricane Dennis. The affected communities are White Hall, Mount Vernon, Section, Cascade, Middletown, Bangor Ridge, Lennox,...

The Trelawny Parish Disaster Committee is carrying out assessments to ascertain the level of damage in the parish as a result of Hurricane Dennis. Parish Disaster Coordinator, Dion Hylton, told JIS News that the northern section of the parish suffered the worst effects of the hurricane, with flooding reported in areas such as Logwood Valley and Bunkers Hill. There have...

Parish Manager for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Clarendon, Delroy Palmer said yesterday (July 12), that the hurricane damage assessment has begun. "Five teams of representatives from Clarendon's Welfare Committee have already been dispatched to the communities of Portland Cottage, Rocky Point, Mitchell Town, Kemps Hill, Banks, Kennedy Grove and Palmer's Cross," Mr. Palmer told JIS News...

Jamaicans with disabilities are to be provided with opportunities to improve their employability skills, while employers will be sensitised about the benefits of hiring these persons, when Enable 2005 begins today (July 13) at the Chinese Benevolent Society in Kingston. According to State Minister for Labour and Social Security, Senator Floyd Morris, the employment fair was organised against the background...

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has forwarded a resolution to the Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport for the provision of a dedicated fund for the cleaning of drains and gullies in the corporate area and all other parish councils. Addressing the KSAC monthly press briefing at the Council's Church Street offices, yesterday (July 12), Mayor...

Some 300 students from the parishes of St. James and Hanover, who are slated to benefit under the National Youth Service (NYS) Summer Employment Programme, participated in an orientation exercise yesterday (July 12) at the St. John's Methodist Church Hall in Montego Bay. The exercise was scheduled for last week, but was postponed due to the passage of Hurricane Dennis.Under...