Jamaicans witnessed another true gem of a moment in the country's political history on Tuesday (January 18) when Edward Phillip George Seaga bade farewell to more than four decades of a stellar career as Leader of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and Member of Parliament for Western Kingston. Gordon House was redolent with the memories of his endeavours, which...

The delivery of Early Childhood education in Portland has been significantly boosted through the work of the Culture, Health, Arts and Education Fund (CHASE), which has been financing the development and expansion of a number of such institutions in the parish during the past year. Since beginning operations in January 2003, CHASE has expended approximately J$7.5M to refurbish and expand...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies tabled the First Supplementary estimates for the financial year 2004/05 in the House of Representatives on December 7, increasing the budget by $3.394 billion, up from $328.15 billion to $331.55 billion. The recurrent sum has been increased by $2.487 billion and the capital by $1.378 billion. The figures reveal that some $300...

Thank you for your gracious welcome and generous introduction. As one who was involved in the Miami Conference at Ministerial level from the very beginning, I am pleased to contribute some reflections and perspectives to this distinguished gathering of Heads and Ministers of; representatives of the public sector, labour and the business community, academics and our critical social partners as...

Some 300,000 Primary school students islandwide are set to benefit from a donation of US$225,000 worth of Math textbooks under the I PLEDGE programme. The initiative, 'I Promise to Lend Encouragement to Develop Growth in Education', launched in May of 2004, with the aim of raising US$225,000 for the printing of Math textbooks for Primary school students up to grade...

A paediatric patient in Mandeville is being examined by a doctor who is in Montego Bay. Meanwhile, in upper St. Andrew, a 76-year old hypertensive man is receiving his monthly check-up at home. But, his doctor is in an office somewhere downtown Kingston. These cases, though fictitious, offer examples of telemedicine, which has emerged as the new paradigm in health...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to make my contribution to the 2004/05 Sectoral Debate in a mood of great confidence in our future as a people, faith in our policies and programmes and pride in our accomplishments as an administration working in the spirit of joined-up government and partnership with the private sector. I must say thanks to the great team...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to make my contribution to the 2004/05 Sectoral Debate in a mood of great confidence in our future as a people, faith in our policies and programmes and pride in our accomplishments as an administration working in the spirit of joined-up government and partnership with the private sector. I must say thanks to the great team...

The Pensions Reform (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act 2004 was passed in the House of Representatives yesterday (May 11), with 48 amendments, and has been sent to the Senate for debate. Fitz Jackson, State Minister for Finance and Planning with responsibility for pensions, said the legislative side of the Bill should be completed within the next couple of weeks,...

The Pensions Reform (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act 2004 was passed in the House of Representatives yesterday (May 11), with 48 amendments, and has been sent to the Senate for debate. Fitz Jackson, State Minister for Finance and Planning with responsibility for pensions, said the legislative side of the Bill should be completed within the next couple of weeks,...

Mister Speaker. Following on the completion of the Budget Debate and the approval of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure by both Houses of Parliament it is my honour and privilege today to open the Sectoral Debate. Mr. Speaker, in the Sectoral Debate a year ago, I said that "the economic fundamentals are sound and there are good reasons to...

Mister Speaker. Following on the completion of the Budget Debate and the approval of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure by both Houses of Parliament it is my honour and privilege today to open the Sectoral Debate. Mr. Speaker, in the Sectoral Debate a year ago, I said that "the economic fundamentals are sound and there are good reasons to...