April 2010
Cabinet receives public sector restructuring recommendations
BY INGRID BROWN Observer senior reporter browni@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, April 01, 2010
THE Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU) has submitted to Cabinet its initial recommendations for a leaner, more efficient public sector, which could result in the merging of some Government departments and agencies as early as this month.
The disclosure was made by Information Minister Daryl Vaz at yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Government satisfies conditions of IMF
BY LYNFORD SIMPSON Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, April 01, 2010
JAMAICA has satisfied all the requirements for the first International Monetary Fund IMF test, under its 27-month standby agreement with the multilateral organisation, according to junior minister Arthur Williams.
"Our side (Government team) has informed us that we have met all the conditions of the IMF," Williams, state minister in the Ministry of Finance, told the Observer yesterday.
Property taxes go up today
BY LYNFORD SIMPSON Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, April 01, 2010
JAMAICANS will begin paying as much as 66 per cent more for property taxes effective today,
April 1.
Finance and Public Service Minister Audley Shaw made the announcement Tuesday night during the first day's sitting of Parliament's Standing Finance Committee which is examining the 2010/2011 Estimates of Expenditure which have already been increased by $4.5 billion.
Jamaicans facing more visa restrictions
Baugh cites bad behaviour as main factor
BY ALICIA DUNKLEY Observer staff reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, April 01, 2010
COUNTRIES in Latin America have joined the list of states that have imposed visa restrictions on Jamaicans because of the bad behaviour of some of the country's nationals.
In the past decade countries such as the Cayman Islands, Britain, and Costa Rica have imposed visa restrictions for Jamaicans, citing the number of crimes committed by Jamaican nationals and drug trafficking as the underlying factors.
Budget targets overloaded vehicles
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Jamaica Observer
THE 2010/11 budget includes the provision of $166-million for the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Weight Limit Enforcement Programme in the Ministry of Transport and Works.
The money is to be used to start construction of three weigh stations; complete the Harbour Head Weigh Station; and substantially complete the other two weigh stations, as well as complete all programmed platforms for the portable weigh scales.
Use our people!
Published: Thursday | April 1, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
State minister in charge of local government issues, Robert Montague, was on Tuesday warned of possible unrest if the national clean-up agency continues to use itinerant workers at the expense of hometown citizens.
Opposition members of parliament for South Manchester, North Trelawny and West Hanover voiced concerns that residents were being overlooked for jobs by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
Household Expenditure Survey gets Budget Support
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Almost $11 million has been set aside in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure to facilitate the continuation of a Household Expenditure Survey by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).
The project initially ran between November 2004 and December, 2008 contributing to an enhanced process of economic and social decision making.
Gov't Mitigating Threat of Harmful Organisms
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Government has allocated some $31 million to Mitigate the Threat of Invasive Alien Species (AIS) in the Insular Caribbean, in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditures now before the House of Representatives.
$15 Million Allocated for Irrigation Projects
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Government will spend $15 million this year on the National Irrigation Development Project, as it seeks to improve crop production and diversity, thereby increasing farm incomes and rural employment in the long term.
This is contained in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. The National Irrigation Development Plan has three pilot projects located at Pedro Plains and Hounslow in St. Elizabeth and Seven Rivers in St. James.
Fire Service Gets $86 Million for Capital Improvements
KINGSTON(JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Government has provided $86.5 million in the 2010/11 Budget to improve fire protection services provided by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).
Of the total sum, $35 million will be spent on spare parts to repair five vehicles, while $30.7 million will be used for the procurement of equipment, such as standby generators, gas warning devices, breathing apparatus and protective jackets, for fire prevention and fire fighting activities.
Budget of $288 Million to Enhance Basic Education
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Government is to continue its programme of providing education at the earliest age possible, with a budgetary allocation of $288 million for the Enhancement of Basic Schools project, as outlined in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House.
With funding support from the Caribbean Development Bank, the project aims at enabling young children to learn and develop optimally.
The Enhancement of Basic Schools project was implemented in April 2002 and is set to be completed in December 2011.
Stern says DAC Could Lift Investments
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service
A second batch of Parish Council representatives were briefed on the functions and structure of the new Development Assistance Centre (DAC) being implemented in the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), to improve the turnaround time for building applications.
$1.6 Billion for Gustav Rehabilitation Works
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Government has set aside $1.6 billion in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, to carry out Tropical Storm Gustav rehabilitation works during the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1.
This project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Works, aims to rehabilitate, restore and protect critical sections of physical infrastructure in the island, to improve flood mitigation.
Property Taxes Increase Effective April 1
KINGSTON, (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw, has announced that Property Taxes will be increased effective Thursday, April 1.
The flat rate which is applicable to unimproved values up to $300,000 will be increased from the current $600 to $1,000. For unimproved values exceeding $300,000, a rate of $1,000 will be applicable for the first $300,000 and for every dollar thereafter .75%.
Reports on Jamaica more harmful than helpful, says Baugh
BY ALICIA DUNKLEY Observer staff reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh has described as "harmful rather than helpful" reports done on Jamaica by foreign bodies.
Tough times ahead, Holness tells principals
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Jamaica Observer
EDUCATION Minister Andrew Holness has warned school principals that tough times lie ahead for the country, and urged them to be prudent in the management of their resources.
Jamaica forced to hire judge
Published: Tuesday | April 6, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner
THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) has forced Jamaica to employ an additional Supreme Court judge.
Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne said the country has had to follow the dictate of the powerful bloc of countries in order to benefit from grant funds they have provided.
"The conditions have to do with fighting corruption," Lightbourne told Parliament last week during the sitting of the joint select committee.
Input legislation
Gov't Exploring new Wind Energy Sites
By: Garfield Angus
MANDEVILLE (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service
The Government will be exploring 22 new wind energy sites, to add wind generated electricity to the existing Wigton Windfarm 1, and the soon to be completed US $49 million Wigton 2, in Southern Manchester.
Charles Predicts Flexitime Will Increase Jobs
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has predicted that the implementation of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) will allow for increased employment opportunities for Jamaicans.
$66 Million to Promote Technology in Agriculture
KINGSTON, March 31 2010 (JIS):
A project aimed at developing a technologically driven and modern agricultural sector has been allocated $66.3 million for the 2010/11 financial year.
This is outlined in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives.
As stated under the Improving Jamaica's Agricultural Productivity Project, the objectives are to increase productivity and sustain production and marketing of high quality products; and to support the adaptation of greenhouse technology.
