Priority focus for critical infrastructure works
published Saturday, September 13, 2008
Jamaica Herald
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Submitted by publicrelations on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 14:35.Tourism minister says revenue
September 9, 2008 The Sunday Herald
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has refuted claims that the revenue guarantee given to legacy carrier American Airlines will pose a threat to the national carrier, Air Jamaica.
In response to a number of concerns raised about the agreement, the tourism minister, in a press release, said it would in no way undermine the service provided by the national carrier.
“Such a deal with a legacy carrier allows us the opportunity to deliver the world to Jamaica and Jamaica to the world,” suggested Bartlett.
The release said the national carrier continues to enjoy for many years, funding support from the government, subsidising the carrier for operation and expansion. This was said to have been encouraged further, Air Jamaica’s the ability to undertake new routes, maintain existing gateways, and improve service standards.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 12:54.Security ministry moving to increase police numbers
August 23, 2008 Written by: Mark Thompson
The Sunday Herald
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Submitted by publicrelations on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 10:35.McKenzie fires warning entertainment venues
July 26, 2008 Written by: No Author
Sunday Herald
Mayor of Kingston, Senator Desmond McKenzie, has signaled his intention to confront entertainment venues where the operators are without the necessary fire certification, in a clampdown scheduled to commence this week.
Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Community Fire Safety Programme last week, Mayor McKenzie disclosed that six out of every 10 nightclubs in Kingston and St. Andrew were operating without the requisite fire safety approval.
“There are no safety measures in place in case there is a fire or some kind of disaster. A lot of these nightclubs have one way in and one way out. It speaks to the level of indiscipline in the society, and I’m saying without fear of contradiction, that I will be releasing the names of these places,” stated Mayor McKenzie.
He pointed out that several popular spots were on the list to be released, and noted that many persons who frequent these venues are oblivious to the hidden dangers that the venues posed. He added that certain playhouses and sporting venues were also in violation.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:24.Golding commended for Cuban statement
July 26, 2008 Written by: No Author
Sunday Herald
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been commended for his statement this week opposing the US blockade on the people of Cuba.
The commendation has come from the Friends of Cuba, a Jamaican-based group, which described the move as the “first enlightened statement in support of the Cuban people by a leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, and for the first time at last, since Jamaica’s Independence in August 1962.” This Friends of Cuba group said the Golding statement and some other recent actions by the present government demonstrate that the Jamaica Labour Party has finally emerged from the ‘dark ages’ when it comes to Cuba, the Caribbean and regionalism.
“It is also commendable, even if in our own obvious and self-serving interest and in the context of extremely limited options, that this government has not only sought to continue the relationship with Cuba, which has provides much tangible assistance to Jamaica over the last three decades, but to strengthen the relationship,” the Jamaican group said.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:22.Cops welcome ‘pay for performance’ idea
The Sunday Herald
Sunday July 20, 2008 Written by: No Author
Chairman of the Police Federation, Corporal Raymond Wilson, last week told Prime Minister Bruce Golding that the federation would welcome any approach that would balance performance with pay, in keeping with the modern era in which the country is moving.
“We would welcome any approach that would balance performance with pay. Naturally the issue of proper assessment of how people work and how they are compensated is something that any strategic direction must take into consideration,” Corporal Wilson said.
His comments were made during a meeting at Jamaica House and followed a discussion in which the Prime Minister said the government would want to have further talks with the federation about the taskforce’s recommendation of a review of emoluments within the Jamaica Constabulary Force that is performance-driven and defined by improved quality of service.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 12:00.Copyright sector untapped
Written by: Mark Thompson
2008-07-05, Sunday Herald
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Submitted by publicrelations on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 14:35.New structure for Air J
June 28, 2008 Written by: Durrant Pate
Sunday Herald
The government has approved a new organisational structure for the cash-strapped Air Jamaica, which will see the post of executive chairman, currently occupied by Shirley Williams, being disbanded.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Don Wehby confirmed that a new organisational structure would be in place next week with the post of executive chairman being disbanded.
While not wanting to divulge too much, Wehby disclosed that a chief executive officer (CEO) has been identified and would be announced on Tuesday during the weekly post Cabinet news briefing.
He said the proposed CEO is a seasoned campaigner in the aviation business and would be charged with the mandate of leading the “Love Bird,” which is debt ridden into privatisation by March next year. In addition, a new board with some old and new faces would also be unveiled on Tuesday, following news last week that the 14-member board was surprisingly asked to resign.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 10:38.Henry brings good news to MoBay
June 28, 2008 Written by: No Author
Sunday Herald
Small craft vendors and farmers within the tourism sector could start benefiting directly from the tourist trade once the trains start rolling again, says Transport and Works Minister, Mike Henry.
Addressing the media along with business and some sector interests in Montego Bay on Thursday afternoon after a broad-based tour of infrastructure and transport-related facilities in the second city, the minister said the once vibrant excursion tourist trains dubbed the ‘Rum Tour’ could soon be back in operation in western Jamaica, ahead of the eventual reintroduction of the passenger service to Kingston.
“I will be meeting with the operators of Carnival Cruse Line some time next week.”
“We are going to let them know that the government is committed to bringing back the rail service, where it will be used to transport both locals and visitors to the island into places like the Cockpit Country and beyond, as was the case before,” said the minister.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 10:35.Crime a major worry for tourism officials
2008-06-07, Written by: Mark Thompson
Sunday Herald
Montego Bay:
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has identified Jamaica’s burgeoning crime problem as the single most debilitating factor assailing the nation’s tourism industry.
Speaking yesterday during a plenary session of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) 47th Annual General Meeting at Half Moon in Montego Bay, Bartlett described crime as the one area of worry beyond anything else that is currently impacting negatively on the industry.
“I must tell you that the fuel crisis is not as worrying to me as crime. The turmoil in the aviation industry is not as worrying to me as crime,” he revealed to a room full of hoteliers and tourism affiliates.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 10:45.Posted in
