Jamaica's 191 procuring public bodies have registered an unprecedented compliance rate in submitting their Quarterly Contract Award (QCA) reports to the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) on time.
All public bodies were fully compliant in filing their 2009 first-quarter QCA reports by the stipulated deadline of May 1, in keeping with a zero-tolerance policy.
The OCG's tough stance was first implemented by Contractor General Greg Christie in October 2006 to combat the then refusal by public bodies to comply with the requisitions of the OCG. At the time of its introduction, the public body QCA submission compliance rate was 13 per cent.
PM to discuss Ja then and now
Prime Minister Bruce Golding will on Saturday participate in a panel discussion on Jamaica's development over the last 50 years
The discussion, themed 'Jamaica Then and Now: 1959-2009', will be held at The Courtleigh Hotel at 9 a.m.
The event is a major highlight of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) and St George's College classes of 1959.
Other panellists include attorney-at-law and parliamentarian, Ronnie Thwaites, Professors Patricia Anderson and Trevor Munroe, and communications expert Jean Lowrie-Chin.
Falmouth cemetery receives a facelift
The Falmouth cemetery in Trelawny received much attention on Labour Day, as Member of Parliament Dr Patrick Harris and Councillor Garth Wilkinson led a large group of volunteers to clean the burial ground.
Labour Day activities across the parish got off to an early start on most of the 50 registered projects.
Workers used various tools, including power saws, machetes, rakes and wheelbarrows, to clear the overgrown bush at the cemetery, the parish's largest.
Wilkinson called for relatives of those buried in the cemetery as well as churches across the town and adjoining areas that have designated spots to visit regularly.
"I am calling on all persons and churches that have their loved ones buried here and who have reserved areas at the cemetery to cooperate with the Trelawny Parish Council, so that a programme of sustained maintenance can be put in place for this location.
I believe that we should treat our dead relatives better and ensure that their graves are easily identified," Wilkinson told the Jamaica Information Service.
'A tool, not a rescue plan'
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Christopher Tufton, has emphasised that the agricultural sector should not be viewed as a rescue plan in times of crisis, but should be seen as a tool for sustainable development.
"A rescue plan suggests a short-term measure to solve a particular problem at a particular point in time. A sustainable programme for development involving agriculture involves a policy framework that moves way beyond the short and medium term and looks toward the long term, with a level of deliberateness, in order to enhance the capacity that is required to move us in a direction that is sustainable over the long term," Tufton said.
The minister was speaking at the launch of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial show, held on May 26 on the lawns of Hi-Pro Ace Farm Super Centre, White Marl, St Catherine.
Portia sends condolences
Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has expressed condolences in relation to the continual tragedies befalling Jamaica's children.
Simpson Miller said she lamented the death of three young persons who perished in the traffic accident on the Port Henderson Road in Portmore last night.
This came on the heels of the death of five girls in a fire at the Armadale Juvenile Centre in St Ann last Saturday.
"Our hearts go out to the families and friends who have suffered from these losses as we continue to keep them in our prayers," said the opposition leader.
As at Tuesday evening, road fatalities since the start of the year hit 48, compared with 149 for the corresponding period in 2008.
Swine flu alert still out
Despite not yet reporting any cases of the dreaded swine flu, Jamaica's Ministry of Health is warning residents to exercise good hygiene ahead of the summer tourist season, during which time air traffic is expected to increase.
The ministry's facilities remain on high alert.
As at 6 GMT Tuesday (May, 26 2009), 46 countries have officially reported 12,954 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 92 deaths.
Persons are being reminded to wash their hands frequently, covering mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Avoid contact with persons with flu-like symptoms and avoid intimate contact, including handshakes and kisses.