|
BULLETIN #19
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 1, 2004 - 5:00 p.m.
Organisation called to monitor prices of construction materials
Director of Research Information and Communication at the Consumer Affairs Commission
(CAC) Raymond Price, has invited the Master Builders Association to assist in
monitoring the prices of construction materials by comparing them with the association's
inventory of prices for building materials prior to hurricane Ivan.
The Commission will also be working with the Bureau of Standards to continue surveillance of the market over the next few weeks. Areas of focus will include established businesses as well as house shops and sidewalk vendors.
Consumers are urged to be vigilant and to call the Commission or the Bureau of Standards to report any market abnormality. Persons may also call any of the consumer hotline numbers set up by the Ministry of Commerce to receive complaints. The numbers are 929-0033 or 929-0050-51
Improvement in environmental practices minimized hurricane damage
The Mining and Quarrying Association of Jamaica and the Mines and Geology Division
in the Ministry of Land and Environment, has reported that the improvement of
the sector's environmental practices helped to minimize the damage from Hurricane
Ivan.
The measures included: keeping drainage clear; establishing proper terraces;
maintaining clear river channels; and, removing excess sediment from the riverbeds.
Degree of normalcy returns to 397 schools in three parishes
Classes have resumed for students at 397 government schools in the parishes
of Trelawny, St. Ann and western St. Mary, even though some students have been
accommodated in makeshift classrooms, while their schools are under repair.
As a result of the progress of the relief effort, schools previously used as
shelters, are now able to resume normal activities as persons return home.
Advisory on drinking water still in effect
The Ministry of Health is reminding the public that the advisory on drinking
water is still in effect. All water used for drinking, making ice, preparing
foods, washing fruits and vegetables, and washing dishes and utensils, should
be boiled or treated with bleach.
The Health Ministry is working closely with the National Water Commission, Parish
Councils and private providers, to improve the quality of drinking water in
an effort to prevent outbreaks of diseases.
Owners and operators of all categories of food handling establishments, including
ice and beverage companies, are required to comply with the advisory and are
being reminded that although water has been restored in many communities, the
appearance of clean water is not necessarily an indication of safe water.
JPS restores service to 70% of customers in Manchester
The Jamaica Public Service Company has reported that 28,000 customers in Manchester,
representing 70 percent of households, now have access to their regular electricity
supplies. The company is currently working to return power to areas still without
electricity.
-30-
Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
Go-Jamaica
| Jamaica-Gleaner
| Jamaica Star
| Go-Local Jamaica
| Sports Jamaica
| Letters to
the Editor