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BULLETIN #29
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 8, 2004 - 5:00 p.m.
Voucher distribution commences in the South
Farmers hailing from the parishes of Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Hanover and
Manchester were today the first in line to receive vouchers, which are being
disbursed to aid their replanting efforts, following the overwhelming damage,
to the agricultural sector in their region.
In addition to the four parishes receiving vouchers, based on their evaluation as being the worst affected, the island's other parishes with agricultural activity will also be recipients of vouchers within next week.
The Agriculture Ministry is working in tandem with a number of agricultural-based
entities and their respective retail outlets in order to make available, the
necessary inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals to farmers at the
most competitive rates.
To date, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has verified the
names of 7, 000 affected farmers from approved lists from organisations such
as the Jamaica Agricultural Society, and has made recommendations to the Office
of National Reconstruction (ONR) for relief assistance based on the assessments.
NWA urges motorists to adhere posted warnings
The National Works Agency (NWA) is urging the motoring public to obey the instructions
of posted warnings and other road signs along the nation's roadways.
This appeal comes in light of the reopening and subsequent traversing of the Sandy River to Macknie (via Rhoden Hall) main road in Clarendon by motorists despite posted signs by the NWA of its closure.
The NWA parish teams are working assiduously to remove the huge boulder blocking the roadway. The Agency has given the assurance that access to the road should be restored by Monday, October 11.
Portland Cottage and Rocky Point communities receive assistance
As part of the rebuilding effort over 200 home owners of the Portland Cottage
and Rocky Point communities in Clarendon, and 700 students of the Salt Savannah
Primary and Portland Cottage All-Age Schools, recently received assistance valued
at $1 million dollars.
The initiative, which was led by a private sector group, Robert Patrick and Friends, saw the donation of sanitary items and food packages being distributed to residents, whose homes were completely destroyed as a result of Hurricane Ivan, while students were given packages of school supplies.
Robert Patrick, who is a senior Vice President at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) said there was hope that the initiative would help in restoring some level of normalcy in living conditions for residents, and enable students to return to school with minimal interruption to their education.
The Robert Patrick and Friends Group includes the Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP),
the Jamaica Constabulary Force, (JCF) and the Jamaica Public Service Company.
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Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
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