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BULLETIN # 8
Rebuilding Jamaica
September 24 2004 - noon
ONR receives $40 million
The Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) will receive a cheque of $40 Million at 1:30 today, an amount that will go toward the present reconstruction efforts.
The cheque represents the combined donations of the Jamaica National Building Society, National Commercial Bank, Dehring Bunting & Golding, and Victoria Mutual Building Society.
Communications Liaison, Tracey Hamilton revealed that the ONR had also received $15 million from Pan-Caribbean Merchant Bank, Life of Jamaica, and Pan-Jam Investment Trust Ltd. combined.
Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) also donated $7.5 million dollars to the reconstruction efforts.
Government committed to preserving jobs
Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies reaffirmed the Government's commitment
to the preservation of jobs in the public sector provided under the Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU).
Minister Davies made this commitment at a meeting with the Executive of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions on Thursday September 23. The meeting was convened to discuss the likely effects of Hurricane Ivan on the macroeconomic targets as well as the wider implications for the Jamaican economy. Dr. Davies said that while there may be a slight deviation from the targets established for the fiscal year 2004/2005 he was confident that the deficit target for 2005/6 would be met.
Forestry Department to plant trees
The Forestry Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture, is making plans
to re-establish much of the trees and forests damaged by the recent hurricane.
In celebration of National Timber Tree Planting Day on Friday October 8, the
Department will distribute approximately 12,000 seedlings up from 7,000 last
year.
Director of Technical Services at the Forestry Department, Keith Porter said tree planting has taken on added importance in the wake of hurricane Ivan, which destroyed large portions of forests and trees both in urban and rural areas. The Forestry Department is encouraging all Jamaicans to participate in the restorative effort.
Education Ministry exploring options to avoid relocating students
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture is exploring options to avoid relocating
students of some 63 schools. These schools have remained closed due to the passage
of Hurricane Ivan.
Director of Communications, Dorrett Campbell said the Ministry is examining the situation carefully before coming to any final decisions. She also explains that Regional Directors are in the process of convening meetings with Principals and school boards to discuss plans for making up the school days lost, as well as other critical issues relating to the schools that were damaged, administration of examinations, attendance, curriculum delivery and welfare of students and teachers.
Majority of roads cleared in Westmoreland
More than 80 percent of the 90 blocked roadways in Westmoreland have been cleared
to accommodate vehicular traffic. According to Superintendent of Roads and Works
at the Westmoreland Parish Council, Albert Stewart, remedial relief work is
now being carried out to have all roadways ready for public travel as soon as
possible.
Atlanta responds positively
The Jamaica Community in Atlanta has responded positively to the relief and
reconstruction efforts.
Good Works International and the Neil O'Sullivan Foundation, two charity groups
based in Atlanta have made donations of medication and relief supplies. The
items provided by a number of corporate companies throughout Atlanta and other
parts of the United States, will be air lifted to Jamaica within the next two
weeks.
Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
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