KINGSTON, Jamaica: A new Building Act with a modern legislative framework that will serve to reduce the vulnerability of Jamaica’s built environment and ensure public safety, is now in effect. The Building Act 2018 came into force on January 15 and repeals the Kingston and St. Andrew Building Act and the Parish Councils Building Act.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The operational capacity of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has been boosted with an injection of 11 new compactor trucks. The trucks, which are valued at some US$1.75 million, swell the number of new units handed over to the garbage collection and disposal entity in the last three years to 42.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaicans are being urged to embrace a more proactive approach to natural disasters as the country moves to increase its disaster resilience. Minster of Local Government and Community development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, gave the charge during an Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Campaign 2019 press conference hosted by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) on Monday (January 14, 2019).

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann: Two senior citizens have received new homes in keeping with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s thrust to protect the vulnerable, in the communities of Lime Hall and Mile End, St. Ann respectively. Minister Desmond McKenzie officially handed over the keys for the furnished studio units - built at a total cost of $4 million – to the recipients during a special ceremony on January 4, 2018 in St. Ann.