More News In Brief
Published:Saturday | May 3, 2014 | 12:00 AM
USAID to spend $1.4b on community development
Jamaica is expected to benefit significantly from the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) continued implementation of its Community Empowerment and Transformation Project (COMET), over the next five years, at a cost of $1.4 billion (US$13 million).
The Project is being carried out in partnership with the Jamaican Government.
A memorandum of understanding to facilitate implementation of the project's second phase (COMET II), was signed by National Security Minister Peter Bunting and USAID Mission Director Denise Herbol during a brief ceremony at the Planning Institute of Jamaica's (PIOJ) New Kingston offices on Friday, May 2.
COMET II is intended to continue USAID's provision of assistance to the Government of Jamaica in strengthening citizen security and community policing initiatives which commenced under the initial phase, from 2016 to 2012.
These activities were undertaken in 25 communities deemed volatile and marginalised, in Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon and St James.
Focus on development issues, minister tells media
Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer has challenged the media to pay more attention to development issues.
"Media role in development goes beyond uncovering scandals, sniffing out corruption and unveiling smelly deals involving people with power. It involves helping people to understand the grave issues which face them and the complex development options which confront the Caribbean," Falconer asserted.
She was addressing a regional forum in Kingston hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation under the theme 'Reaching New Goals: Free Media Fortifies the Post-2015 Development Agenda'.
She argued that as a region of mostly small developing states faced with development challenges and structural economic impediments, the reality of underdevelopment needs to be explained to the people and the Press can play a vital role in that process.