More News in Brief

New rooms to come for tourism sector

Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill has said ground will be broken this year for the construction of some 1,600 new rooms in the local tourism sector.

The minister said construction of those rooms is an indication that investments in the tourism sector have returned in a big way.

Declaring open the 2015 Jamaica Product Exchange on Sunday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St James, McNeill said apart from doing well, the sector continues to grow with the country breaking the two-million mark in tourist arrivals two years ago.

"The tourism sector is doing extremely well and continues to grow every year. That's a tremendous achievement when you consider that in the Caribbean, only four countries are at that level and Jamaica is one of them," the minister said.

Ambassador Thomas says Ja committed to human rights

Ambassador to the United States, Ralph Thomas, presented his credentials as Jamaica's new permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) on September 18, to Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, at its headquarters in Washington, DC.

In his remarks, Thomas reassured the secretary general that Jamaica is fully committed to the OAS charter.

"Today, I underscore Jamaica's commitment to the principles and objectives of the OAS, including the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights, the maintenance of peace and security, and the advancement of sustainable economic development throughout the hemisphere," Thomas said.

He pointed out that Jamaica is willing to work constructively towards the fulfilment of the mandates emanating from the Summit of the Americas and the General Assembly, which were held in April and June, respectively.

Freshwater resources to be safeguarded

Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister Robert Pickersgill has said the Government, through the ministry, is taking the necessary measures to safeguard Jamaica's freshwater resources in light of protracted drought conditions.

These measures, he informed, include the revision of Jamaica's 2004 Water Sector Policy and Action Plans, work on which is "far advanced", and development of the Rural Water Supply Development Strategy.

Pickersgill noted that these engagements are also aimed at ensuring that the supply of fresh water is "not compromised in any way".

He was speaking at the ministry's second climate change public consultation in Manchester last Thursday.