Across the nation
published:
Saturday | May 31, 2008
Tourism projects to begin next year
FALMOUTH, Trelawny:
A myriad of upscale tourism projects announced by Government are set to begin early next year.
According to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the projects estimated to be undertaken over a 10-year period at a cost of US$16 billion (J$1.1 trillion) are expected to generate annual earnings of US$20 billion (J$1.4 trillion) and will create 30,000 new jobs.
Upscale 3,500-room Resort
Delivering the keynote address at the Friends of Trelawny Association's symposium entitled, 'Trelawny, Sailing into Success' at the JFK Holiday Inn Hotel in New York recently, Bartlett said that among the new developments are the upscale 3,500-room Harmony Cove Resort, which will include a casino at a cost of US$8.4 billion (J$597.4 billion); the 6,000-room Amaterra Hotel at a cost of US$2.4 billion (J$170.6 billion); and the 2,000-room Excellency Hotel at a cost of US$6 billion (J$426.7 billion).
He said that plans for the construction of these three new hotels are at an advanced stage and construction is set to commence early next year.
The minister also pointed out that on completion, Trelawny would provide 14,000 hotel rooms, which will be more than the hotel-room stock in tourism capital of Montego Bay.
The tourism minister also told the more than 150 participants that construction of the US$250 million cruise ship pier in Falmouth, for which plans are also advanced, will commence shortly. The Port Authority of Jamaica is undertaking the project.
- JIS
Local Gov't focuses on HR management
MONTEGO BAY, St James:
Human resource management and its effectiveness in local governance was given needed attention and focus during a five-day Regional Local Government Consultation and Conference at the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club in Montego Bay.
The conference, which started on May 26, included training sessions and discussions on a range of related topics and issues under the theme, Enhancing local governance in the Caribbean.
A strategic approach
Representatives from a number of member countries within the region participated in the conference, which was aimed at formulating a strategic approach to strengthen local governance in the region.
Project manager in the Local Government Reform Unit, Clive Edwards, in his presentation on May 27, said that human resource management plays a pivotal role and does have a positive impact on local government authorities.
He also pointed out that effective human resource management was more than personal record-keeping. It was a critical organisational function that anchored the strategic framework, and provided employees with the tools for achieving agreed objectives, he said.
According to Edwards, there were challenges to effectively carry out the human resource management function in the region.
- JIS
Anna Miller Basic School finds new home
KNOCKPATRICK, Manchester:
Ground was broken on Labour Day for the construction of the Anna Miller Basic School in Knockpatrick, Manchester.
The school will be built at a cost of $6 million, with the Jamaica Bauxite Institute contributing $4 million. The rest comes from the Central Manchester Constituency Development Fund.
Development
Principal of the school, Hildred Lewis, said that getting a new building would enable her to concentrate on the development of the 76 pupils enrolled there.
"It is very gratifying to see that construction is about to start. The building that we are currently operating from is a rented one, and the owners have notified us of their intention to use it for other purposes. Since then, it has been a struggle to find an appropriate site and the funds to build it," said Lewis.
Meanwhile, member of parliament for the area, Peter Bunting, the project, would improve the teaching and learning environment for students and teachers.
Alpart donated land for the building. Construction is slated to end January.
