KINGSTON, Jan. 4 (JIS):

Local Government representatives are being urged to familiarise themselves with the latest edition of the councillors handbook, by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

The 300-page handbook, entitled ‘A Guide for Jamaican Councillors’, will be made available to the representatives shortly.

“When you get it, read it, because it is a guide that is useful,” the Minister told the councillors at a sensitisation session held at The Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on January 4.

KINGSTON, Jan. 4 (JIS):

            Contractor General, Dirk Harrison, says the effective management of conflict of interest or other perceptions is very crucial to the building of a good public image.

            He points out that conflict of interest, as it relates to public procurement processes, arises when a public official has a private-capacity interest, which could improperly influence the performance of his or her official duties or responsibilities.

KINGSTON, Jan. 5 (JIS):

State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says juvenile recidivism is decreasing.

In an interview with JIS News, the State Minister also noted that fewer wards of the State are being detained, because of the diversion programme being used in the court system.

KINGSTON, Jan. 5 (JIS):

            Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is moving to have justice centres established in each parish to provide training for Justices of the Peace (JPs) in the areas of restorative justice, mediation and child diversion.

            The objective is to better enable the JPs to peacefully resolve conflicts outside of the court system and promote harmony in communities.