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358 housing units have been completed under the Government’s New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) since its inception eight years ago.

Almost 1,300 persons have benefited from the initiative aimed at providing shelter to the most vulnerable.

The disclosure was made by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Arlene Williams, at the handing over of the East Palms Housing Complex on East Avenue in central Kingston yesterday.

The 12-bedroom home was constructed under the programme.

Mrs. Williams said 57 active construction projects are ongoing under the NSHP Programme, which will be completed soon.

Meanwhile, she noted that the East Palms Housing Complex was completed at a cost of over 62 million dollars.

It will house residents whose 12-bedroom dwelling was destroyed by fire in July 2021.

The blaze was suspected to have been caused by arson linked to gang violence.

Mrs. Williams said the construction was completed within a six-month period.

The Education Ministry is introducing the payment of fees for board directors in select schools under a pilot project.

Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) Chairman, Dr. Adrian Stokes explained that the move is part of plans to strengthen the composition and performance of school boards.

Institutions that are underperforming will be included in the pilot programme.

Dr. Stokes said a clear performance-management framework will support the project.

ETOC is also seeking to recruit board members with competencies more aligned to each school’s deficiencies.

He was speaking at a press conference this morning.

47 per cent of the 365 recommendations contained in the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission report have been implemented.

The update was given by the Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) at a press conference this morning.

ETOC Chairman, Dr. Adrian Stokes, said the latest figure represents a four-percentage-point increase from the 43 per cent reported in July.

He attributed the progress to gains in several areas, including governance, finance, infrastructure and early childhood.

Dr. Stokes noted that 18 additional initiatives had been fully implemented, bringing the total number of fully implemented recommendations to 166.

Works Minister Robert Morgan has assured residents that the drainage study under the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project will help resolve many of Montego Bay’s flooding issues, including those in Catherine Hall.

He made the comment during a visit to the area yesterday, following heavy rainfall which affected the community.

Residents in Catherine Hall and surrounding communities have been complaining about the flooding of their homes when it rains.

The drainage study is expected to be completed by December.

Mr. Morgan noted that his Ministry has been working closely with the local councillor to assist with the cleaning of drains as often as possible.

The Works Minister said the study will address the North and South Gullies, the Montego River and several water features in the city.

Some progress has been made in the rehabilitation of Lucea Seaview Drive commonly called Sea Wall Road in Hanover, with about 40 metres of pipes already fixed.

The thoroughfare is often impacted by flooding, with deteriorating conditions resulting in traffic congestion, which is a concern for motorists, especially tourism interests and business operators.

The National Works Agency is undertaking repairs to the roadway as part of the SPARK Programme.

The project includes concrete paving, as well as the installation of drains and pipeline replacement.

Works Minister Robert Morgan visited the area yesterday, as he toured sections of Hanover and St. James, which were affected by recent heavy rains and flooding.

Mr. Morgan acknowledged that the Lucea Sea Wall roadway has been a major challenge for some time but a solution has been found and efforts are being made by the contractor to remedy the problem.

The works minister urged residents and motorists to be patient, while rehabilitation works are ongoing. 

Consumers are being urged to participate in the public consultation process on the National Water Commission’s (NWC’s) application for a 51% increase in water and sewerage rates.

The application was submitted to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) last Friday.

The NWC maintains that the increase is necessary to cover its operating expenses and finance priority investments.

Its financial challenges are back in the spotlight, following reports that the company has billions of dollars in outstanding payables.

The OUR, which confirmed receipt of the utility company’s application on Tuesday, said it will first assess whether the submission meets requirements in form and content.

The regulator may request additional information from the NWC before deciding whether to formally accept the application for review.

That decision is expected to be communicated within 10 days.

If the application advances to the review stage, public consultation will give consumers an opportunity to express their views on the proposed increase.

The Opposition and the commerce sector have expressed concern that an increase in tariffs could place further pressure on households and businesses already struggling with the high cost of living.

Spokesman on Water Ian Hayles says Jamaicans should make their concerns known to ensure they are considered before the regulator makes its determination.

The Opposition People’s National Party says Jamaicans should not be asked to pay more for water, until the National Water Commission (NWC) demonstrates that it is managing the country’s water resources effectively.

The statement follows an announcement that the NWC applied to the Office of Utility Regulation (OUR) on Friday for a 51 per cent tariff increase.

The application was disclosed by NWC’s Acting President Kevin Kerr at yesterday’s meeting of the Public Accounts Committee.

The Committee was examining the Auditor General’s performance audit of the Commission’s project planning, financial management and operational efficiency.

The audit found that the NWC has no master plans for 17 priority projects valued at $394 billion and lacks a documented framework for ranking capital projects.

A framework is not expected to be in place until March 2028.

The audit also found that the Commission’s payables had more than tripled, rising from $10.6 billion in the 2016/2017 financial year to $33.2 billion in 2025/26.

In addition, the NWC has underspent its capital budgets every year since 2019/2020, while repeatedly falling short of targets to reduce non-revenue water and improve energy efficiency.

Citing the audit findings, Spokesperson on Water Ian Hayles questioned why should Jamaicans pay for what he described as the mismanagement of their water.

Mr. Hayles is calling on the OUR to reject the application and rule out any tariff increase until the Commission submits its outstanding audited financial statements and presents a credible plan to reduce non-revenue water.

He is also urging the publication of a national water master plan, with clear criteria for selecting projects and quarterly progress reports to be tabled in Parliament.

The OUR has received the NWC’s tariff increase request and is conducting its assessment.

The Government is advancing relocation efforts for Coopers Pen Residents in Trelawny, as the November 30 deadline for them to leave the property approaches.

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development says it’s actively assisting with the relocation of residents.

This followed a demolition exercise in August, that displaced several residents.

The Government has been assisting the residents and relocated 19 households on September 19 at a cost of approximately $10 million.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says a decanting site has been prepared to accommodate a small number of vulnerable persons in extreme emergency situations temporarily, who do not have immediate alternative accommodation as the relocation deadline draws near.

The Prime Minster says meetings and engagements have been held with the 100 affected households.

According to Dr. Holness, while the Government’s effort at this time is focused on ensuring the dignified relocation of affected households, it must also ensure respect for the rule of law, the frugal use of taxpayers’ funds, the equitable development of policy to be applied in similar circumstances, and the protection of property rights.

The Ministry says beyond the current process of assisting the affected households of Coopers Pen, the Government will not intervene in private matters concerning the repossession of the land or in the rulings of the courts.

It says it notes the deadline issued for persons to relocate and recommend that affected households make every effort to comply.

The St. Ann Police are to conduct further operations, to locate Haitian nationals who they believe are hiding in the parish.

It follows a major security forces operation in Mammee Bay, St. Ann yesterday, during which 16 Haitians were found.

The group comprised of 12 adults and four children.

The apprehension follows the arrest of seven Haitian nationals, including a 13-year-old child, during a traffic stop in Ocho Rios, St. Ann on September 29.

The group was repatriated earlier this month.

Speaking on the latest arrest of the foreigners, Commander for the St. Ann Police, Senior Superintendent Carlos Russell said the security operation was carried out between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

He explained that the Haitians are being processed by a medical team and officials from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Authority (PICA).

SSP Russell warned citizens not to harbour undocumented Haitians, as this could expose them to diseases such as malaria.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade is urging citizens to create an emergency escape plan as part of their fire safety preparation.

Speaking at the launch of Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week, Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner Stewart Beckford said that residents should establish at least two exit routes based on their home layout.

He said residents should ensure their keys are easily accessible in emergency situations.

Mr. Beckford is also urging residents to conduct home fire drills and include children so they know how to react during an emergency.

The Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week will be observed from October 25 to 31 under the theme: “Safe Homes, Safe communities – the Power of Prevention.”

14 people, including four children have died in house fires since the start of the year.