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The Financial Investigations Division (FID) has secured a pecuniary penalty order of J$62 million against a business man, following his convictions for unauthorised use of a trade mark and misleading and deceptive conduct.

The business man is Ou Yongjia.

The order was made by consent in the Home Circuit Court on October 2, under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

The FID said as the initial sum payable under the order, Mr. Yongjia agreed to forfeit J$20 million held in bank accounts that were restrained by the Supreme Court on March 18, 2025.

According to the FID, he will pay the balance of J$42 million to the Division in monthly instalments commencing February 2, 2027.

The FID said the matter began on February 11, 2021, when police executed a special warrant at a business premises owned and operated by Mr. Yongjia.

Officers seized 2,840 pairs of counterfeit slippers bearing the trade mark designs of three popular brands, two invoice books and J$829,000 in cash.

Based on the selling prices recorded in the seized invoice books, the FID estimated the value of the counterfeit slippers at J$1,328,000.

According to the FID Mr. Yongjia was charged on March 4, 2021 and on December 7, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of misleading and deceptive conduct, and three counts of unauthorised use of a trade mark.

He was fined J$375,000 on each count, or nine months’ imprisonment in default, a total of J$1.5 million, which was paid on the same day.

A separate charge of possession of criminal property was withdrawn by the prosecution.

The FID said following the convictions, the matter was committed to the Home Circuit court so that the FID could pursue a pecuniary penalty order or forfeiture order under POCA.

The FID said it filed its application in 2023. By virtue of his convictions, Mr. Yongjia was deemed to have a criminal lifestyle, from which he obtained a benefit.

FID’s Principal Director of Financial Crimes Investigations Keith Darien said this outcome reflects the careful work of investigators, who followed the financial trail connected to this case and presented a clear, evidence-based picture to the court.

Meanwhile, Senior Director of Legal Services Courtney Smith said Jamaica’s asset recovery framework is maturing by seizing criminal property to punish, deter, and rehabilitate offenders.

The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) is challenging the management of the National Water Commission (NWC) to get its house in order before asking Jamaicans to shoulder a proposed 51 per cent increase in rates for water, sewerage and other services.

Speaking with IRIE FM news, SBAJ President Garnett Reid insists that the Commission should prioritise repairing leaking pipes and addressing ageing infrastructure to help improve its financial situation.

The utility company announced yesterday that it submitted a tariff increase request to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) amidst worsening revenue challenges and a debt of $33.2 billion.

NWC Acting President, Kevin Kerr, told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday that an interim tariff increase was last granted in 2019.

He also noted that the new request would put the company in a position to meet its expenses.

However, the small business sector is pushing back, with Mr. Reid arguing that consumers should not be expected to absorb higher water bills, while still coping with the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the ongoing drought and continued water losses through leaks in the distribution system.

Noting that the sector is experiencing one crisis after another, Mr. Reid says he fears some members may resort to protests to express their frustration.

The Commission has reported carrying out daily emergency repairs, handling between 2,000 and 3,000 repairs each month in St. Catherine alone.

The NWC has also launched structured Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and infrastructure upgrade programmes.

The Commission noted that these efforts have been expanded significantly through recent projects, including the Portmore NRW Reduction Programme and the 2026 Western Water Resilience Improvement Project.

The OUR, which has confirmed receiving the NWC’s increase request, will determine how much of an increase will be applied, if any.

The National Water Commission (NWC) needs approximately $30 billion annually to improve its infrastructure and service delivery.

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

He indicated that a World Bank study estimated that Jamaica’s water sector required an investment of US$5 billion to transform the sector.

Noting that the NWC’s infrastructure is well over 50 years, Mr. Kerr said the international best practice requires that a water utility like the size of NWC should replace its assets every year by one per cent.

Written by: Shanice Gibbs and Georgetta Williams 

14 people, including four children, have died in house fires across Jamaica since the start of the year, prompting renewed concern about fire safety.

The figures were disclosed by Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner Stewart Beckford at the launch of the Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week, in Kingston this morning.

The week will be observed under the theme: “Safe Homes, Safe Communities – the Power of Prevention”.

The Commissioner expressed deep concern over the deaths.

He said the deaths underscore the devastating human cost of residential fires and the importance of fire prevention and safety practices.

Commissioner Beckford also noted that the ongoing hot conditions have contributed to electrical fires.

Music producer Micheal ‘Mikie’ Bennett is among several members of Jamaica’s music industry who were honoured for their contributions to Jamaican music and culture at the National Honours and Awards ceremony held on Monday, October 19.

In an interview with Zip Fm 103 FM’s Mishka Hall, the renowned producer said he never realized how much the recognition would mean to him.

Also honoured at Monday’s ceremony, held at King’s House as part of the National Heroes’ Day celebrations, were dancehall artiste Mr. Vegas, percussionist Bongo Herman, producer Robert Livingston, guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, gospel singer Shirley Findley Willis and the late singer Wilburn “Stranger” Cole.

Bongo Herman received the Badge of Honour for meritorious service in recognition of his contribution to Jamaican music and culture. Findley Willis, known for her work with the Grace Thrillers, also received the Badge of Honour for her contribution to gospel music in Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vegas and Robert Livingston were appointed to the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer.

Stranger Cole was honoured posthumously for his contribution to the development and international reach of Jamaican music, while Chinna Smith was recognized for his contribution to the local music industry.

The St. Ann Police say they are preventing an increase in robberies and break-ins associated with the rapid infrastructure development in the parish.

Police Commander, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Carlos Russell explained that persons tend to migrate to the parish in search of jobs on construction sites.

However, he noted that when these individuals become unemployed, they sometimes remain in the parish.

SSP Russell said that some of these persons often turn to criminal activities, such as robberies, to fund their lifestyles.

He said the police are monitoring the situation closely.

Plans are in place to expand the Hermitage Dam in St. Andrew next year, as it approaches 100 years of operation.

Acting President of the National Water Commission (NWC) Kevin Kerr made the disclosure during Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee meeting yesterday.

The work is among several priority projects being pursued by the NWC, aimed at improving its finances.

Responding to questions from Committee Chair Julian Robinson, Mr. Kerr noted that expansion work at the dam will not disrupt its operations.

Mr. Kerr shared that the NWC is assessing whether or not it will similarly expand the Mona Reservoir.

The Water Ministry has assured that a holistic approach will be taken to reform the National Water Commission’s financial architecture.

The disclosure was made by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Wayne Robertson at a meeting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today.

The committee members wanted answers on how the NWC will improve its finances, given its $33 billion debt.

Mr. Robertson indicated that an investment plan will be presented to Cabinet shortly of initiatives to strengthen its finances.

The proposals include a non-revenue water project and a debt-swap initiative.

Meanwhile, NWC’s Acting President, Kevin Kerr, said the procurement process for the island-wide non-revenue water initiative will soon be completed.

It is aimed at reducing non-revenue water loss by 30 per cent island-wide over the next 11 years.

In the initial phase of the project, major towns such as Old Harbour and Spanish Town in St. Catherine, as well as Ocho Rios in St. Ann, will be targeted.

Former Acting Permanent Secretary in the Health and Wellness Ministry, Errol Greene, has been appointed reform implementation executive at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

His appointment took effect today.

Mr. Greene will be tasked to manage the implementation of the UHWI rehabilitation project in collaboration with the board of management and the University of the West Indies.

Mr. Greene will also lead the implementation of the recommendations of the Auditor General’s report of December 2025 and of the UHWI institutional review committee report of April 2026.

Mr. Green says he considers this a great honour to be tasked with this responsibility, adding that he will work with the hospital’s staff to ensure the mandate is achieved.

In welcoming Mr. Greene to the role, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says this appointment is an important step in strengthening accountability, improving operational efficiency and ensuring the effective implementation of the hospital’s rehabilitation project.

He says the Ministry is confident that Mr. Greene’s leadership and institutional knowledge will help to drive the necessary changes to support improved governance, strengthen service delivery and position UHWI to better serve the people of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

For his part, Chairman of the UHWI Board of Management, Patrick Hylton, notes that the board recognises the importance of strong leadership, sound governance and decisive action at this critical juncture in the hospital’s development.

He adds that Mr. Greene brings considerable experience in public sector management and healthcare administration, which will be invaluable in advancing the reform programme and addressing the recommendations arising from the relevant reviews.

The St. Ann Police have indicated that they have found a solution to address traffic congestion during the staging of major events in the parish.

This is being done through a review of the traffic management plans and strengthened collaboration with the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) to facilitate a more effective approach to traffic management.

There have been complaints in the past about traffic gridlock in the parish associated with parties during the holiday periods.

Speaking on the police’s Force4Good Podcast on Sunday, Commander for the St. Ann Police, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Carlos Russell, said the police have developed a formula for traffic management through the staging of past events.

He said several parties were staged in the parish for the Heroes Day weekend, noting that the police collaborated with party promoters to prevent traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, Head of the area two police, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) McArthur Sutherland said the meetings with party promoters are an essential part of the police’s traffic management plans.

He added that the partnership with PSTEB has also been successful.

ACP Sutherland said during such major events, the police have moved away from stopping vehicles on main thoroughfares for ticket verifications and searches.