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Thirty-one active court cases in St. Mary have been referred for mental health evaluations.

Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Court Administration Division Tricia Cameron Anglin made the disclosure today at a mental health symposium in the parish.

While the figure highlights the importance of mental health assessments in the administration of justice, Cameron Anglin cautioned that the cases do not represent confirmed diagnoses.

She said the evaluations are important in informing legal proceedings and safeguarding the rights of individuals who appear before the courts.

She further argued that justice cannot be administered fairly without taking into account the circumstances of the people involved in each case.

She emphasised the need for informed conversations about mental health along with appropriate support for individuals whose mental health concerns may affect their interaction with the justice system.

221 residents of Tivoli Gardens in Kingston Western have been presented with certificates of possession as a major step towards home ownership.

The community consists of approximately one thousand 200 housing units including town houses, semi-detached homes and apartment buildings.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Arlene Williams noted that while a certificate of possession is not the same as an individual registered title, it represents an important step towards formalising residents’ interests in their homes.

She was speaking yesterday at the handing over ceremony.

The residents also benefited from Government’s $150,000 amnesty programme which provided occupiers in regularised Government housing schemes across the island, with an opportunity to settle their outstanding balances.

The Ministry is working to complete the verification process for the remaining 29 accounts in Tivoli Gardens.

Mrs. Williams said in addition to their certificates of possession, beneficiaries will receive letters confirming the settlement and closure of their accounts along with documents to assist with utility connections.

Meantime, Member of Parliament for Kingston Western Desmond McKenzie noted that residents are finally getting a legal document, after many years.

Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements Robert Montague stated that with the document allows beneficiaries to engage with utility companies.

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) is calling on the Finance Ministry to publish data relating to take-up of flexible work or staggered hours by employees.

The call was made yesterday at Parliament’s Economy and Production Committee, by Vice President of the JCTU Rudolph Thomas.

It comes in the wake of government launching flexible work arrangements in the public sector, starting with phased implementation in February, with staggered working hours.

Mr. Thomas noted that while the union is aware of the participating entities, it wants to review the current up-take to plan strategically the next steps and encourage broader adoption.

He emphasised that flexible start times can ease the morning peak, while hybrid work can deliver more savings on fuel and time.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has announced that the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARRA) is expected to advance a comprehensive shoreline protection project in Kingston.

He said the $56 million project will cover 14.2 kilometres along the Palisadoes peninsula and Port Royal shorelines, protecting the Norman Manley International Airport, the road linking Harbour View to Port Royal, and nearby communities, from coastal erosion and storm surges.

Funding of the project is expected from NARRA’s designated budget pool.

Mr. Vaz said Hurricane Melissa underscored the need for such an urgent project, which NARRA will complete, in a quicker timeframe.

Mr. Vaz said the project highlights that NARRA’s role extends beyond rebuilding Western Jamaica.

He was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, has announced plans to allocate funds in the next budget to begin an islandwide programme for the rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of government housing schemes.

He was speaking yesterday at a certificate of possession handing-over ceremony in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston.

The Prime Minister said the initiative will also address structural and electrical safety concerns, ensuring that aging buildings can safely accommodate modern amenities and modifications made by residents.

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) generated $1.3 billion in revenue between April and September this year.

The disclosure was made by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

He explained that the JUTC has been recording increased revenue as it expands services islandwide.

Mr. Vaz outlined that revenue increased by 24 per cent, or $343 million, when compared with earnings for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 fiscal years.

Mr. Vaz said the JUTC’s rural bus service is also performing well, with its Spanish Town rural routes recording stronger passenger demand of nearly $400,000, between June and September this year.

The Transport Minister said the JUTC’s new route 710, connecting Port Antonio to Downtown Kingston, made over $400,000 during its first two weeks of operation.

The route was launched on September 23.

The Government has shielded consumers and businesses from over J$3.7 billion in potential fuel price increases since February.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says this was largely achieved through Petrojam’s pricing mechanism.

He indicates that Jamaica’s energy security remains intact, despite uncertainty in the international oil market due to conflicts in the Middle East.

However, he says petroleum prices remain a concern for the Government, amid the easing of price increases on the international market.

Mr. Vaz says global oil prices are expected to remain relatively stable by the end of 2026.

The Minister assures that the Government will continue to work with Petrojam to shield households and businesses from sudden fuel price increases.

He provided the update at a post-Cabinet press briefing today.

Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon says the Government welcomes the Integrity Commission’s report on the awarding of multi-billion dollar Government contracts and other related procurement matters.

She describes the report as a useful source of data and transparency, while noting that it highlights that more small contracts are being awarded to small businesses.

Tabled in Parliament yesterday, the special report is based on the quarterly contract award reports submitted to the Commission and assesses the findings against the objects of the Public Procurement Act, which makes open competition the general rule.

The report found, among other things, that 3,052 single source awards, valued at $51.6 billion, were above the single source threshold, where the Public Procurement Act permits the method only in limited circumstances.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing today, Dr. Morris Dixon says the report highlights that larger projects were going through competitive processes.

This while single-source procurement was being used for smaller contracts which benefit small businesses.

Dr. Morris Dixon notes, however, that procurement remains an issue for the Government, and said the report’s findings would help inform efforts to address it.

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has expressed confidence in the ability of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to both monitor and provide for the humanitarian needs of the Third Country Nationals (TCNs) while they are in Jamaica.

He made the comment while reiterating that no Jamaican entity will monitor or oversee the movements of TCNs in the country.

It follows continued public concern about the arrival of the Nationals in the country yesterday, and whether or not their movements will be monitored.

15 men and seven women, mostly from Latin American countries, landed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday.

The TCNs underwent relevant immigration procedures and were transported by bus to accommodations arranged by the IOM.

The Government has repeatedly stressed that these individuals are not criminals.

Dr. Chang said these individuals will be treated in the same way as any other visitor in the country.

He stated that the Government has no concern regarding the IOM’s capability to adequately fulfil the humanitarian needs of the TCNs, including the provision of food and shelter.

Dr. Chang said he will not be commenting on where the TCNs will be housed while in Jamaica.

The Jury Amendment Bill was passed with 5 amendments in the Lower House yesterday.

The legislation seeks to, among other things, allow a trial judge to proceed with a case after the jury has been discharged, due to tampering.

In her contribution to the debate on the Bill, prior to its passage, Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Zuleika Jess argued that while jury intimidation or tampering must be addressed, the rights of accused persons cannot be overlooked in the process.

Jess proposed additional protections, including the right to appeal decisions allowing trials without a jury.

And, Opposition Spokesperson on Human Rights Isat Buchanan described the Bill as dangerous.

Buchanan cited the Vybz Kartel case as among the matters that prompted the proposed legislative amendments for jury trials.

He expressed concern that the Bill does not outline what should happen if there is an issue with the judge, even after the jury has been discharged.

In response, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck noted that its acceptable for the same trial judge to continue hearing a case.