IRIE FM

“The partnership between Government and artistes is a two-way street, and artistes carry a profound responsibility.”

That’s the message from State Minister of Foreign Affairs Alando Terrelonge, as public debate intensifies over entertainers’ role in holding the Government accountable.

Terrelonge’s remarks come amid public outrage after Dancehall artiste Beenie Man criticised the Government’s handling of funds for Hurricane Melissa relief on an international platform.

Speaking at the launch of the Forever 1NE Music Festival at Caymanas Park in Portmore, St. Catherine, Terrelonge acknowledged that Reggae and Dancehall have never been about blind compliance.

He noted that the genres have historically served as powerful platforms for social justice, resistance to oppression and unfiltered commentary on the State.

Terrelonge maintained that with that influence comes an equally significant responsibility to ensure that criticism is rooted in truth and fairness.

Commanding Officer for the St. Catherine North Police Division, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Hopton Nicholson is encouraging parents to be mindful when giving young, new drivers their vehicles.

SSP Nicholson lamented that some youngsters are careless road users.

Speaking at the St. Catherine North Community Safety and Security Unit Virtual Empowerment Discussion, SSP Nicholson said some young people do not have an understanding of what defensive driving is.

The Commanding Officer also urged people to be cautious when their family members are looking to rent cars locally.

SSP Nicholson said as the yuletide season approaches, people must be vigilant and avoid scams when making purchases.

The United Kingdom and Jamaica have entered into a major four-year partnership to accelerate national reconstruction, restore critical infrastructure and strengthen the country’s resilience to future disasters.

The government-to-government partnership was signed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Sunday in Antigua and Barbuda by UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Ed Miliband and Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.

The initiative will begin with a £10 million, British pound, one-year programme, funded equally by the UK Government and Jamaica, reflecting a shared commitment to Jamaica’s long-term recovery and resilience.

UK funding is confirmed for the first year, and funding for future years will be addressed as the programme develops.

The partnership is expected to help Jamaica unlock significant reconstruction and development financing by advancing the preparation and implementation of investment-ready projects.

It will also strengthen the country’s capacity to deliver major infrastructure programmes.

Speaking on the partnership, Minister Johnson Smith stated that by combining Jamaican leadership and expertise with the UK’s experience in major infrastructure delivery, the rebuilding of communities and the restoration of services will be accelerated.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert said following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the UK is standing alongside Jamaica.

A central priority of the partnership will be supporting Jamaica’s National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) with specialist technical expertise to strengthen project planning, coordination and oversight, and accelerate the implementation of the government’s reconstruction and resilience programme.

The partnership will help move priority projects from planning to implementation more quickly, supported by stronger technical systems and effective programme management.

Member of Parliament for St. Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, says there is a dark shadow of sorrow over the community of Mexico, in Gregory Park, following the deaths of two children in a house fire last evening.

They have been identified as 10-year-old Deon Bell and 5-year-old Jausha Bell.

Mr. Terrelonge says their mother received severe burns and has been hospitalised. Another child survived the fire.

According to reports, the family was at home around 7:10 p.m. when the police were alerted to a fire in the area.

Lawmen and the fire brigade responded to the blaze.

Following cooling down operations, the bodies of the two siblings were found among the rubble.

Mr. Terrelongue said he and divisional Councillor, Joy Brown, visited the scene to stand in solidarity with the grieving family and shaken neighbours.

He stated that they are actively mobilising emergency support, grief counselling, and relief services for the family members.

A section of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department at the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas was flooded following heavy rainfall this morning.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the issues have been corrected.

He gave the update in Parliament, following circulation of a video of the flooding.

The rain is linked to an unstable weather system which is impacting the island and is expected to persist until Saturday.

Dr. Tufton noted that he received a report from the hospital on the incident.

He said that the report revealed that the incident occurred because the hospital’s guttering system collapsed.

Dr. Tufton said the incident must be assessed to prevent it from recurring.

Meanwhile, Keith Walford, who founded the 37-year-old award-winning Bass Odyssey, says he is confident that the legacy he has built is in good hands with his offspring at the helm.

This morning’s interview on Irie FM marked the first time the father-and-daughter duo appeared together for a joint interview.

Dancehall heavyweights Dexta Daps and Shaneil Muir, along with reggae singer I-Wayne, will join dancehall star Masicka on stage for his inaugural Forever 1ne Music Festival, scheduled for December 19 at Caymanas Park in his hometown of Portmore.

The star-studded lineup was announced at the official launch of the event last evening.

Masicka says it is a great feeling to be performing in the community that helped shape him into the artiste he is today.

The Forever 1ne Music Festival comes just two weeks after Masicka celebrates his 33rd birthday and releases the deluxe edition of his album, Forever Reign.

Students’ education was disrupted this morning, following another break-in at Maldon Primary School in Maroon Town, St. James.

The incident has renewed concerns about the repeated targeting of the institution, which has reportedly been broken into more than five times over the past eight years.

The latest incident has sparked outrage from Councillor of the Maroon Town Division, Anthony Swaby, who says the continued breaches go beyond simple acts of theft, but threaten the educational development and future of the community’s children.

Swaby has pledged his support to the school, as efforts are made to address its security concerns.

He says the police have launched an investigation into the latest incident.

The councillor is also appealing to residents and other citizens who may have information to come forward and assist the police with their investigations.

Some residents of Bath, St. Thomas, say they are worried because of unstable weather conditions this week.

The Met Service said a broad Trough is expected to develop across Jamaica and the western Caribbean.

It will produce a large area of disorganised showers and thunderstorms across the region.

Persons should expect unstable weather conditions across the island beginning today through to Saturday.

Last month, sections of Bath, St. Thomas were flooded when the Plantain Garden River overflowed its banks sending the floodwaters toward the homes of residents.

Some residents also lost their livestock as a result of flash flooding.

The Social Security Ministry, as well as other groups, provided support to the affected residents.

A resident of Bath, Venroy Beckford, told IRIE FM News that many people are still cleaning up and putting their lives back together since the flooding last month.

He said residents are making preparations for the unstable weather.

He is calling on the authorities to conduct river training activities in the parish.

The unstable weather affecting Jamaica is exposing lingering challenges in the restoration of schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The conditions, which are projected to persist until Saturday, have raised fresh concerns about the adequacy of repairs and the safety of students and teachers.

The concerns follow the circulation of a video on social media, which appears to show students getting wet in a classroom at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, St. James.

Speaking with IRIE FM News this morning, Principal Michael Ellis said the school is among several still undergoing repairs following the Category 5 hurricane.

He said classrooms remain vulnerable without complete roof coverage.

Mr. ellis said the school’s management, with Government assistance, is working feverishly to improve the situation.