IRIE FM

There is uncertainty about the leadership of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation due to a possible change in the number of divisional councillors for the country’s two main political parties.

This in the wake of reports that Jamaica Labour Party Councillor for the May Pen North Division, Tanya-lee Williams, declared that she would be crossing the floor, to join the People’s National Party.

She made the declaration at today’s sitting of the corporations monthly meeting, and this reportedly led to an abrupt end.

The change in affiliation would mean a shift in which party holds the majority, thereby also impacting who would serve as chairman of the corporation.

Attempts to get a comment from May Pen Mayor Joel Williams and minority leader Scean Barnswell, were futile.

In seeking to explain the legal process relating to crossing the floor, attorney and political commentator Linton Gordon said Ms. Williams’ switch to the PNP would increase the number of PNP councillors and break the current tie.

He said a new mayor would have to be selected.

Mr. Gordon noted that these situations are common at the parish council level.

Chairman of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, Mayor Michael Belnavis, has indicated that no comment will be made at this time, on a recent Integrity Commission report involving Councillor for the Beecher Town Division, Ian Bell and his wife.

This as the municipal authority is yet to receive a copy of the Commission’s report, for perusal.

The report, which was tabled in Parliament last month, concerned conflict-of-interest breaches and other irregularities surrounding the rental/lease of Government property and the construction of a commercial building at the Ocho Rios Transportation Centre.

The Commission said its investigations found that Mr. Bell’s wife, Shirlyn Campbell-Bell, constructed and has operated a gaming shop at the Ocho Rios Transportation Centre, without the necessary building and planning permits.

It also found that Mr. Bell breached the standards of conflict-of-interest management expected of elected officials in relation to the setting up of the business by his wife.

Speaking at today’s meeting of the corporation, Mayor Belnavis assured that upon submission, the report will be thoroughly reviewed.

Mayor Belnavis said the corporation stands ready to take appropriate action, if necessary, based on the Commission’s findings and recommendations.

A statue of former Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann Shahine Robinson will be the first to be erected at a Culture Walk and Park in the parish capital.

The park will, over time, feature statues of other notable persons from the parish, to include artistes such as Bob Marley and athletes such as Deon Hemmings.

MP Matthew Samuda made the announcement, during his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate, in the Lower House.

Mr. Samuda noted that the park is intended to be part of a programme to honour the cultural heritage of the parish, while improving the aesthetics of the entrance to St. Ann’s Bay.

To further honour National Hero, Marcus Garvey, the St. Ann Parish Library will become home to the Garvey Museum, inclusive of Garvey’s car on display.

The National Food Handlers Permit Programme will be modernised to move from annual renewal, to every 2 years.

This follows Cabinet’s approval of amendments to the Public Health Act, the public health food handling regulations and the public health tourist establishment regulations.

Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton gave the update during a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

Dr. Tufton said the change is intended to improve efficiency and service delivery while strengthening the capacity of public health teams to focus on compliance and enforcement.

Dr. Tufton added that persons will now be able to pay for their permit online.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is recruiting more than 100 people for its Enforcement and Compliance Unit, aimed at tackling the perpetrators of illicit dumping.

The announcement was made by Executive Director of NSWMA Audley Gordon.

He was speaking at the garbage holding area in Norwood, St. James yesterday.

Mr. Gordon said the dumping of bulky waste is spreading like a cancer across the country, with many persons disposing of items such as old refrigerators and mattresses on the main roads.

Mr. Gordon said the NSWMA will partner with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to build out its enforcement team to apply the pressure on citizens to stop littering.

He said the agency’s more robust enforcement team will be rolled out across Jamaica next year.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says the Ministries of Finance, Labour and Health are perusing the ruling handed down by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) on doctors’ overtime rates.

The IDT ruled on Monday in favour of the doctors, following protest last week to push for the ruling to be handed down.

while the matter had been at the IDT since April this year the issue dates back to 2023.

During yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Dr. Tufton was questioned on whether or not his Ministry will challenge or honour the ruling.

Dr. Tufton said a decision will be made after the matter is discussed.

Dr. Tufton described as unfair, the backlash directed at the IDT over the delayed ruling.

The Minister said there is need for the process to be reformed.

As Jamaica observes national bullying week, the Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) is calling on the Government, schools, and other stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and ensure that children are meaningfully protected from bullying.

FWCF says a school policy stating that bullying is prohibited does not, by itself, protect children.

It says policies are only effective when schools have clear mechanisms to receive, investigate, and respond to complaints, protect children who report incidents, and ensure appropriate accountability.

FWCF notes that in some school environments, students who report misconduct risk being labelled an “informer” and subjected to further jeering or isolation, and this creates a culture of silence where children may conclude that speaking up will only make matters worse.

Project Officer at FWCF, Tasheera Thompson said children cannot be expected to keep speaking up, if safe environments have not been created for them to do so.

The foundation says Jamaica must also confront the absence of dedicated anti-bullying legislation establishing a comprehensive national framework for preventing, reporting, and investigating incidents.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said the Government is seeking more funding for the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme to provide additional grants to Hurricane Melissa victims.

The ROOFS Programme provides financial assistance to persons who are repairing their homes, following damage by the hurricane last year.

Several persons have complained about the slow pace of assistance, as they are yet to get a grant.

Speaking at an Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM) Strategic Planning and Budget Retreat yesterday, Dr. Holness said millions of dollars need to be found to pay out more grants.

He expressed hope that more funds will be allocated for the grants in a supplementary budget.

Dr. Holness promised that as soon as economic growth resumes, more government revenue will open up to fund additional hurricane relief grants.

He stressed that at the same time, the government is confronting public sector wage demands and a worsening drought situation.

Some Cuban medical professionals have returned to Jamaica to support health care delivery.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the return of 157 workers, combined with those who remained bring the number of Cubans medics in Jamaica to 200.

Jamaica and Cuba recently ended their decades-long medical cooperation creating a gap in the country’s health care workforce.

About 43 Cubans, who participated in the bi-lateral arrangement chose to remain in Jamaica and work under individual contracts.

Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Dr. Tufton welcomed the return and retention of the Cubans, while noting the continued need for healthcare personnel across the island.

Dr. Tufton added that Jamaica plans to recruit about 300 health care professionals from Nigeria.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is proposing implementation of a national water security plan, aimed at preventing future droughts from becoming a threat to the country’s economy.

In a statement, the Organization indicated that current drought conditions are having an adverse impact on households, agriculture and business activity.

According to Executive Director of the PSOJ Sacha Vaccianna-Riley, Jamaica needs to move beyond repeatedly responding to droughts, into building long-term water security.

Mrs. Vaccianna-Riley said while the Government is making important investments in water infrastructure, those in authority must state whether or not they are adequate to meet the demand for water.

She recommended ground water protection and desalination, as options to ensure that adequate water is available to drive economic output.