IRIE FM

Tributes continue to pour in following the death of veteran entertainer Lieutenant Stitchie.

The deejay and gospel artist, whose given name is Cleveland Laing, died in hospital Monday (Sept. 28), one day before his 61st birthday.

His death comes less than 24 hours after his wife, Sophia Laing, confirmed that he had been hospitalised at Kingston Public Hospital while receiving treatment for a low blood count.

Since news of his death emerged, fans, artistes and other members of the entertainment fraternity have been sharing memories and paying tribute to the veteran artiste.

Music producer Danny Brownie tells Music News that Lt. Stitchie played an important role in inspiring him to establish his Main Street Records music label.

Dancehall artiste Mr. G also remembered Lt. Stitchie as a significant figure in Jamaican music.

In a tribute shared on Instagram, Mr. G described him as a reggae and dancehall icon who helped pave the way for generations of artistes.

Dancehall deejay Spragga Benz also paid tribute, recalling watching old videos of Stitchie performing and hailing him as a legend.

Stitchie became known to Jamaican audiences through the sound-system circuit in the 1980s and went on to record popular songs including “Wear Yuh Size” and “Natty Dread.” His career later expanded internationally with a recording deal with Atlantic Records in 1988.

In 1997, Stitchie turned his attention to gospel music and ministry after becoming a born-again Christian. He subsequently built a successful gospel career while remaining a respected figure among his peers across Jamaica’s music industry.

Stitchie had experienced significant health challenges in recent years, including a debilitating stroke in September 2024.

In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) for his contribution to Jamaican music.

Dr. Christopher Tufton is among several Health Ministers from the Americas, gathering for a high-level meeting in the United States to discuss new strategies on health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance, arboviral diseases and food safety.

The meeting, which starts today and will continue until Friday, October 2, is being held at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in Washington, D.C.

The event is the 63rd PAHO Directing Council and other governance meetings.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Abka Fitz-Henley, says that during the week, Member States will review major public health advances and challenges in the region.

Member States will also consider the adoption of new policies, strategies and plans of action that will shape regional cooperation in the years ahead.

Hoteliers are still awaiting millions of dollars in Hurricane Melissa insurance payouts, with operators forced to plug the financial gaps themselves.

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is sounding the alarm as the insurance industry’s September deadline for settling most claims draws to a close.

JHTA President O’Brian Heron says the problem is no longer simply the damage left behind by the hurricane.

He explains that for many operators, the new crisis is getting insurers to pay what they say is owed and getting that money in time to support businesses still struggling to recover.

He says 28 per cent of hotels have yet to reopen while operators continue to finance repairs out of their own pockets due to unresolved insurance claims.

In August, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the Insurance Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Insurance Brokers Association and the Loss Adjusters’ Association of Jamaica committed to settling the vast majority of Hurricane Melissa claims by the end of September, excluding complex and litigated matters.

However, Mr. Heron says the tourism sector is on course to miss that target.

He noted that a survey of JHTA members found that only 39 per cent of tourism claimants have received full settlement and payment.

That leaves 61 per cent still waiting somewhere in the claims process.

For an industry already dealing with the cost of rebuilding, Mr. Heron says the delays are creating a working capital squeeze.

He said claims are being paid slowly and settled short.

The Association is pressing for greater transparency, as the industry’s September settlement commitment comes due.

It wants insurers to publicly report how many commercial and tourism claims remain open and to provide every outstanding claimant with a named contact and a written timeline for resolution.

The JHTA is also calling on the FSC to ensure that its review of the average-clause mechanism takes into account the experiences of commercial and tourism policyholders and to publish its conclusions.

It further wants the industry and regulator to establish a formal catastrophe-claims protocol before the next major storm, including provisions to rapidly increase loss-adjuster capacity when a disaster strikes.

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development has completed a national survey of informal settlements in 13 of the 14 parishes.

Speaking during a JIS Think Tank recently, Chief Technical Director for Housing, Urban Renewal and Projects at the Ministry, Authrine Scarlett said St. James is the only parish not yet surveyed but surveying is expected to start by the end of this month.

Mrs. Scarlett said the survey will provide the Government with comprehensive, evidence-based information on the number and characteristics of squatter settlements including their socioeconomic conditions and infrastructure needs.

She explained that the findings will help determine which communities may be suitable for regularisation and which may require relocation.

She said that the National Squatter Management Policy being implemented will work hand in hand with this data to enable the Government to come up with concrete strategies and programmes to address squatting.

Prime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party Leader, Dr. Andrew Holness has urged his party’s central executive, to do right by the Jamaican people and not merely for the sake of remaining in government.

Prime Minister Holness issued the appeal while addressing a meeting of the party’s Central Executive on Sunday.

He told members not to become complacent in their responsibilities, adding that a fourth term should be coupled with continued improvements in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) has built a Non-Destructive Testing Laboratory (N.D.T.).

It aims to significantly improve structural safety and long-term resilience against future environmental impacts.

Developed as a critical response to natural disasters, such as the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, this specialized facility will assess hidden infrastructure damage across Jamaica.

A Non-Destructive Testing Lab is a facility where materials, components or structures are examined for defects or flaws using techniques that do not damage the item being tested, allowing for evaluation of its integrity without altering its functionality.

The lab is funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations body that helps countries use X-rays and other radiation, working through the agency’s office at the Planning Institute of Jamaica.

C.M.U. President Dr. Andrew Spencer said the lab’s use will go beyond the shipping sector, allowing material testing for buildings, bridges, roads and ports.

Meantime, Dean of the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technology, Dr. Kahuina Miller said the laboratory will boost practical learning for student engineers.

Men are being urged to not wait for warning signs before they seek medical attention especially with certain conditions such as prostate cancer.

Consultant Urologist at the Spanish Town Hospital and Government Senator Dr. Elon Thompson noted that about 28 percent of men, 40 years and older, reported ever having a digital rectal examination done.

He warned that waiting until symptoms appear is not an effective health strategy.

Dr. Thompson lamented that fear, embarrassment and misinformation are among the reasons men shy away from seeking medical intervention.

He stated that this culture must be discontinued.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said efforts continue to integrate Special Education Departments at standard public schools that have space to facilitate them.

She was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Savanna-La-Mar Inclusive High School in Westmoreland.

The high school expansion marks the next major phase in creating a complete inclusive educational community for students with special needs and will complement the already existing Savanna-La-Mar Inclusive Academy.

Dr. Morris Dixon said the Ministry will be replicating some aspects of the approach taken by the academy.

The Minister noted that increased interaction between students on the mainstream path and those with special needs helps to break down social barriers.

She said this ultimately allows children to become empathetic to individuals who are different from them.

The Works Ministry has observed some issues with liaisons assigned by Members of Parliament to monitor SPARK road projects in various constituencies.

Portfolio Minister Robert Morgan said the matter will be looked into and addressed.

He made the comment while responding to questions from Member of Parliament for South East St. Ann, Dr. Kenneth Russell, in Parliament on Tuesday.

Dr. Russell asked the minister to make information on the scope of work available. 

In response, Morgan pointed out that each MP is given a letter outlining the works to be undertaken on roads in their respective constituencies.

Executive Director of the National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris Ghartey has called for amendments to the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act to ensure that there is no delay in payment to contractors repairing schools.

She raised the issue at a webinar hosted by the Higher Education Task Force for Disaster Resilience (HEDE). 

The forum was the fourth in the task force’s National Resilience Dialogue Series which represents a set of seven national conversations on how Jamaica rebuilds after hurricane Melissa. 

Mrs. Harris Ghartey said a contractor can be sent in to repair schools under the emergency rules of the procurement act and carry out work which the Trust can assess on site.  

She noted that the FAA Act, which governs how public money is spent, requires a signed final contract, before any payment can be made.

Mrs. Harris Ghartey said amendments to the FAA Act can increase the pace of disaster recovery in the future.