IRIE FM

The Opposition has chastised the Government for not erecting a single home for Hurricane Melissa-affected residents in eastern Westmoreland.

Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr. Dayton Campbell, pointed out that following the storm, the Government pledged to set up some modular container homes, but almost a year after, this promise remains unfulfilled.

Dr. Campbell raised questions about funding the Government said would be spent on constructing bases for container homes in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth.

Dr. Campbell added that the support for affected residents under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, is insufficient.

He was speaking at the public session of the 88th annual conference of the People’s National Party (PNP) at Independence Park in Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland on Sunday

Political commentator Linton Gordon has opined that presentations made by the People’s National Party at its annual conference in Westmoreland lacked the impetus and urgency needed to address concerns of residents still reeling from Hurricane Melissa.

The PNP moved its annual conference from Kingston to western Jamaica for the first time, symbolising that the party stands with affected citizens and that the conference brought more attention to the situation.

Gordon cited the speech by Party President Mark Golding, pointing out that Golding did not offer an immediate solution.

Gordon commended Golding for his suggestion that citizens be directly involved in the reconstruction process.

The company says the JN Money App, launched today (September 21), represents a significant step in its commitment to enhance the customer experience for Jamaicans at home and abroad.

The app supports customer transactions across key diaspora markets, including the United Kingdom, Canada and 12 States in the United States of America (USA).

Horace Hines, General Manager of JNMS, described the launch as a critical step in repositioning the company within an increasingly digital and competitive remittance landscape.

He said it provides customers with a faster, more intuitive and secure experience.

Mr Hines noted that the app is designed to align with customer behaviour, which is increasingly mobile-first.

Like similar platforms, he said the JN Money app places remittance services directly in customers’ hands, addressing the growing demand for 24/7 financial access.

He added that the app allows customers to complete transactions much faster, with fewer steps and without needing to visit a branch or an agent.

Chief of Medical Staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr. Carl Bruce has been acquitted of assault charges.

Dr. Bruce had been accused of attacking his colleague neuro-surgeon, Dr. Roger Hunter.

The allegation was made public in 2024 about an incident that reportedly occurred almost two decades ago. 

The matter was heard in the St. Andrew Parish Court by presiding judge Alwayne Smith. 

Defense lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson said his client is relieved. 

Dr. Hunter alleged that on January 31, 2007, he was in the planning room at the hospital preparing for surgery.

He told the court that Dr. Bruce demanded that he exit the room and physically attacked him.

Dr. Bruce had maintained his innocence.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has noted the importance of reports by both the police and residents about fatal shooting incidents as these strengthen accountability. 

Commissioner of INDECOM Hugh Faulkner was reacting to the killing of a man by officers in Seaford Town, Westmoreland on Friday.

Dead is 28 year old businessman, Jordan Smith otherwise called ‘Pepper’. 

Commissioner Faulkner said the weapons of the law enforcement officers were processed as well as interviews arranged. 

He said residents have refuted claims by the police as to what led to the incident.

Commissioner Faulkner said INDECOM is enquiring into the completeness of the information given to the Commission, given reports that spent shells were recovered after the processing of the scene.

More than 15,000 households are expected to receive disaster relief benefits under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters  (ROOFS) Programme within the next two weeks.

Minister of Labour and Social security Pearnel Charles Jr. explained that the latest round of payments is aimed at clearing a backlog of applicants who did not receive assistance during the first two phases of the programme.

Charles Jr. emphasized that the ministry is now at the point where it is looking to complete the process of providing assistance to eligible applicants.

He acknowledged that some households were not paid during phases one and two because of several issues encountered during the verification process.

He underscored the scale of the assistance already provided, saying the ministry has so far spent over $14 billion to provide benefits to over 56,000 households.

The minister noted that 529 homes have already been repaired by the Jamaica Defence Force with another 500 homes expected to be repaired.

In addition, 2,742 families are expected to benefit from container homes as part of the wider response.

Dancehall heavyweight Beenie Man says he is focused on his album Eminence and has no time for the haters.

He made the statement in a video shared on Instagram over the weekend, as he celebrated the progress of his 16-track album, produced by Kemar “Flava” McGregor.

Beenie Man has been a major topic of discussion across social media following a string of controversial statements, including comments made during a recent interview in which he said that without Beenie Man, there would be no Bounty Killer.

Bounty Killer has since responded with a diss track titled “Badda Dan Dem” and warned Beenie Man not to get ahead of himself.

Beenie Man subsequently responded to Bounty Killer, telling him, “Bounty, yuh song bad.”

The veteran deejay has also been generating headlines following a series of international interviews, including his recent comments surrounding the “Kouchie” controversy and his claims of having 187 number-one songs and 2,000 hit songs.

Meanwhile, there has been speculation about tension between Beenie Man and Eminence producer Kemar “Flava” McGregor, with both men appearing to drop hints of a fallout.

As of today, Eminence has fallen from the number-one spot and is currently at number four on the iTunes Top Reggae Albums chart.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding says he will make another attempt to bring to Parliament a bill aimed at reducing the qualifying period to acquire ownership of Government land by extended occupation.

He says the Crown Lands Reform Act 2026, will ask Parliament to reduce the period from 60 years to 25 years.

It is part of a promise by the People’s National Party to make land ownership possible for more Jamaicans.

Mr. Golding says he tried to have the bill tabled twice in July and was blocked, but intends to bring the matter back to Parliament when it resumes.

The Opposition Leader adds that he will be seeking, the support of both sides of the house to have the bill passed into law.

He spoke yesterday at the PNP’S 88th Annual Conference held in Westmoreland.

Mr. Golding outlined other measures that his party would implement to enable home ownership.

Residents and taxi operators blocked several roads in Westmoreland this morning over poor road conditions.

Roads in the Shrewsbury and Hertford area were among those impacted.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Member of Parliament, for Central Westmoreland Dwayne Vaz, says residents have been suffering from the deplorable conditions of the roads.

He says one of the roads was expected to be rehabilitated under a patching programme, but it has not commenced.

Mr. Vaz says while he continues to lobby for the road repairs, the National Works Agency (NWA) must explain to citizens the reasons for the work delay.

Upset residents of Seaford Town, Westmoreland staged a protest this morning, following the reported fatal shooting of a man by the police in the community on Friday.

Residents have identified the deceased, by his alias “Jordan” and “Pepper”.

Details in relation to the shooting incident, remain unclear as the police could not provide details.

However, residents say he was fatally shot during a police operation in the area.

They are demanding justice, as they claim his death was not justified.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is probing the matter.