IRIE FM

Twenty roads in Hanover have been targeted for repair at a cost of 600 million dollars under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) programme.

Many of the roadways have been in a state of disrepair for some time and needed urgent attention.

Community Relations Officer at the National Works Agency (NWA), Western Region, Janel Ricketts, outlined that the roads were chosen following consultation with residents and other stakeholders.

She also pointed out that works on some roads have already been completed, with a target of finishing all roads within 12 months.

Ms. Ricketts said the projects involve significant drainage improvement.

State Minister for Education Rhoda Moy Crawford has stated that there’s no evidence to suggest that learning loss has occurred among students following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

She was responding to critics who have suggested otherwise.

Last week, Opposition Spokesman on Education, Damion Crawford called on the Education Ministry to assess the level of learning loss among students impacted by the storm.

Speaking at the ceremonial opening of schools for 2026 at the Devon Primary & Infant School in Manchester yesterday, Ms. Crawford said she views the comments about learning loss as an attack on the hardworking educators.

She hailed all stakeholders, particularly those in the storm-affected regions for working tirelessly to ensure that learning continued.

According to Ms. Crawford every subject area in the Grade Six component of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) recorded improvements nationally.

Meantime, Ms. Crawford outlined that at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) impressive results were also recorded by the students. 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says Government is looking at securing additional funding to support road and infrastructure projects already underway.

He made the announcement during a recent meeting with Minister of Works Robert Morgan and the National Works Agency to review the progress of these projects across Jamaica and to ensure that the work being done remains within the budget.

The Prime Minister said the works are progressing, and he is especially mindful of the concerns being raised by Jamaicans about community and rural roads, where conditions remain difficult. 

He said through the SPARK Programme, more than 100 roads have been completed while also addressing drainage, water mains and other underground utilities that can affect road works.

The Prime Minister said he understands the frustration when a road project takes longer than expected but some of the challenges are beneath the surface, particularly old or missing water and sewer lines which require additional work before the road can be completed.

He said the Government will continue working with the resources available to improve roads across communitie while keeping national budget and fiscal targets in focus.

The People’s National Party (PNP) says the Government’s move to relocate the first group of residents from Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny is an important step towards addressing the circumstances faced by those affected by the recent demolition exercise.

More than 20 residents and families were displaced following the demolition, which was led by a private developer on August 11.

It stemmed from a long-running land dispute.

The Government has agreed to support the affected residents including surveying suitable land, identifying infrastructure requirements and exploring relocation subsidies for persons who may require assistance to secure alternative housing.

Trelawny Northern Constituency Chairman Dennis Meadows said the PNP welcomes the progress.

Mr. Meadows also welcomed the review directed by Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness into the operational role of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in evictions.

He said it is necessary and should result in clear protocols governing police involvement in such matters.

State Minister for Industry and Commerce, Delano Seiveright says Jamaican businesses must be prepared for the massive demand expected from the post-hurricane Melissa reconstruction. 

He notes that demand will be generated in areas such as logistics, engineering, construction and manufacturing. 

Mr. Seiveright says Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness recognized that the post-melissa response should not just replace what was lost.   

This led to the creation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRa) to help with transforming the country and increasing the pace of recovery.  

The minister is appealing to entrepreneurs and other businesses to become regularized and tax compliant in order to maximize on the looming opportunities

He was speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA) Business Development Centre yesterday.

State Minister for Education Rhoda Moy Crawford said the tents donated by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), being used as classrooms at some hurricane-affected schools, are sufficiently ventilated.

Questions have been raised about the practicality of the tents as classrooms for the nation’s children.

Speaking at the ceremonial opening of schools at the Devon Primary and Infant School in Manchester yesterday, she said the tents are properly ventilated, but severe weather conditions must be considered.

The Education Ministry recently outlined that 57 schools were fully rehabilitated for the start of the school term, with 95 more expected to be finished by the end of September.

The State Minister reiterated that schools are being built to be more resilient to combat future hurricanes.

Councillor for the Waterford Division in St. Catherine, Dr Fenley Douglas, is calling on the Government to increase the allocation for the school feeding programme.

He argued that the allocation is inadequate, amid rising food costs and the impact of the El Niño weather system on the agriculture sector.

Speaking to IRIE FM News following the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation’s Monthly meeting, Dr. Douglas said many schools offer rice, soup and porridge to children.

He said these lack proper nutritional value.

Dr. Douglas stressed that poor nutrition impacts academic performance in children.

The councillor argued that Government should match the allocation for the programme with economic realities.

Opposition Spokesman on Education Damion Crawford says up to 50 per cent of schools are not functioning appropriately and are unsafe for learning.

He made the statement at a People’s National Party (PNP) press conference yesterday.

The statement comes as the new academic year began last Monday with repairs ongoing, even as classes resumed.

Many schools, particularly in western Jamaica, were badly damaged by Hurricane Melissa last year.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon informed the nation that contingencies have been put in place to ensure safety at schools.

According to Mr. Crawford, the Government is focused on the fact that schools are open as opposed to the fact that they are not functional or unsafe.

He chastised the Government for only completing construction on 57 schools of the more than 600 which were damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

There’s no backlog of expungement cases in Jamaica.

That’s according to Justice Minister Delroy Chuck who provided the update at the Judiciary’s Eastern Region Assize Church Service at the East Queen Street Baptist Church.

Expungement refers to the legal process of removing past conviction from a criminal or police record.

Passed in February 2026, the amended Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act broadens eligibility for criminal record expungement.

According to Mr. Chuck, the number of persons appointed to the Criminal Records Board was increased to speed up expungement applications.

The Minister explained that expungement is another mechanism that should encourage accused persons to plead guilty to their offences.

State Minister for Education Rhoda Moy Crawford is calling on labourers, who are part of post-Hurricane Melissa school repair projects to operate with decency and integrity.

She was speaking at the Ceremonial Re-opening of Schools for 2026​ at the Devon Primary & Infant School in Manchester this morning.

The State Minister outlined that labourers have been and continue to display behaviours on the sites that are hampering the pace at which work is progressing.

Among the challenges she noted was tardiness consistently through working hours.

Ms. Crawford said there is a need for more working labourers.

The State Minister noted that the Education Ministry, contractors, and supervisors are not able to provide 24-hour supervision to labourers.

Meanwhile, she disclosed that in a matter of weeks, HEART graduates will be part of the workforce undertaking recovery works at the affected schools.