IRIE FM

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith has welcomed the visa application fee waiver for Jamaican appellants appearing before the United Kingdom Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Jamaican appellants whose matters come before the Privy Council, as well as counsel appearing on their behalf  will now benefit from a new arrangement for Commonwealth countries under which visa application fees for travel to the UK in connection with proceedings before the court are waived.

Senator Johnson Smith described the measure as a practical step in facilitating access to justice for Jamaicans whose matters reach the Privy Council.

Usually, if an appellant or counsel intends to attend a hearing in person, travel to London would require a UK visa.

The visa cost associated with doing so has been a practical consideration for members of Jamaica’s legal profession and their clients for more than two decades.

Mrs. Johnson Smith said the matter has formed part of discussions over several years with British authorities during visits to the UK as well as official visits paid here, when the practical implications of the visa requirement for Jamaican counsel and litigants before the Privy Council were among the issues she raised.

The Minister said the new development would clearly be felt directly by members Jamaica’s legal and justice fraternities, who have largely recognized or absorbed the cost of visa fees as a routine part of representing clients before the Privy Council.

President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Kenneth Anglin is calling for better scheduling of road repair work in Ocho Rios following this morning’s major traffic grid-lock.

The congestion left motorists stuck in traffic for up to three hours with students and people heading to work among those affected.

Speaking to IRIE FM News, Mr. Anglin said the delays hampered productivity and disrupted work and learning activities.

He noted that while road repairs and infrastructure upgrades are welcomed the work should be properly timed to minimize disruption.

Another concern arising from this morning’s grid-lock was motorists’ indiscipline which reportedly made the problem worse.

Mr. Anglin lamented that the situation could have been better managed if more traffic police had been deployed to the area.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) will be establishing no-signage zones in the Corporate Area effective October 1. 

It will also  identify appropriate locations for signs and billboards. 

The move comes as a growing number of signs and billboards in sections of the Corporate Area are creating a risk to public order, safety and for persons living with disabilities who use public spaces.  

The issue was raised by Chairman of the KSMAC and Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby at the corporation’s monthly meeting on Tuesday. 

He said that of particular concern are party signs which remain positioned along roadways long after those events have ended. 

Mayor Swaby said the KSAMC will be looking at additional measures to deal with the issue. 

Mayor Swaby said maintaining clear and orderly public spaces cannot be the responsibility of the KSAMC alone.

The initiative was conducted by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) and the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ)

Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby gave the update at the monthly meeting of the KSAMC on Tuesday.

Mayor Swaby noted that the first phase of the initiative allowed for an assessment of businesses and property owners with outstanding property tax.

He added that the KSAMC also collected $2.6 million for signs and billboards.

Mayor Swaby said over 430 properties were identified as being in arrears of about $162 million.

Motorists traversing sections of Ocho Rios, St Ann were left disgruntled this morning, as they encountered lengthy delays getting in and out of the town due to road works.

Motorists heading towards St Ann’s Bay complained of being stuck in traffic for hours, with traffic stretching to Drax Hall and other roads including Milford Road.

Works being carried out in the vicinity of Island Village, resulted in single lane traffic earlier and led to gridlock.

One motorist heading into Ocho Rios early this morning, said he came around a bend in the road and came upon the sign indicating road works.

Another motorist said indiscipline among drivers made the situation worse.

Many people were late for work and students late for school and some lamented that if more officers were deployed the situation would have been better.

This in the wake of reports of 2 sexual assault cases.

One involves the abduction and rape of a 10-year-old girl in Mineral Heights on Tuesday, while the other relates to the rape of an elderly woman in Lionel Town.

A statement from the Ministry of National Security, said the JCF delegation will identify opportunities for strengthened intervention and support.

Portfolio Minister Dr Horace Chang expressed concern over a number of serious incidents of violence reported since the start of September, including violence against young people, as well as violence perpetrated by young people.

The Minister’s concern follows the fatal stabbing of a 13-year-old girl in Flanker, St James, on Thursday, September 3, during an altercation involving other teenage girls.

Since the start of September, there have been four reported incidents involving fatal stabbing or chopping, including the St James incident.

Dr Chang noted that the circumstances surrounding the St James stabbing, including reports that the conflict began through interactions on social media, and have highlighted the need for greater attention to the way young people use and interact on social media platforms.

He said the Government will examine measures to better manage social media use among youth, particularly where online disputes and interactions can contribute to real world conflict and violence.

He said the Government’s response must combine decisive action against those who commit serious crimes with measures to prevent violence and address the circumstances in which it develops.

The recent incidents also highlight the need for a different approach to violence prevention and intervention.

He said while the police continue efforts to confront gang violence, organised criminality and other serious crimes, violence involving children and young people, including incidents of interpersonal conflict and violence perpetrated by youth, requires complementary interventions focused on prevention, early intervention, social support and community engagement.

The Government will therefore pursue a series of coordinated approaches to address the different forms, and drivers of, violence, with increased coordination among case managers operating in affected schools and communities.

These efforts require collaboration with businesses, faith based organisations and other community stakeholders to strengthen coordination, information sharing and community support, to ensure that appropriate interventions are activated where young people and vulnerable persons may be at risk.

The Minister urged stakeholders to remain vigilant and to seek appropriate intervention where there are signs of bullying, threats, escalating conflict or other behaviours.

A high level police probe has been launched into a triple murder in Robin’s Bay, St Mary, yesterday.

Dead are, 60-year-old recording artiste and businessman Marlon James, otherwise called Marlon B; 42-year-old Mason Peter-John Fagan, otherwise called Powee; and 22-year-old Sazaree Clarke, otherwise called Joel, all from Robin’s Bay.

Reports are that about 1:40 P.M., the three men were inside a bar in the community when a Toyota Axio motor car approached.

It is alleged that a gunman exited the vehicle, entered the bar and opened gun fire, hitting all three men.

The police were alerted and the 3 men were taken hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Commander for the St Mary Police Superintendent Anthony Wallace, sought to reassure residents that officers have deployed to the community to maintain order.

This follows the death of Supervising Engineer, 58-year-old Clifton James, last week.

Works Minister Robert Morgan gave the update on a tour of the project site, yesterday.

Mr Morgan said China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is expected to report to the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) about how safety at the site will be improved.

He added that the National Works Agency (NWA) has been instructed to review safety protocols at all work sites islandwide.

Mr Morgan assured that efforts will be made to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Managing director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), Stephen Edwards, said the overall Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project is approximately 87 per cent complete, encompassing the Montego Bay Bypass, Long Hill Bypass, and upgrades to Barnett Street and West Green.

Meanwhile, Works Minister Robert Morgan, who toured the project yesterday said it represents a major investment in the future of Western Jamaica.

He said the bypass will provide motorists with an alternative to the congestion along Howard Cooke Boulevard, improving access to Montego Bay, Hanover and Westmoreland, while supporting movement to key commercial, tourism and business areas.

On tolling, Mr Morgan said the mechanism is still under consideration by the Government and will require Cabinet discussion.

JTA President La Sonja Harrison made the statement while on a tour today of schools in St. Elizabeth which were damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

On today’s tour Mrs. Harrison said she just found out that teachers were transferred from at least two schools in the parish without any consultation with the teachers union.

She said teachers and students from some 3 schools were sent to the Middle Quarters Primary yet works were not prioritized at that institution.