IRIE FM

The Supreme Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and its agents from carrying out any eviction or removal of property from the Jacob Taylor (Derby) Beach.

The ruling was made today after the community filed a suit to stop its eviction and to initiate the process to secure formal recognition of its legal tenure over the beach land.

President of Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JABBEM) Dr. Devon Taylor is welcoming the development.

According to Dr. Taylor, the land, which has been used for generations for fishing and related livelihood activities, was gifted to the community in 1968.

On August 17 this year, the NRCA posted notices to quit, giving the community members who are all licensed fisherfolk, just one month to vacate and surrender their workplaces.

Dr. Taylor said this eviction would inflict serious harm on a community that holds not only land rights but also prescriptive rights to the beach and adjoining sea under Jamaican common law, built up over decades of continuous, open use.

Independence Park Limited (IPL) and the Professional Football Jamaica limited (PFJL), are set to partner to host matches on a consistent basis during the upcoming Jamaica Premier League season.

The historic arrangement, is to ensure that league matches will be played on a quality surface while producing quality matches throughout the season.

Newly appointed Chairman of Independence Park Limited David Shirley says the aim is play a meaningful role in Jamaica’s football development.

In what will be a new innovation both the IPL and PFJL will be sharing operational costs for the use of the stadium during the season.

Both the National Stadium and Stadium East which comes under the auspices Independence Park Limited will be utilised, with the Stadium down to host major double headers major.

Shirley who took over the Chairmanship of IPL from The Honorable Mike Fennell recently, having served as Deputy Chairman for close to a decade, indicted the aim is to ensure the league will deliver high professional standards.

The Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC) was officially launched this morning at Jamaica House in Kingston.

JAMRROC will provide oversight for the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARRA), an entity that has been mandated to coordinate post-disaster reconstruction and long-term resilience-building.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the Committee Professor Peter Blair Henry said JAMRROC’s main job is to advise the prime minister and cabinet on selecting reconstruction projects for the fast-track NARRA process, as well as to observe, critically assess, and hold NARRA accountable.

Spokesperson on Health, Dr. Alfred Dawes, has also called on the Minister to hold accountable the officers responsible for what he describes as the failure to advance the long-promised expansion of the facility.

According to Dr. Dawes, his calls follow confirmation from the Procurement Commission (PPC) that, despite the Government’s 2022 announcement of plans to construct a 100-bed mental health facility at Bellevue Hospital, no procurement submission for the project has ever been presented to the commission.

The Spokesperson said the revelation directly contradicts previous comments made by Dr. Tufton about a procurement submission.

Dr. Dawes said the circumstances surrounding the Bellevue Hospital project raise serious questions about the Ministry’s internal oversight and require an independent examination of what was done over the past four years.

Firefighters are battling a blaze at the Haddon Disposal Site, in Walkerswood, St. Ann.

Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Audley Gordon told IRIE FM News, that the fire started yesterday afternoon.

He explained that the blaze has spread to an area which contained tyres.

This, Mr. Gordon said has resulted in thick, dark, smoke.

Opposition Spokesperson for persons with disabilities, Denise Daley, is calling for an urgent assessment of the staffing at the Salvation Army School for the Blind and other specialist institutions.

This, she said, is with a view to addressing existing gaps and ensuring that no child is denied access because the necessary support is unavailable.

Ms. Daley said following reports she is deeply concerned that the school is being forced to turn away students because of staffing shortages.

She emphasised that for children who are blind, visually impaired or living with multiple disabilities, access to specialised education and the appropriate support can make a significant difference in their development.

She also outlined that the necessary tools must be provided for disabled children for them to make meaningful contributions to society, to which they are entitled.

Ms. Daley stated that strengthening the sector means ensuring that there are enough trained teachers and support staff, access to appropriate technology and comfortable transportation.

She called for the Government to address the situation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith will represent Jamaica at the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, in Xiamen.

The event will start today, September 8, and will continue until Friday, September 11.

Johnson Smith says the investment fair serves as a major international platform for investment promotion and commercial cooperation.

This year’s staging will bring together hundreds of high-level representatives from Governments, businesses, financial institutions and investment promotion agencies.

The focus will be on international investment cooperation, cross-border promotion and business match-making.

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association La Sonja Harrison says the Government needs to mobilise an all-hands-on-deck approach to quickly repair the island’s schools, which were damaged by Hurricane Melissa last year.

Her comment comes in light of repair works which continue at a number of schools across the island despite yesterday’s start of the new academic year.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon noted that contingencies were put in place to ensure that classes could resume at schools where construction was still taking place.

She also noted that the safety of students is a priority and checks are ongoing to ensure that the contractors are implementing the proper protocols.

On a tour of several schools in Western Jamaica yesterday where Hurricane Melissa created major damage, Ms. Harrison said that while she sees the work at schools, there is a need for alacrity in construction.

She believes the Government could have garnered greater local and regional support to assist the rebuilding effort.

In the meantime, she said there is a need for improved security measures to protect children while repair works are taking place.

Administrators at the Balcombe Drive Primary and Infant School in St. Andrew held a sensitisation session with parents today.

It follows concerns regarding the safety of the school building after last Tuesday’s incident in which a concrete structure at the premises collapsed on two workmen.

One of the men died, while the other was treated.

Speaking with IRIE FM News today, the school’s acting principal, Yvette Foster, said that following the session, parents are anxious to have their children return for classes on Wednesday.

Ms. Foster said efforts continue to clear the rubble from the school and implement safety barriers for students not to venture near certain areas of the school premises.

She added that works are ongoing on an area to house water tanks, ensuring that students have water when school reopens.

Meantime, Ms. Foster is lauded parents and officials from the Education Ministry for their support following the tragedy at the school.

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), La Sonja Harrison, has renewed calls for the Government to upgrade dilapidated school buildings, ensuring that they are safe for children.

The call follows last week’s incident in which a concrete structure at the Balcombe Drive Primary School collapsed on two workmen, killing one and injuring another.

Harrison and other officials of the association toured the school on Friday.

During the tour, the school’s Principal, Yvette Foster, pointed to other sections of the infrastructure that are compromised.

Ms. Harrison said the situation at the school highlights the urgent need for an increase in the maintenance grants given to primary schools.

She also noted that the school plant at Balcombe Drive Primary and Infant School needs to be overhauled.

Ms. Harrison called on the Education Ministry to intervene.

Meantime, Ms. Harrison indicated that there are several schools that have not had any meaningful upgrade to their infrastructure since they were built.

She stated that such situations need to be addressed to prevent a recurrence while classes are in session.

Meantime, Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said the ministry’s building team is to submit a report on last week’s incident at the Balcombe Drive Primary and Infant School.

Speaking with the media today, she said an assessment of the school building is ongoing by building officers and engineers.