IRIE FM

The National Water Commission (NWC) is urging the public to continue reporting water leaks, as it works to respond more quickly to reports.

The call comes after residents in Sedburgh, Manchester, reported a water leak near the Holmwood Technical High School, while some residents reported having little or no water in their pipes.

NWC Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager, Delano Williams, says the report was received yesterday and the issue is being resolved.

He says NWC teams have been responding to reports from customers, but acknowledges that there are challenges in getting to some areas quickly.

Mr. Williams is encouraging residents to use the NWC mobile app to submit photos and GPS locations to help teams pinpoint the areas and better address the reports.

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is raising concerns about permits issued by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) for reported wetland removal and development along an approximately five-kilometre stretch of the north coast road in Falmouth, Trelawny.

In a statement, JET highlighted six permits it said are associated with five sites in the area.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, noted that according to the Town and Country Planning (Trelawny parish) Development Order, 2013, the areas associated with these permits are zoned for conservation.

Mrs. Rodriguez-Moodie said JET’s concerns come at a time when the Government has itself highlighted the importance of wetlands to Jamaica’s development and resilience.

She said JET has written to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) seeking information and documentation relating to the permits.

These include the environmental and technical assessments undertaken, how the conservation zoning was considered, whether cumulative impacts were assessed, what mitigation or restoration measures were required, and whether comments or objections were received from other government entities.

She said JET has also requested copies of the permits.

According to the CEO, JET has been unable to access copies of the permits through NEPA’s online permit/application tracking system.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association wants the Government to clamp down on parents of students on the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) who do not attend parent-teacher meetings.

According to President Lasonja Harrison, only parents who attend at least three-quarters of annual PTA meetings should receive PATH benefits.

She says such a measure would also help the schools to help parents better support their children.

In the meantime, she is calling for a mentorship programme for students to assist parents and teachers in guiding children.

Eleven more men are expected to file a lawsuit against the State in relation to their detention prior to the demolition of houses in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, two weeks ago.

Attorney Donnovan Collins, whose law firm is handling the proceedings, says instructions from the men are being finalised before the lawsuit is filed in the Supreme Court.

Earlier this month, nine men filed the claims, seeking damages for, among other things, false imprisonment and breaches of their constitutional rights.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Mr. Collins says he is hopeful that the documents for the additional men will be filed in court soon.

Some small business owners are expressing concern about the impact of the water restrictions, as the National Water Commission’s (NWC) adjusted supply schedule for Kingston and St. Andrew takes effect today.

Under the new schedule, water will be supplied between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. daily until further notice.

The NWC says the measure is aimed at conserving available water resources, as storage at the Hermitage Dam continues to decline.

Storage at the dam is now at 31.4 per cent of capacity.

One restaurant owner in Kingston says the schedule is concerning, as her business operates beyond the 6 P.M. cut-off.

She says she is worried about the impact on the full operation of the restaurant.

The new schedule comes as the NWC continues to manage severe drought conditions with prohibition orders already in effect in seven parishes.

The orders restrict the use of water for non-essential purposes in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary, Portland, St. Ann and St. Catherine.

Manchester and Clarendon are expected to be added to the list, as the water shortage persists.

But for one Manchester-based nail technician, water shortages are nothing new.

Alex says she has long relied on tank water to keep her business operating but is concerned about the expansion of the restrictions.

In the meantime, President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Emile Leiba says the measures are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s water resources.

However, he says the authorities must continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure the measures remain effective.

Opposition Spokesperson on Housing and Sustainable Living, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris is chastising the Government for failing to honour its commitment to the residents of Ruthven Towers Apartments in New Kingston.

According to Senator Morris, some four years after the apartments were sold to the residents, they are still unable to get their property documents.

He describes the situation as unacceptable and disgraceful.

Senator Morris says the residents of Ruthven Towers engaged in legitimate transactions with the National Housing Trust (NHT) and it is the duty of the NHT to deliver to these residents.

He is asking the NHT and the Prime Minister to state the true position regarding the land on which these apartments were built.

Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice, (JFJ), Mickel Jackson is calling on Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding to resume talks on constitutional reform.

Talks have stalled with the Opposition-rejecting suggestions that it’s delaying Jamaica’s transition to a republic.

It says, Government’s failure to engage in meaningful bi-partisan-dialogue is the reason for the delay.

There is disagreement over the retention of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the country’s final appellate court.

The Opposition wants this changed to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Speaking at the Lay Magistrates’ Association of Jamaica’s Golden Scale Awards in Manchester on Saturday, Ms.Jackson said despite recent reports about the leadership of the CCJ, Jamaica should still make it, its final appellate court.

Ms. Jackson cited the challenges in accessing justice through the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

She said the Jamaican people have waited long enough and it’s time for constitutional reform.

President of the All Voice Route Taxi Association, Lorraine Finnikin is questioning the motive of individuals who are developing flyers, hinting at protest action by public transport operators next month.

The flyers suggest that the alleged 5-day taxi strike will begin on September 7 which is the start of the new school year.

The alleged protests are reportedly over matters such as the demerit point system and traffic tickets.

Mr. Finnikin said some issues are being faced by the sector that require strike action and while he did not list those issues he said the demerit point system is not one of them.

This, as the government is reviewing the matter.

On the issue of traffic tickets, Mr. Finnikin said operators can take that problem to court.

Mr. Finnikin questioned whether the creation of these flyers was politically motivated.

Speaking at the St Elizabeth Justices of the Peace (JPs) Association awards ceremony, yesterday, He highlighted murders in the parish and their link to interpersonal conflicts.

He said while overall major crimes are down by 23 per cent murders remain high with 22 committed in the division so far, when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Superintendent Minto noted that conflicts among relatives and intimate partners accounted for over 60 per cent of the murders.

He is also appealing to JPs to assist in promoting peaceful resolution to disputes.

Gender Minister Olivia Grange expressed satisfaction with the construction, as she toured the facility, on Thursday.

This is the final of the three shelters Ms Grange committed to establish to provide safe spaces for women who live in abusive relationships.

The Gender Ministry will officially take charge of the latest facility on September 1.

Soon after, it will be staffed and operationalised with the date for its opening to the public to be announced.

In the last few years, the Ministry completed and began operating two shelters for women, as part of the Government’s strategy to eliminate domestic violence and provide a therapeutic environment for women to rebuild their lives.

Grange said the completion of this third shelter enables the Government to provide much needed services to vulnerable women.