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22 leases have been signed by entrepreneurs, who will soon start production at the Amity Hall / Bridge Pen Agro Park, in St. Catherine.

The park is being operated in tandem with the Amity Hall / Bridge Pen irrigation system.

The system will supply water to about 1000 acres of farm land.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green noted that both projects were implemented with the aim of attracting investors who are ready to start production.

The Minister noted that a built-in solar photo-voltaic system will help save about $10 million in energy costs.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) does not have a reconstruction mandate as part of its operations.

The disclosure was made by Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon as she addressed the public debate on whether or not ODPEM should have led the island’s reconstruction efforts, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa a year ago.

Commenting on the matter at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, the Minister said ODPEM’s role is to prepare the country in the event of a natural disaster.

She said based on global analysis, a fit-for-purpose entity has driven rebuilding efforts in countries such as Peru.

The South American country’s reconstruction programme was launched after the devastating 2017 floods, which caused extensive damage to infrastructure.

Peru had established a dedicated reconstruction authority which later transitioned into the National Infrastructure Authority with responsibility for executing major national projects.

Dr. Morris Dixon said the Government revised the global recovery model to match the Jamaican situation, hence the creation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRa).

One year after Hurricane Melissa, some businesses in Western Jamaica have reopened, but the struggle to recover continues.

Shanice Gibbs reports on the business owners still counting the cost of the category five system in, Hurricane Melissa: 1 Year Later – Businesses Open But Not Recovered.

Close to 50 percent of Jamaican consumers surveyed say they plan to spend more this Christmas than they did last year.

Additionally, more than half of the 600 persons surveyed are planning to use their personal savings to fund various activities for the season.

This, despite consumer confidence being low and expectations being high that the economy will get worse, over the next 12 months.

Executive Chairman of Market Research Services, Don Anderson made the disclosure while presenting the confidence indices for the third quarter of 2026.

He said 70 percent of those surveyed say they intend to participate in activities for Christmas while the remainder had no special plan.

48 percent said they expect to participate in family gatherings while 17 percent plan to renovate or decorate their homes.

Another 11 percent of consumers are planning to spend on entertainment activities.

Mr. Anderson said consumers will finance these activities by various means including personal savings.

Mr. Anderson said those who indicated they have no Christmas plan as yet, also expressed an intent to spend more for the season. 

He said most Jamaicans plan to use discount offers for their Christmas shopping.

Water Minister Matthew Samuda has stated that the National Water Commission’s (NWC) request for a 51% tariff increase is not just about raising prices to fix problems, but also about inviting public accountability.

Earlier this month, the NWC disclosed that it applied to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) for a 51 per cent tariff increase.

The application is being reviewed by the regulator.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Black River to Arlington Pipeline Project yesterday, Mr. Samuda noted that the increase is being requested in a graduated way over five years.

The Water Minister said there are other things that the NWC will be doing, including refinancing parts of its debt that carry high interest rates.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda stated that to achieve productivity, the NWC will be holding staff accountable and utilizing best-in-class technology.

The Government said it was not pressured by any country to abstain from a United Nations resolution vote, calling for an end to the United States’ long standing economic embargo against Cuba.

Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon made the comment at a post-Cabinet press briefing, yesterday.

Dr. Morris Dixon was responding to concerns raised about how Jamaica voted on the resolution, including from the Opposition, which argued that it represents a departure from Jamaica’s foreign policy on the matter.

The Government said it took the decision because the resolution’s language required amendment to support constructive engagement between Cuba and the United States.

Dr. Morris Dixon noted that several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations decided to change their usual voting patterns on the resolution.

Last year, all 14 CARICOM countries voted to support the call to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba.

Dr. Morris Dixon reiterated that reforms are required to boost the advocacy in ending the embargo against Cuba.

48 housing units have been completed under the Government’s Semi-Permanent Housing Solution Project.

The programme provides safer accommodation for eligible families displaced by Hurricane Melissa, including those whose homes require more than roof repairs.

The housing solutions include units provided through the National Housing Trust (NHT), as well as housing solutions provided by the Chinese government.

An update on the project was provided by Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle during a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

He said that as of October 23, 28 units have been completed by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, while another 20 units were done through the Local Government Ministry.

Commander Gayle added that the NHT has provided approximately $2.8 billion in hurricane relief grants to contributors under the Shelter Recovery Programme.

A year ago today, heavy rains and fierce winds battered Jamaica, destroying the country’s infrastructure and private property, particularly in western Jamaica.

St. Elizabeth was one of the parishes which felt the wrath of the Category 5 hurricane. It was devastation across the parish, from the capital, Black River, to the small communities in the hills and valleys.

In this instalment of Hurricane Melissa: one year later – A school restored..Natalie Campbell revisits one rural school coming back from disaster.

Jamaica joined 25 countries in abstaining from today’s vote on a United Nations resolution, calling for an end to the United States’ longstanding economic embargo against Cuba.

It marks the first time that Jamaica has opted to abstain from voting on the matter.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing this morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said Jamaica’s decision to abstain represents a shift in government policy.

She noted, however, that Jamaica remains concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Cuba.

Mrs. Johnson Smith noted that yesterday, the Government moved a motion on the economic and humanitarian situation in Cuba.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said the motion moved away from simply calling for an end to the embargo, and asked Parliament to, among other things, support constructive engagement between Cuba and the United States, grounded in mutual respect and peaceful dialogue.

This is aimed at reducing economic restrictions and other barriers to international trade, finance and investment, while facilitating Cuba’s progressive integration into the international system.

Mrs. Johnson Smith outlined aspects of Jamaica’s position, which were presented before the UN earlier today.

One year after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of St. Elizabeth, some farmers from the breadbasket parish are still counting their losses.

Shanice Gibbs highlights one Donigal farmer’s fight to rebuild, in this instalment of Hurricane Melissa: one year later – The farmer who lost $50 million.