IRIE FM

Gender Minister Olivia Grange has signed a contract with technology firm Amber Innovations to develop a mobile app to enable people in domestic violence situations to call for help.

The signing was carried out at the Ministry’s headquarters in New Kingston yesterday.

Minister Grange said that the app, dubbed Jamsafe, would provide an innovative solution for women and men facing abuse and needing help.

She noted that the app’s development will not cost taxpayers, as Amber Innovations has committed to taking on the 80 million-dollar initiative.

The app would be monitored by the Bureau of Gender Affairs and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Ms. Grange said Jamsafe will allow users to press a single button to call for help.

It will also connect users to government services including counselling.

It would function without data or credit.

The Jamsafe app will complement the National 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline run by the Ministry.

Minister Grange said the first version of the app should be ready for testing and deployment by the end of the year.

The Government will establish a scholarship in honour of the late Vincent Stephen “Franno” Francis.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange made the announcement at the thanksgiving service celebrating the renowned track-and-field coach’s life at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew today.

Ms. Grange said the scholarship will benefit a student-athlete at the University of Technology Jamaica (UTECH).

Discussions about the scholarship’s establishment will include the Government, UTECH and the late coach’s younger brother, Paul Francis.

Mr. Francis passed away after a period of illness on July 4.

He was 63 years old.

Among the successful athletes impacted by his training are Kishane Thompson, Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Tajay Gayle, Sherone Simpson and Brigitte Foster Hylton.

Water Minister Matthew Samuda has reiterated that the impending water prohibition order is intended to help prevent a shortage of the commodity in critical areas, such as schools.

Noting the learning loss already experienced by students in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Samuda says all efforts must be made to prevent any recurrence.

He said preventive measures must be put in place to ensure that water unavailability does not hinder students’ education.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says that while the events which led to the recent demolition of homes in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, were set in motion long before his time as Jamaica’s leader, it is now on him to correct them.

Dr. Holness made the remark while speaking at a house handing-over ceremony in St. Ann yesterday.

Expressing concern for the displaced families, the Prime Minister committed to developing a structured programme to tackle the wider issue of informal settlements.

This, he noted, is essential to prevent tragedies from recurring.

Dr. Holness said the conversation has to change to how more houses can be constructed in formal communities at a faster pace, and at prices that people can afford.

As the National Water Commission gets ready to implement strict prohibition orders starting on Monday, car wash operators are being urged to use raw water to ensure business continuity.

When the Government announced the water use restriction orders last week, several car wash operators lamented the ban’s potential impact on their businesses.

This as the orders prohibit the use of piped water for non-essential activities such as washing cars.

Speaking on the matter while providing a Ministerial update to the Jamaica Information Service, Water Minister Matthew Samuda said the operators will have to extract untreated water from the environment.

He said the orders will remain in effect until the Meteorological Service sees it fit to lift them.

The police have charged one of the men alleged to be involved in the brawl at a beach party in Discovery Bay, St. Ann on Sunday.

He is 43-year-old Dave Taylor of Hartsdale Road, New York, in the United States of America.

Taylor has been charged with the offence of unlawful wounding.

Reports are that during the event, there was a confrontation between a group of men and two teen boys.

The teens were injured.

Taylor was later identified as one of the men involved and was arrested while trying to flee Jamaica on Tuesday.

He was placed on an identification parade, during which he was pointed out and later charged.

Taylor was granted bail in the sum of $1 million.

As part of his bail conditions, Taylor was ordered to surrender all travel documents and warned not to interfere with any witnesses.

He is also required to report to the Constant Spring police station weekly.

Taylor is scheduled to reappear in court on Tuesday, September 22.

Another man who was arrested in St. Ann yesterday in relation to the incident is to be placed on an identification parade at a later date.

Investigations continue.

In the meantime, Taylor’s lawyer, Donovan Collins, says his client has maintained his innocence.

He said his client was not involved in the altercation and was merely a patron at the event.

“We are hard-working people.”

That is the declaration of one of the men detained prior to the demolition of his house in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, on Tuesday.

Jazaine McKnight is among over 30 men who intend to file a lawsuit against the State for false imprisonment and breach of constitutional rights, stemming from the incident.

Speaking with IRIE FM News today, Mr. McKnight explains that his house was demolished while he was being held at the Falmouth police station.

He says the police also confiscated their mobile phones and refused to say why they were being detained.

Mr. McKnight indicates that he was unable to save anything, as he lost items, including washing machine, stove, food and jewellery.

He says the demolition has affected him negatively.

Mr. McKnight says he has been living in the community for 13 years.

He is insisting that if he and other residents had prior notice to vacate the lands, they would have moved.

Mr. McKnight is pleading with the relevant authorities to assist him and other residents.

Opposition Spokesperson on Land, Lothan Cousins, has called on the Government to invoke the Local Improvements Community Amenities Act to protect residents impacted by the demolition of homes in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny.

The demolition was carried out on Tuesday, resulting in the displacement of several families.

The exercise was reportedly undertaken by the private owner of the property, following a decades-long court battle.

It has been reported that the exercise was halted by political representatives and that the crew indicated they will complete the demolition at a later date.

Cousins, along with Opposition Leader Mark Golding and other officials from the People’s National Party, visited the community yesterday.

Mr. Cousins noted that tents given to those already affected are not the solution.

He noted that invoking the legislation will help prevent more demolition.

Meanwhile, Constituency Chairman of Northern Trelawny, Dennis Meadows, stated that the residents deserve better.

The Social Security Ministry is continuing its distribution of relief supplies to families affected by the demolition of their homes in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny.

Items distributed by teams from the Ministry include food and toiletries.

Providing an update to IRIE FM News, State Minister Donovan Williams says social workers did assessments for about 40 families.

He said young mothers and their babies were given supplies yesterday, while general supply distribution to residents was conducted today.

Mr. Williams points out that the relief efforts are multi-faceted, as representatives of various Government agencies are involved.

He notes that counselling support is also being provided to some traumatised residents.

The State Minister noted that residents appreciate the support.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says his administration will find ways to support the families affected by the demolition exercise in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny.

He notes, however, that the Government will act cautiously so the response does not set a precedent that is not sustainable.

Speaking while handing over a house in St. Ann this afternoon, Dr. Holness said he will address the incident once he has been apprised of all the details.

The Prime Minister reiterated his aversion to squatting, while renewing his commitment to ensuring Jamaicans have equal opportunity to land and housing.