IRIE FM

Written By: Sugar Ray Thomas 

The Kingston Central Police Division say they remain committed to removing gangs from the space.

This after the recent arrest and charge of 19 members of the ‘Genasyde Gang’.

The accused have been charged with offences under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act.

Officer in charge of Operations for the Kingston Central Police, Deputy Superintendent Randy Grant, said a number of the gang members operated in the division.

DSP Grant was speaking with Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness while on a tour of the division recently.

Investigations revealed that the Genasyde Gang engaged in a string of serious and violent crimes, including murders, shootings and robberies between 2021 and 2026 in St. James, St. Catherine, Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Thomas.

Amidst renewed discussions over the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) being the region’s final court, one Jamaican attorney has highlighted that there is greater mistrust among British people about the integrity of their judges, when compared to Jamaicans’ response to local ones.

Bert Samuels was citing a finding from a Transparency International report following the publication of a recent article about CCJ President, Justice Winston Anderson.

The article said that the President has been accused by a majority of his fellow judges of governing the regional court in an authoritarian manner, among other allegations.

Since its publication, there have been concerns that the article will be used as ammunition for persons who are against the CCJ as the region’s final court instead of the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Mr. Samuels said there is no indication that judges in the UK are more incorruptible than those who serve in Jamaica or the Caribbean.

As the Government continues to build out the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer has turned to Peru to examine its resilience reconstruction practices.

Ambassador Antony Anderson has been in the South American country since yesterday and will remain there until Thursday, August 13.

His presence in Peru is part of plans to visit foreign rebuilding programmes where he will adopt proven international execution models, evaluate resilient construction methodologies firsthand and identify potential pitfalls to avoid during Jamaica’s recovery efforts.

Ambassador Anderson, who will meet with technical experts and officials and tour sites, including hospitals, schools and health facilities, is assessing Peru’s reconstruction programme, following the devastating El Niño Costero floods of 2017.

Peru’s approach has gained international attention for its resilience planning and rebuilding.

Anderson says the visit is about ensuring that NaRRA applies best practices in rebuilding with speed and resilience.

The CEO will also engage directly with stakeholder groups on communications, community mobilisation, stakeholder management and building construction capacity.

The Peruvian visit is Ambassador Anderson’s first to the South American country since assuming leadership of NaRRA.

The visit comes as NaRRA ramps up its mobilisation and operationalisation phase.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says wage negotiations with the Finance Ministry are expected to continue tomorrow.

This, after talks ended last Wednesday without an improved offer from the Ministry.

JTA President Mark Malabver says the parties were unable to reach an agreement on the union’s 28-point claim.

He says negotiations are expected to resume Tuesday at 2 P.M., when the union expects the Ministry to make a new offer.

Mr. Malabver notes that if no acceptable offer is made, teachers may take action at the start of the new school year.

The President is also hoping that the JTA will receive an offer which can be discussed further during its annual conference this month.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the island’s security forces must have discipline and respect in the use of weapons.

He made the statement during a tour of the Kingston Central Police Division.

According to Dr. Holness, the island’s security forces must find a way to be seen as protectors.

While acknowledging that citizens can sometimes frustrate members of the security forces, the Prime Minister urged officers to remain disciplined and professional.

Dr. Holness explained that if the security forces can remain professional, the island’s children will not only look up to officers because they are carrying a gun, but because of how officers conduct themselves.

The Prime Minister believes this will steer children away from becoming criminals and will seek to be law-abiding citizens and public servants.

One of the nation’s renowned attorneys, Bert Samuels, says a recent article alleging a deep divide in the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has nothing to do with the integrity of the Court.

The article, published by a Trinidad newspaper, noted that CCJ President, Justice Winston Charles Anderson, has been accused by a majority of his fellow judges of governing the regional court in an authoritarian manner, among other allegations.

Since its publication, there have been concerns that the article will be used as ammunition for persons who are against the CCJ as the region’s final court instead of the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

However, speaking with IRIE FM News, Mr. Samuels said the article is no indication of how the Court handles cases.

He said the CCJ will not fail because of the article.

Mr. Samuels also called on the public to allow the CCJ President a chance to defend himself against the allegations.

Jamaica ended the World Athletics Under 20 Championships with eight medals including a gold and two bronze on Sunday’s final day in Eugene Oregon

The gold medal won by the women’s 4 by 100 metres relay team along with Joseph Salmon bronze in the men’s discus and the men’s 4 by 100 metres bronze medal effort.

Jamaica opened the final day on the track mining gold in the women’s 4 by 100 metres relay when the team of Sashana Johnson, Theinna – lee Terrelonge, Natrece East and Shanoya Douglas clocked a world leading 42.89 seconds to win the event.

Douglas the 100 meters and 200 meters silver medalist who anchored the team says it was important to keep Jamaica’s winning streak going.

The men’s sprint relay team of Kyle Bodden, Gary Card, Nyrone Wayde and Sanjay Seymore posted 39.01 for third place behind the winners USA in a world under 20 record 38.16 seconds.

Meantime, Salmon secured bronze in the men’s discus final with a best effort of 64.37 metres to take 3rd place behind Simon Rosselli of the USA 66.39 meters and Sten Erik IIR of Estonia 64.37 meters.

Kimari Kennedy just missed out on a podium finish with a personal best 64.18 meters.

Jamaica ended 3rd on the placings table with 89 points, behind the USA who garnered 218 points and Kenya second with 92 points.

Jamaica finished with 2 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze o finish in 4th place on the medal table, behind the USA 24, Kenya 11 including 4 goad and Italy 5 including three gold.

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake is calling on citizens to work with the police to ensure the continued reduction in murders. 

According to the commissioner, data shows that there was a 21 percent reduction in murders compared to the similar period last year. 

Dr. Blake said even as murders are reduced, greater emphasis must be placed on domestic violence and disputes. 

He said to maintain the reduction, the constabulary force must remain proactive in addressing these issues. 

In the meantime, he expressed the desire to secure a peaceful Jamaica, where citizens and business operators can feel safe. 

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says the digitisation of patient records at the May Pen hospital in Clarendon is expected to improve efficiency in the delivery of healthcare, significantly. 

He was speaking during a recent tour of the hospital. 

He said  the electronic health records, EHR system should reduce the time patients spend being registered and treated.

Dr. Tufton explained that the system eliminates the need for healthcare professionals to search for physical files, allowing doctors to access patients’ medical histories and medication information electronically. 

Meantime, Senior Medical Officer at the hospital Dr. Curtis Pryce said so far the system has been working efficiently, allowing medical personnel to collect and monitor data that can inform treatment decisions.

According to the ministry, scores of public health institutions across Jamaica now have access to the EHR system. 

The implementation forms part of the US$148-million Health Systems Strengthening Programme-a flagship infrastructure initiative aimed at building resilience in the health sector.

A call is being made for motorcyclists to refrain from wearing slippers and shorts when riding on the nation’s roadways.

Executive Director of the National Road Safety Council, Paula Fletcher, made the appeal, noting that motorcyclists continue to suffer injuries and fatalities, partly due to their failure to wear protective gear and proper clothing.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Mrs. Fletcher says motorcyclists should adorn themselves in proper attire to protect life and limb.

The Executive Director stresses that specialised gear acts as a vital shield for the vulnerable human body.

Mrs. Fletcher also reiterates the Council’s call for motorcyclists to wear approved helmets, adding that it is no longer effective if it has been involved in a crash.