IRIE FM

The Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) is reiterating its call for children and young people to be meaningfully included in all discussions, consultations and policy decisions concerning their use of social media.

FWCF said it is in support of stronger protections for children and young people online and shared the objective of creating safer digital spaces with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

However, it said policies affecting children’s rights, freedoms and everyday experiences must be developed with the inclusion of children.

FWCF Youth Policy Committee Member, Tasheera Thompson noted that the recently released National Study on Social Media Use and the Protection of Children in Jamaica, commissioned by the Ministry provides valuable insight into the perspectives of adults, parents and caregivers.

However, she said a critical question remains unanswered: “Where are the voices of children and young people?”

The National Water Commission (NWC) says water supply regulations will be implemented for customers served by the Mona Reservoir system, as of today, August 3.

The reservoir continues to experience reduced inflows due to ongoing dry conditions.

The Mona Reservoir supplies several communities across the corporate area, including sections of Old Hope Road, New Kingston, Cross Roads, Mountain View, Downtown Kingston and surrounding communities.

Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager Sadeke Brooks said dry conditions are expected to continue over the coming months, based on forecasts from the Met Service.

Ms. Brooks noted that the water management strategy is aimed at protecting the integrity of the water supply system.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has noted that the rapid expansion of health care facilities in St. Catherine will reduce the need for residents to seek treatment at facilities outside the parish.

He made the comment while on a recent site assessment of works being undertaken on the Old Harbour Comprehensive Health Centre.

The Minister indicated that the project forms part of the health systems strengthening programme, which represents the largest investment in health infrastructure in St. Catherine.

The programme includes upgrades to the St. Jago Park Health Centre, the Greater Portmore Health Centre, and the re-development of the Spanish Town Hospital.

Dr. Tufton stressed that continued investment in health infrastructure must be matched by a committed work force, capable of delivering quality patient care.

Speaking at the launch of the upgraded Government of Jamaica Electronic Procurement 2.0 Platform, Mrs. Williams said expanding MSME participation remains a key priority.

She noted that MSME’s account for only about one percent of the Government’s annual procurement spending.

Mrs. Williams said increasing the participation of MSME’s in Government procurement will support business growth and broader economic development.

Finance minister Fayval Williams has underscored the importance of transparency in the government’s procurement process, saying it is essential to ensuring accountability in the use of public funds.

She was speaking at the launch of the upgraded version of the government of Jamaica electronic procurement (GO-JEP) 2.0 platform.

Mrs. Williams said the platform is expected to strengthen the management of government procurement while improving transparency, accountability and access to public contracting opportunities.

The minister said procurement is a key pillar of good governance and responsible stewardship of tax payers’ money.

She noted that the state procures approximately US $3b in goods, services and works from the private sector each year.

Mrs. Williams said given the scale of that spending, transparency and a clear audit trail throughout the procurement process are critical to maintaining public confidence.

“Having leadership as your gift means that you have to be resilient.”

That is the charge given to school principals by former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn.

She was speaking at the education ministry’s region 5 gala awards ceremony for principals in Trelawny.

Llewellyn cited the constitutional challenge mounted by the People’s National Party (PNP) against her tenure as Jamaica’s chief prosecutor.

The court ruled against the PNP, paving the way for Llewellyn to continue as DPP until her retirement last September.

Ms. Llewellyn noted that she had to be the iron lady, during the period of uncertainty about her job.

The former DPP noted that leadership is often lonely because leaders don’t get to the chance to be victims.

She cited the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the response of school leaders as being indicative of their resilience.

Jamaica Labour Party Communication Chairman, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, has described as shameful the persistence of Paul Buchanan to challenge the results of the September 2025 General Election.

Buchanan ran on a People’s National Party ticket for the West Central St. Andrew constituency, against the Jamaica Labour Party’s Dr. Andrew Holness.

He lost the seat and subsequently sought to have the court overturn the result, citing irregularities and breaches.

The Supreme Court dismissed the matter, pointing out that Buchanan failed to file his claim within the stipulated time frame.

Buchanan then appealed, which was dismissed by the court yesterday.

His legal team has since indicated that they are contemplating going to the Privy Council.

In reacting to the court ruling, Fitz-Henley said Buchanan’s persistence is yet another indication of the PNP’s shameful habit of asserting what is not so for political mileage.

Senator Fitz-Henley says he is not surprised.

Cabinet minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley has been given the green light to seek a judicial review of the Integrity Commission’s decision that he be charged for offences, including alleged illicit enrichment.

This after the Supreme Court granted Dr. Wheatley’s application for leave to pursue the judicial review this morning.

The Supreme Court has also granted an injunction restraining the Commission from charging the minister for the alleged offences.

The injunction will remain in place until the hearing or determination of the judicial review.

The Supreme Court has recommended that the review be heard by a panel of three judges, given its importance.

The Commission, in its report tabled in parliament last month, noted that Dr. Wheatley acquired or owns assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings relevant to the period 2013 to 2022 in the amount of approximately $164 m.

It also concluded that when given the opportunity to provide an explanation about how he came by those assets he failed to do so satisfactorily.

Dr. Wheatley has refuted the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Integrity Commission said it is considering the next course of action following today’s ruling by the Supreme Court, in relation to Dr. Andrew Wheatley.

Speaking with Irie F M News, the Commission’s legal counsel Kevin Powell says the options are either to make an appeal or allow Dr. Wheatley’s claim to be filed and challenged.

A call is being made for local law enforcement agencies, to ensure that Jamaicans are equipped with information needed to identify fake employment opportunities.

This as human traffickers are targeting victims through the use of fake job advertisements, fraudulent recruiters, social media platforms and false employment offers, globally.

The issue was highlighted by state minister for national security Juliet Cuthbert Flynn who spoke on behalf of portfolio minister Dr. Horace Chang at the world day against trafficking in persons town hall meeting in Kingston, yesterday.

The minister noted that there is a notable global trend in trafficking where victims are deceived through fake employment opportunities and forced to participate in criminal activities including online scams.

About 15,000 Jamaicans took part in the Labour Ministry’s overseas employment programme last year, an increase of almost 5 % over 2024, through legitimate arrangements with countries such as Canada and the United States of America.

The minister said this legitimate programme must be protected as these opportunities represent genuine pathways for economic advancement and empowerment.

Therefore, traffickers must be held accountable.

Producer Seanizzle says choosing Rum & Red hitmaker Future Fambo to record ‘Give Thanks’ was a no-brainer.

The award-winning producer made the revelation during IRIE FM’s E-Buzz with Kshema Francis and DJ Bones, where he stressed that producers should prioritize creating music with cultural impact rather than focusing solely on financial gain.

According to Seanizzle, if you make great music, the money will follow.

Seanizzle wrote and produced ‘Give Thanks’, a collaboration featuring Future Fambo and Sheenworks.