IRIE FM

A call is being made for Transport Minister Daryl Vaz to urgently provide an update on the state of the maintenance contracts with El Hydro Limited which supplied the 110 US-retired school buses to the Government, a year ago.

In a statement today, Opposition Spokesperson on Transport Mikael Phillips said part of the justification for the high price of the units was that the supplier would be maintaining the buses to guarantee safety and maximum fleet availability.

Mr. Phillips said the fire which destroyed one of the units yesterday has raised serious questions about the existence of effective maintenance, covering periodic pre-dispatch checks, routine servicing and whether all units have working fire extinguishers on board.

The spokesperson said he is relieved that no one was injured, as the incident took place during the summer break.

Mr. Phillips stressed that the Government must satisfy the public that all units will be checked, maintained and be roadworthy for the new school year.

He also called on Mr. Vaz to provide an update on the procurement, arrival and deployment of the 100 new school buses which he promised earlier this year.

He said since the announcement, the Minister has failed to provide details even with the new school year fast approaching.

He insisted that offenders must find “no solace”.

Speaking at an Area 2 town hall meeting, the head of police force’s strategic operations portfolio praised the efforts of officers across St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.

DCP Clarke commended the St. Mary and Portland police divisions for maintaining stable crime trends during the previous quarter, noting that they held their ground while other divisions islandwide faced challenges.

He noted that reducing violent crime remains the foremost priority, pointing to significant progress made in recent years.

The senior officer urged personnel to maintain their momentum during the remainder of the year, warning that the coming months would require “all hands on deck” as the Constabulary continues its drive to reduce murders and improve public safety.

Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas

The Jamaican Government has provided US$250,000 towards support of CARICOM’s humanitarian efforts, to the people of Cuba and Venezuela.

The update was provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith at a post-Cabinet briefing at Jamaica House yesterday.

Cuba is facing a severe humanitarian and energy crisis driven by fuel blockades, and the lingering effects of Hurricane Melissa, while Venezuela was hit by two major earthquakes on June 24.

Mrs. Johnson Smith also expressed sympathies to the people of Guyana, Japan and Ghana, who are reeling from other tragedies.

Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas 

The Third Jamaican who was deported to Eswatini from the United States of America earlier this month, has also indicated that he does not wish to return to Jamaica at this time.

The update was provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith at a post Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

The three Jamaican men were removed from the United States under the controversial Third Country National (TCN) agreement.

Two had previously stated that they do not want to return to Jamaica.

Mrs. Johnson Smith said the Government is still awaiting a response from the United States of America on the circumstances under which Jamaicans were sent to Eswatini.

She also revealed that the U.S. does not inform the government whenever a Jamaican is deported to another country under the TCN arrangement.

Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas 

Five of the housing units at the Howard Avenue Apartments in St. Andrew will be made available under the National Housing Trust’s Social Housing Programme.

The 248 unit apartment complex was officially handed over during a ceremony yesterday.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness pointed out that the Government has several social housing initiatives, through which persons can get support with getting a home.

Some of them are done by the Ministry of Local Government, via municipal corporations.

Another is the New Social Housing Programme, through which the government builds homes that can be passed on to the next generation of beneficiaries.

Dr. Holness explained that the NHT’s Social Housing Programme is different with 2 aspects.

One entails provision of a grant to contributors to build their own home.

The other relates to units at a housing development remaining with the trust and being re-assigned to others, upon the death of the initial beneficiary.

Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says discussions must be held with the United States Government, before the Third-Country National agreement (TCN) could be released.

Last month, National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang said the Government signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States on June 10 following Cabinet approval.

There have been calls from the People’s National Party (PNP) for the agreement to be publicly disclosed.

Responding to a question about the release of the document at post-Cabinet press briefing today, Mrs Johnson Smith stressed that actual agreements between two countries are not usually released.

The Minister said that discussions would also have to be held with cabinet on whether or not to release the MOU.

Mrs. Johnson Smith said the Government does not want further sensationalism surrounding the TCN matter.

This in the wake of comments by Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation Audrey Marks at the recent Jamaica Labour Party Area Council 3 meeting.

Marks cited safeguards in the agreement and her proposal to import undocumented workers.

Marks spoke of the distinctions between the TCN and workers issues, while chastising the PNP for spreading false narratives.

In a statement today, Mr. Jackson said if there is truly no overlap between her proposal and the TCN deal, the simplest way to prove it is to publish the Memorandum of Understanding in full.

Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas

There is concern that truancy could affect Jamaica’s performance in this year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams.

This as many older students, particularly boys, have stayed away from school to help their families rebuild in western parishes, which were devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The issue was raised by Education Minister, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon at a post-Cabinet press briefing today.

During the ministry’s back-to-school readiness tour of educational institutions in Westmoreland yesterday, she said she reiterated to residents the importance of sending their children back to school.

The Minister noted that, over time, several students have resumed their studies in western Jamaica through the efforts of the ministry, the police, and community engagements.

Dr. Morris Dixon explained that the ministry has implemented an education management information system to improve school attendance.

Not all schools in Western Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa will be ready for the upcoming school year.

However, plans are in place to facilitate continued learning.

Education Minister, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon made the disclosure at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House this morning.

Her statement followed a tour of several western schools yesterday.

The Minister reiterated that the Government will soon publish a list of the schools being renovated and the progress at which those works are being executed.

Meteorologist Brian Shields says he uses music from his favorite Jamaican artistes, Bob Marley and Popcaan, to set the tone for his weather forecasts.

The renowned weather forecaster, who first captured our hearts with his calm, in-depth and credible coverage during Hurricane Melissa, made the revelation while appearing on the Wake-up Call with DJ Sunshine.