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KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to bolster recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications has unveiled a new protocol to facilitate toll-free access for authorized aid and relief vehicles. Effective Monday, November 10, this initiative aims to expedite the delivery of essential supplies, personnel, and assistance to hurricane-affected communities by ensuring unimpeded passage through toll corridors.

Portfolio Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized that the protocol underscores the Government’s dedication to accelerating national recovery. ‘The Government remains steadfast in supporting relief and recovery operations across the island. We recognize the urgency of these missions and have implemented this streamlined process to eliminate administrative or logistical barriers,’ Vaz stated.

Under the new system, ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charitable bodies, and international partners engaged in relief work must submit a detailed written request to the Toll Authority of Jamaica. Required information includes the date of travel, organization details, vehicle specifications, driver credentials, toll corridor usage, destination, and security escort particulars if applicable.

Applications can be submitted via email to toll.authority@mtw.gov.jm or jerome.palmer@mtw.gov.jm, or by calling (876) 929-5119 or (876) 929-6393. Approvals will be processed within nine hours or less. Private individuals or volunteer groups involved in recognized relief efforts may also apply, subject to verification by the authority.

Once approved, a letter of authorization will be issued, enabling toll-free passage. Drivers must present this letter at toll plazas, where concessionaires will retain copies for audit purposes. Notably, existing arrangements for marked emergency and security vehicles—such as police, fire, ambulance, and military units—remain unchanged, ensuring their continued unrestricted access.

The protocol will remain in effect until government-led recovery operations conclude. Minister Vaz also expressed gratitude to emergency responders, utility crews, volunteers, families, the entertainment sector, corporate Jamaica, and other private groups for their unwavering support in restoring normalcy across the island.

The US Supreme Court on Monday deliberated on a significant case involving Damon Landor, a devout Rastafarian who is seeking monetary damages after his dreadlocks were forcibly cut while he was incarcerated in Louisiana. Landor argues that his religious rights were violated and is seeking permission to sue individual officials from the Louisiana Department of Corrections. His lawyer, Zachary Tripp, emphasized that without the possibility of damages, officials could disregard the law with impunity. Louisiana has admitted that the treatment of Landor was contrary to religious freedom and has since revised its prison grooming policy. However, the state maintains that federal law does not allow for monetary damages against state officials sued in their individual capacity, a stance that seemed to resonate with the court’s conservative majority. Landor, who had been growing his hair for nearly two decades, was serving the final weeks of a five-month sentence for drug possession in 2020 when the incident occurred. Despite presenting prison guards with a 2017 court ruling that affirmed Rastafarians’ right to keep their dreadlocks, a guard discarded the document and proceeded to shave Landor’s head while he was handcuffed to a chair. An appeals court condemned the treatment as ‘egregious’ but ruled that Landor could not sue individual officials for damages. The case has drawn attention from both left and right-leaning legal advocates, highlighting the complex intersection of religious liberty and government accountability. The Supreme Court, which has historically been reluctant to approve damages against individual officials, has also shown a tendency to support plaintiffs in religious liberty cases.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which wreaked havoc across Jamaica’s western region, Coralisle Group Ltd, a prominent insurance provider in the Caribbean, has launched a comprehensive recovery initiative. The Bermuda-based holding company has mobilized its dedicated claims and logistics teams in Jamaica, bolstered by on-the-ground support from staff in Barbados and Trinidad, as well as specialized assistance from partners in Miami. Employees from other regions are also contributing remotely to expedite the processing of insurance claims.

The Troy Bridge in Southern Trelawny, currently under construction, has emerged as a symbol of resilience after withstanding the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Despite catastrophic flooding and hurricane-force winds, the bridge remained structurally intact, earning praise for its robust design and engineering.

During a site visit on Friday, Robert Nesta Morgan, Minister with Responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, highlighted the bridge’s performance as a model of resilience-focused construction. ‘The Troy Bridge endured immense water pressure during Hurricane Melissa, yet it stands as strong as it did before the storm. This exemplifies how we should build for resilience,’ Morgan stated.

He emphasized that while the surrounding area experienced severe erosion and geographical changes due to the hurricane, the bridge remained steadfast. This, he noted, underscores the quality of its design, engineering, and execution. ‘We are constructing infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. The landscape around the Troy Bridge has transformed, but the bridge itself remains firm and strong. We take immense pride in the design, engineering, and implementation of this project,’ Morgan added.

The $231 million Troy Bridge project is now 80% complete. Upon completion, it will reconnect communities in Trelawny, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth, which were isolated after the collapse of the original 19th-century bridge during Tropical Storm Grace in August 2021. The new bridge not only promises to restore vital connectivity but also sets a benchmark for future infrastructure projects in the face of climate challenges.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaican farmers reeling, leading to a sharp increase in food prices at the Coronation Market. Essential produce such as escallion, tomato, carrot, and scotch bonnet pepper have seen significant price hikes. Escallion is now priced at $1,000-$1,200 per pound, while tomatoes and carrots are selling for $400 per pound. Scotch bonnet peppers are fetching $300-$500 per pound. Brittania Witter, host of Market Bag, visited the downtown Kingston market to document the escalating costs, highlighting the economic strain on both producers and consumers. The hurricane’s devastation has disrupted agricultural supply chains, exacerbating the financial burden on local communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move toward restoring normalcy, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has announced the reopening of two major public spaces: Dunn’s River Falls and Park in Ocho Rios, St Ann, and Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, St James. Both locations will welcome the public starting Tuesday, November 11.

In a proactive move to address a pressing safety concern, a group of taxi operators in Kingston, Jamaica, took matters into their own hands on Sunday by repairing hazardous potholes near Calabar High School and Lees Food Fair. The operators emphasized that the deteriorating road conditions posed significant risks to both lives and property, particularly during peak traffic hours.