分类： society

The Jamaican Ministry of Justice has announced plans to develop new courthouse facilities in parishes where judicial infrastructure suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa’s recent path of destruction. Justice Minister Delroy Chuck presented the proposal during a ministerial address before the House of Representatives on Tuesday, highlighting the severe impact on courts in the island’s western regions.

Minister Chuck confirmed that three parish courthouses in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and Trelawny sustained either complete or substantial damage during the hurricane. The ministry will collaborate closely with Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and judicial administration teams to identify appropriate locations for replacement facilities. Funding allocations for these reconstruction projects will be formally requested through proper governmental channels.

The minister simultaneously provided updates on ongoing judicial infrastructure projects, noting that construction of new courthouses in St Thomas, Manchester, and St Catherine parishes is already advancing significantly. These developments form part of a broader initiative to establish a first-class justice system throughout Jamaica.

Minister Chuck also addressed persistent concerns regarding court infrastructure raised by the judiciary. Jamaica’s judicial system operates 57 courthouses across the island, with most facilities outside the Supreme Court exceeding one century in age. Despite their historical nature, the minister emphasized that many courthouses had undergone substantial improvements before Hurricane Melissa struck. Approximately $764 million Jamaican dollars has been invested in major renovations and enhancements during the past two financial years.

Notable examples of recently upgraded judicial facilities include the St Catherine Parish Court in Linstead, Manchester Parish Court in Cross Keys, Clarendon Parish Court, Portland Parish Court in Bryan’s Bay, and the St Ann Family Court. Minister Chuck expressed confidence in the current state of these renovated facilities, stating he would “proudly practice in any of the courts across the country” while acknowledging that additional upgrading work remains necessary in many locations throughout Jamaica.

Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, is spearheading a national initiative to create a more inclusive society by advocating for equal educational access and improved employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Speaking at the handover ceremony for the Jamaica Society for the Blind’s (JSB) refurbished headquarters on Thursday, the minister delivered a powerful address challenging systemic barriers faced by the disabled community.

The minister criticized the prevailing lack of workplace accommodations that prevents qualified individuals with disabilities from securing employment. “If we truly want to hire the best, we have to make accommodations for persons living with disabilities. Too often those accommodations are not made,” Morris Dixon stated, addressing employers directly. She emphasized that many disabled individuals are “absolutely brilliant people” and “committed workers” whose potential remains untapped due to inadequate inclusive practices.

Morris Dixon highlighted specific legal provisions available to support employed individuals with disabilities, particularly noting Section 12 of the Income Tax Act which provides exemption on emoluments for those with permanent physical or mental disabilities who are capable of gainful employment. She reminded employers and employees alike that those registered with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities are eligible for this significant benefit.

In the education sector, the minister outlined comprehensive efforts to strengthen support systems for learners with disabilities through appropriate assessments, learning accommodations, and specialized tools. She specifically mentioned monitoring accommodations provided for Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students, including those requiring Braille materials or special assistance during examinations.

While acknowledging that Jamaica’s inclusivity systems “are not where I would want them to be,” Morris Dixon committed to daily improvements and welcomed collaboration with organizations like the Jamaica Society for the Blind to “push the envelope even more” in creating accessible classrooms. The refurbishment of the JSB headquarters, completed under the HEART/NSTA Trust’s National Development Project, represents a tangible step toward enhancing facilities used by the blind and visually impaired for personal, commercial, and social activities.

Jamaican Minister Matthew Samuda has announced a comprehensive government strategy to address the critical water shortages still plaguing small rural districts following October 2025’s devastating Hurricane Melissa. During a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, Minister Samuda revealed that municipal water systems serving approximately 15% of Jamaica’s population suffered catastrophic damage during the Category 5 hurricane.

The assessment conducted post-Melissa exposed that over 90% of these municipal systems were already in significant disrepair before the hurricane made landfall on October 28, necessitating a complete overhaul rather than simple repairs. This pre-existing vulnerability has dramatically compounded the restoration challenges facing western parishes particularly.

Minister Samuda outlined immediate relief measures including the allocation of $400 million originally designated for water trucking programs to parish councils serving the most affected areas. “We will be making an allocation to each of the parish councils in the areas most affected by Melissa to deal with these small districts,” Samuda stated, promising published figures later this week.

The government is pursuing a dual approach involving both immediate relief and long-term systemic reform. A new social water policy addendum to Jamaica’s national water policy will be developed to address the chronic disrepair of small rural water systems nationwide. This will be accompanied by a completely new operational model for municipal water management and significant training programs for system operators outside the National Water Commission’s utility footprint.

While 93.5% of National Water Commission customers have been restored to service, approximately 33,746 customers remain without reliable water access, primarily in western parishes including St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and Trelawny. The government promises a full damage assessment presentation to Parliament within two weeks as Jamaica embarks on a multi-year restoration and modernization initiative for its vulnerable water infrastructure.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — New investigative details have surfaced regarding the police-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Devar Hodges, a wanted criminal, in Kingston’s Mountain View area last Saturday morning.

According to official reports from Jamaican law enforcement, the fatal encounter occurred approximately at 5:30 a.m. when officers from the Kingston Eastern division executed an operation at a residential premises where Hodges was residing. The situation escalated when police witnessed a female individual fleeing from a room moments before their entry.

Upon entering the room, authorities confronted Hodges, who responded by allegedly directing an illegal firearm toward the officers. The law enforcement personnel reportedly implemented evasive maneuvers before discharging their service weapons, striking the suspect.

Emergency medical services transported the critically injured Hodges to Kingston Public Hospital, where attending physicians subsequently pronounced him deceased. Police officials confirmed the seizure of a black Jimenez Arms Inc pistol from the scene, containing a loaded magazine with seven live 9mm rounds.

Hodges, who operated under the street aliases ‘Skeddo’ and ‘Blackhead,’ originated from Browns Town in St. Ann parish. He had been actively sought by the St. Ann Police Division regarding serious charges of wounding with intent. His profile had recently been featured in the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s ‘Wanted Wednesdays’ public awareness campaign.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has initiated standard protocol procedures, deploying investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident. The independent oversight body will conduct a comprehensive review to determine whether proper police protocols were observed during the operation.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a significant anti-narcotics operation, authorities at Sangster International Airport have apprehended two high-ranking government officials attempting to traffic approximately 9.25 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $5.4 million. The dramatic Friday midday interception occurred as the male and female suspects, whose identities remain protected pending ongoing investigations, attempted to board a New York-bound flight.

Security personnel from port authorities and the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) discovered the illicit substance concealed within sophisticated false compartments in the suspects’ luggage during routine checkpoint screening. Additionally, officers recovered an unspecified amount of United States currency from a handbag during the search.

Following the initial arrests, FNID investigators executed follow-up operations at both suspects’ residences, uncovering further evidence including a Glock 19 pistol, thirteen rounds of ammunition, and an additional ounce of cocaine. In a concerning development, one suspect disclosed having ingested over seventy cocaine pellets, requiring immediate medical hospitalization under police supervision.

Superintendent Patrae Rowe, Director of FNID, emphasized the operation’s significance in Jamaica’s broader campaign against organized crime. “This operation underscores the intensified investigations by the Jamaica Constabulary Force to maintain the integrity of our borders and hold all individuals accountable, regardless of their professional standing or social status,” Rowe stated. “We are continuing our mission to further dismantle the networks that facilitate the trafficking of illicit drugs and firearms.”

The case represents a notable success in Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking networks that often exploit official positions and transportation infrastructure. Law enforcement officials confirm investigations remain active as they work to identify potential accomplices and broader criminal connections.