Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Several blocked roads cleared to restore access to communities

    Several blocked roads cleared to restore access to communities

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Significant progress has been made in restoring access to communities severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, according to Robert Morgan, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development. Speaking at a media conference at Jamaica House on November 3, Morgan highlighted the successful creation of critical corridors to facilitate the delivery of relief supplies, particularly to the western parishes hardest hit by the hurricane.

    Morgan detailed the establishment of a primary corridor stretching from the border of St Elizabeth to Savanna-la-Mar, as well as another from St James through St Ann and Trelawny to Savanna-la-Mar. Initially, these routes were single-lane, leading to severe traffic congestion due to the influx of vehicles carrying supplies and aid workers. To address this, the government expanded the corridors to two lanes, significantly improving traffic flow.

    The minister also emphasized the importance of ensuring that heavy-duty vehicles, such as gas trucks and oil tankers, could navigate these routes. By November 2, several obstacles had been removed to allow these vehicles to traverse the area safely. Key routes now open include Ocho Rios to Port Antonio, Port Antonio to Morant Bay, Morant Bay to Kingston, and several others connecting major towns across the island.

    Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly in areas affected by flooding, landslides, and fallen trees. The government is collaborating with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to address these issues, with daily meetings to coordinate the removal or relocation of JPS poles obstructing roadways. Over 100 contractors and equipment operators are working across the region, focusing on critical areas while also addressing challenges in parishes like Portland and St Thomas.

    Morgan urged the public to avoid visiting impacted areas unless absolutely necessary, as their presence could hinder ongoing relief efforts. The government continues to prioritize the restoration of infrastructure to support recovery and aid distribution in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

  • Donation to be collected at Reggae Boyz, Curacao football match

    Donation to be collected at Reggae Boyz, Curacao football match

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a collaborative effort to aid Hurricane Melissa recovery, donations will be collected during the FIFA World Cup qualification match between Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz and Curaçao on November 18 at the National Stadium in Kingston. The initiative is spearheaded by the Jamaica Red Cross in partnership with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport.

    Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange highlighted the significance of the initiative during a media briefing at Jamaica House on Monday. ‘This is one way the Reggae Boyz are contributing to the relief efforts,’ she stated, adding that discussions are ongoing with other national teams to explore additional support avenues.

    Minister Grange also revealed that the president of the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) will attend the match, underscoring the event’s importance. Furthermore, she announced the appointment of Bishop Herro Blair as the national coordinator of the Religious and Faith-Based Organisations team. Bishop Blair will lead engagement and coordinate relief efforts across diverse religious groups, including Rastafarians, Revivalists, Muslims, Hindus, and Baha’i.

    Expressing gratitude for the public’s unwavering support, Minister Grange encouraged everyone to participate in the recovery and rebuilding process. ‘We will get over this… We will recover and rebuild better than before,’ she affirmed, emphasizing the collective resilience of the nation.

  • Homeless, hungry and trapped

    Homeless, hungry and trapped

    In a heartfelt and emotional plea, Nekeisha Burchell, Member of Parliament for St James Southern and a representative of the Opposition People’s National Party, called for immediate relief assistance for her constituents devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s Old Hope Road Headquarters, Burchell highlighted the dire situation faced by the majority of her constituents, who are homeless, hungry, and trapped in their communities amidst the carcasses of their livestock.

  • Uber, Jamaican Red Cross, and International Medical Corps to support Melissa relief efforts

    Uber, Jamaican Red Cross, and International Medical Corps to support Melissa relief efforts

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant humanitarian initiative, Uber, the global transportation giant, has teamed up with the Jamaican Red Cross and the International Medical Corps to bolster emergency response and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The collaboration aims to address critical mobility needs and ensure swift aid delivery to affected communities.

  • Man struck twice in hit-and-run recovering, sister seeks answers

    Man struck twice in hit-and-run recovering, sister seeks answers

    Four months after witnessing the harrowing footage of her brother being struck by one vehicle and then run over by another, Shanda Robinson and her family are still awaiting accountability and answers from authorities. Winchester “Chester” Robinson, who suffers from schizophrenia, was walking alone on Soldier Road on July 17 when the tragic incident occurred. Surveillance footage captured the moment he was hit by a car, left motionless on the road, and then run over by a second vehicle. A third car stopped briefly but failed to offer assistance. Chester sustained severe injuries, including four broken ribs, a bruised lung, a broken leg, and required three surgeries. Despite his miraculous survival and subsequent discharge from the hospital in September, the family remains in the dark about who is responsible for the incident. Shanda Robinson expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the Road Traffic Department and the Royal Bahamas Police Force, stating that officials promised to visit Chester in the hospital but never followed through. The family initially obtained surveillance footage from a nearby Chinese restaurant and sought assistance from authorities, but their efforts have been met with silence. Shanda, who relocated from Abaco to New Providence after Hurricane Dorian in 2019, finds it particularly challenging to navigate the system, as she knows few people on the island outside her family. Despite the emotional toll, the family has shifted their focus to Chester’s recovery. Reflecting on the incident, Chester’s reaction to watching the footage was one of gratitude: “Thank God I’m still here.” Shanda emphasized that accountability, even in the form of an apology, would bring the family much-needed closure. “You have to hold accountability for things in life,” she said, underscoring the importance of responsibility in such tragic circumstances.

  • JPS told to put electricity grid underground where feasible — Holness

    JPS told to put electricity grid underground where feasible — Holness

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican government has instructed the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company to assess the viability of relocating portions of the electricity grid underground. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced this initiative during a session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for resilience in the power infrastructure.

    Holness highlighted specific areas, including Montego Bay’s Elegant Corridor and Hip Strip, as priority zones for this underground project. These regions, central to Jamaica’s tourism industry, sustained significant damage during the hurricane. While acknowledging the high costs associated with underground infrastructure, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of balancing expenses with the need for a robust and resilient grid.

    In parallel, the government has prioritized power restoration in critical facilities such as hospitals, water plants, and communication hubs, as well as densely populated residential areas. Holness noted that the ‘all clear for restoration of utility services’ has enabled JPS and independent contractors to mobilize extensively. The Ministry of Energy is overseeing grid stabilization efforts and addressing localized issues, including low voltage on restored feeders.

    The Prime Minister assured the public that the government is providing strategic guidance to JPS, focusing on restoring large commercial and urban centers alongside essential public services. He also pledged to keep citizens informed about the progress of re-energization efforts across parishes as the network undergoes repairs and reconstruction.

  • WPM to use leased land for tree cuttings

    WPM to use leased land for tree cuttings

    In response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, Western Parks and Markets (WPM), the regional division of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of downed trees in western Jamaica. Edward Muir, Regional Operations Manager for WPM, detailed the plan in an interview with Observer Online, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

    Muir explained that WPM has leased a property near Retirement in Montego Bay, initially intended for constructing a garage for their fleet. However, given the current crisis, the site will temporarily serve as a storage location for tree cuttings. This decision aims to ensure that household waste can still be processed at the landfill without obstruction. The Retirement Disposal site, adjacent to the leased property, is currently overwhelmed and unable to accommodate additional waste, particularly tree debris.

    ‘At present, the disposal site is saturated, and we cannot allow tree cuttings to impede our operations,’ Muir stated. He assured that once the cleanup process is complete, the stored tree cuttings will be relocated to the disposal site for proper management.

    The initiative coincides with a large-scale cleanup operation in Catherine Hall and Westgreen, areas of Montego Bay severely affected by flooding and mud accumulation. WPM remains committed to restoring normalcy as swiftly as possible, contingent on the progress of ongoing efforts.

  • Father of slain Adriel Moxey dies of cancer, and a ‘broken heart’

    Father of slain Adriel Moxey dies of cancer, and a ‘broken heart’

    Roberto Rolle, the father of Adriel Moxey, a 12-year-old girl who was tragically murdered in November 2024, has passed away after a brief battle with stomach cancer. Rolle, 45, was laid to rest in Grand Bahama over the weekend. A close friend, Wendy Fox, who delivered a tribute at his funeral, believes that Rolle’s death was not solely due to cancer but also the profound heartbreak he endured following his daughter’s brutal killing. Fox stated, ‘He died from a broken heart. He just wanted his daughter.’ Adriel, a seventh-grade student, was sexually assaulted and killed on November 18, 2024. Her body was discovered two days later near Faith Avenue, leading to the arrest of 35-year-old Chris Ferguson in connection with her death. Rolle, who had raised Adriel from infancy, expressed deep regret in previous interviews, feeling he had failed to protect her. ‘I did everything for that little girl, even if she wasn’t my child, she was my child,’ he had said. Fox revealed that Rolle lived with constant sorrow and regret, often lamenting his inability to secure custody and provide a safer environment for Adriel. His death has left his family, including his surviving son, devastated.

  • Police in schools: Is it helping?

    Police in schools: Is it helping?

    Two months into the government’s initiative to deploy police officers to ‘high-risk’ schools, the program’s effectiveness remains under scrutiny. This measure was introduced to combat the escalating trend of school violence, but its outcomes have been inconsistent. While the Education Minister has noted a decline in suspensions, school principals report varying levels of success. Some schools have seen improved student discipline, while others have experienced minimal reductions in violence. The lack of clear guidelines defining the role and responsibilities of police officers in schools has emerged as a significant concern. Principals, who are legally accountable for school safety, cannot directly supervise or instruct these officers, creating ambiguity in their operational framework. Additionally, the inexperience of newly trained special reserve officers in handling the unique dynamics of school environments has hindered their effectiveness. Addressing the root causes of school violence, such as socio-economic factors and community normalization of abuse, remains critical. While initial assessments suggest some progress, stakeholders emphasize the need for continuous dialogue and program refinement to address these deep-seated issues.

  • Shein vows to cooperate with France in probe over childlike sex dolls

    Shein vows to cooperate with France in probe over childlike sex dolls

    PARIS, France (AFP)—Shein, the Asian e-commerce powerhouse, has vowed to fully cooperate with French judicial authorities following a scandal involving the sale of childlike sex dolls on its platform. The company has also committed to disclosing the identities of individuals who purchased these controversial items. This controversy emerges just as Shein is poised to open its first physical store globally, located in the prestigious BHV department store in central Paris on Wednesday. Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s spokesperson in France, emphasized the company’s transparency and readiness to assist authorities, stating, “We will cooperate fully with the judicial authorities and ensure this does not happen again.” The Paris prosecutor’s office has initiated investigations against Shein and other online retailers, including AliExpress, Temu, and Wish, for distributing inappropriate content accessible to minors. The probe was triggered after France’s anti-fraud unit reported the sale of these dolls on Shein’s platform. A photo of one such doll, measuring approximately 80 centimeters and holding a teddy bear, accompanied by an explicit caption, was published by French media. Ruffat condemned the incident as “serious, unacceptable, intolerable,” attributing it to a lapse in the company’s processes. In response, Shein has implemented a total ban on sex-doll-type products and removed all related listings. The controversy has sparked broader debates about Shein’s impact on traditional retail and its ethical practices. Critics have expressed concerns about unfair competition, environmental issues, and poor working conditions associated with the brand. Frederic Merlin, director of SGM, which operates BHV, faced criticism for partnering with Shein but defended the decision, citing the company’s cooperation with authorities and its significant customer base in France. Merlin expressed optimism that Shein’s presence would boost foot traffic at the department store.