分类： society

Hugh Grant, President and CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has issued a stark warning about potential increases in electricity bills for Jamaicans as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. Speaking at a special press briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday, Grant highlighted the challenges posed by the storm, which is expected to intensify into a hurricane by the weekend.

As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has assured the public that the nation’s state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam, is fully prepared to meet the country’s fuel needs. Vaz confirmed that Petrojam has activated all emergency systems and maintains robust fuel reserves, including over two weeks’ worth of refined products and 10 days’ supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These measures are critical as the storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to areas already saturated from weeks of persistent rain. Speaking at a special Jamaica House media briefing on Thursday morning, Vaz emphasized the importance of readiness and outlined additional steps to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability. Petrojam’s loading facilities in Kingston and Montego Bay will operate extended hours to facilitate pre-storm deliveries. Furthermore, Jamaica Aircraft Refueling Services has ensured ample stocks of jet fuel and aviation gasoline to maintain continuous aircraft refueling operations. The government’s proactive measures aim to mitigate potential disruptions and safeguard essential services during the storm.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has announced comprehensive preparations to mitigate the potential effects of Tropical Storm Melissa. Emphasizing the safety and welfare of its citizens, the ministry has implemented a coordinated response strategy across all 14 parishes. Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no individual is overlooked during disaster scenarios. He stated, ‘Our teams are fully prepared, equipped, and mobilized to address any needs that may arise.’

In preparation for the storm, all parish offices have been activated and are ready to handle emergencies. The Humanitarian Assistance Committee (HAC) has convened to finalize coordination among essential partners, while training sessions on the Jamaica Household Disaster Impact Needs Assessment (JHDINA) Lite tool are ongoing. Preemptive measures include the distribution of care packages and supplies to the parishes of St Thomas, Portland, and St Mary. Additionally, the ministry has bolstered its communication systems, ensuring swift contact with field officers through a Closed User Group (CUG) network, with each parish manager, administrator, and social worker assigned a mobile phone.

Minister Charles Jr. reassured the public, stating, ‘All mechanisms are in place to provide effective and timely assistance to those affected.’ The ministry is also collaborating with telecommunications partner Starlink to enhance connectivity during and after the storm. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant, stay informed, and adhere to local authorities’ instructions as Jamaica braces for potential severe weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Melissa.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hugh Grant, President and CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has announced proactive measures to mitigate the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, expected to hit the island later this week. Speaking at a Jamaica House press briefing on Thursday, Grant emphasized that while power outages are anticipated, the recovery process will be significantly faster compared to the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in July 2023.

Dantay Brooks, the son of renowned dancehall artist Mavado, has once again been embroiled in legal issues. According to reports from Observer Online, Brooks is now confronting charges of unlawful wounding and assault at common law. Police sources indicate that these charges were formally filed on Wednesday. Additionally, Brooks is accused of possessing a prohibited weapon and using it to commit a scheduled offense. The charges are linked to an incident that occurred in July in Cassava Piece, Mavado’s hometown. While specific details of the incident remain undisclosed, it is understood that Brooks is also under investigation for a gun-related offense. This marks the second time Brooks has faced official charges. Earlier this year, in March, his 2021 murder conviction for the 2018 killing of Lorenzo Thomas was overturned by the Court of Appeal, leading to his release. His co-accused, Andre Hinds, was also freed. The recent legal troubles come amidst a family reunion, as Mavado returned to Jamaica last week for the first time in nearly a decade, following the recent vacating of a 2018 arrest warrant for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the impending threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa, the Ministry of Education has mandated that all schools across the island maintain remote learning operations on Friday, October 24, 2025. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff as the storm approaches.

Commuters depending on the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) can rest assured that bus services will remain operational as long as safety permits. This assurance was provided by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz during a Jamaica House media briefing on Thursday, where he outlined the government’s preparedness measures for Tropical Storm Melissa. Vaz emphasized that JUTC will continue its regular bus operations unless weather conditions pose a risk. Updates on service status will be disseminated through social media and public communication channels. To bolster emergency response, 30 buses have been allocated for deployment across key depots in Portmore, Spanish Town, Rockfort, and Montego Bay. Each depot has activated an emergency operations committee, and JUTC representatives are stationed at national and parish emergency centers to ensure coordinated efforts. Additionally, all depots, fuel stations, and assets have been secured, and the company stands ready to assist with evacuation and transportation if required. Montego Bay Metro and Western Transport Operations are also fully operational and will continue services as long as weather conditions allow. Vaz further noted that toll road operators are on standby to implement emergency measures, including waiving toll fees if necessary to alleviate highway congestion during the storm.

As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica, surfers on the island’s southeast coast are eagerly anticipating the powerful waves it may bring, rather than fearing its potential dangers. Billy ‘Mystic’ Wilmot, founder of the Jamnesia Surf Club in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, expressed excitement about the hurricane season, which he described as ideal for surfing. “We always look forward to the hurricane season. It sends waves from far away, even if the storm is hundreds of miles from us,” Wilmot told Observer Online during a visit to the area on Thursday, October 23, 2025. However, he emphasized the need for the storm to remain at a safe distance to avoid strong winds that could disrupt surfing conditions. “We welcome the waves, but not the breeze. The wind can make it impossible to surf,” he explained. At 7:00 pm on Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located approximately 224 kilometers south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica, prompting a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for the island. Despite the warnings, surfers like Ivah Wilmot and Danielle Mattis were seen catching waves at Wickie Wackie Beach in Bull Bay. Wilmot also expressed hope that the storm would not cause loss of life or property damage, recalling the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which led to flooding and debris accumulation in the area. Bull Bay, like other low-lying regions in Jamaica, remains vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall.