分类： society

Jamaica’s eastern parish of St Thomas is poised for a significant tourism enhancement as the historic Bath Botanical Gardens undergoes a comprehensive $29.5 million restoration project. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) officially commenced the Gardens Rehabilitation Project through a contract-signing ceremony held recently, marking a strategic move to diversify the nation’s tourism offerings beyond traditional coastal attractions.

JSIF Managing Director Omar Sweeney emphasized the project’s role in strengthening Jamaica’s economic resilience by developing attractions across various regions. “We want to ensure that the country’s tourism offerings don’t rely solely on one place, like the north coast,” Sweeney stated. “This diversification allows us to have investments and attractions across the country, creating a more balanced tourism economy.”

Established in 1779 as a therapeutic complement to the nearby Bath Mineral Spa, Bath Botanical Gardens holds the distinction of being the Western Hemisphere’s second-oldest botanical garden. The restoration initiative aligns with the Ministry of Tourism’s newly approved community tourism policy, which promotes clustered development of complementary attractions rather than competitive standalone facilities.

Chief Technical Director David Dobson explained the strategic approach: “We want to change how community tourism operates by forming clusters where businesses complement each other. The twinning of the botanical gardens with the Bath Hotel and Spa will provide visitors with a rich, integrated experience.”

The project operates under the JSIF Second Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI-II), funded through a loan agreement between the Jamaican Government and the World Bank. According to JSIF tourism specialist Larisa McBean, the initiative targets both agricultural and community tourism beneficiaries through partnerships with multiple government ministries and agencies.

Project specifications include rehabilitation of administrative offices, expansion of facilities, and complete renovation of restrooms to include disability access and baby changing stations. The scope also covers walkway rehabilitation, construction of a 300-seedling shade house, restoration of two gazebos, and preservation of the historic wishing well. The physical work is scheduled for completion by June, with an additional six-month defect liability period allocated for quality assurance.

This initiative follows Agriculture Minister Floyd Green’s 2021 announcement regarding the government’s commitment to enhancing several public botanical gardens island-wide, with particular focus on Castleton, Bath, and Cinchona Botanical Gardens as priority sites for cultural and environmental preservation.

A landmark educational initiative has been unveiled to support the academic aspirations of Jamaican students with family ties to Canada’s agricultural sector. The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA), in collaboration with Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), has established a scholarship program valued at $115,000 for the 2024 academic year.

This pioneering program will provide financial assistance to ten secondary school students whose parents are participants in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Programme (SAWP). The scholarships are designed to cover comprehensive educational expenses including textbooks, school uniforms, examination fees, transportation costs, and daily lunch expenses.

Benjamin Murray, Communications Adviser at OFVGA, emphasized the program’s significance during Thursday’s launch event at the MLSS headquarters in Kingston. “This scholarship represents our deep appreciation for the sacrifices Jamaican workers and their families make annually,” Murray stated. “Supporting education is our meaningful way of giving back while investing in the next generation’s future.”

The scholarship announcement coincides with the 60th anniversary of the agricultural partnership between Jamaica and Canada. Murray highlighted this milestone, noting that Jamaican workers have been instrumental to the program’s enduring success and describing the scholarship as both a gesture of gratitude and a commitment to continued collaboration.

Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must be children of Jamaican seasonal farm workers employed in Ontario, enrolled in local secondary education, and maintaining at least a ‘B’ grade average. Additional criteria require the parent-worker to have completed three consecutive years of service in the SAWP without any unauthorized absences.

Andrea Miller-Stennett, Director of Employment Services at MLSS, outlined application procedures requiring submission of completed forms alongside supporting documentation including proof of parental employment in Ontario, birth certificates, and academic records. Application forms are available at MLSS offices in Kingston or through Jamaican Liaison Service offices in Canada.

Jamaica’s Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. welcomed the initiative as a strategic partnership that alleviates educational financial burdens while recognizing farm workers’ contributions. The application window opens April 1 and closes June 30, 2026, with inquiries directed to MLSS Family Services or Jamaican Liaison Service offices in Canada.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A targeted police operation in the Harbour View district culminated in a fatal exchange of gunfire early Saturday morning, resulting in the death of a local man and the seizure of an illegal firearm. The incident occurred at approximately 5:18 a.m. at a residence on Balkan Avenue in the Bayshore Park area. Law enforcement officials have tentatively identified the deceased as 37-year-old Troy Flannigan, also known by the alias ‘Junglist,’ a resident of the address. According to official reports, officers entered the premises and proceeded to a bedroom where Flannigan was allegedly sighted in possession of a handgun. The situation escalated when the suspect reportedly aimed the weapon and discharged rounds at the approaching police unit. The officers returned fire in what is described as an act of self-defense. Despite reportedly continuing to advance toward the law enforcement personnel while shooting, the suspect was ultimately subdued. Medical personnel transported Flannigan to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead by attending physicians. Authorities confiscated a Smith and Wesson Springfield pistol, along with its magazine containing five live .45 caliber rounds, from the scene. In accordance with standard procedure for incidents involving police fatalities, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

In an innovative approach to disaster response, a coalition of private organizations has mobilized substantial nutritional support for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. TECH Beach Retreat (TBR) and Infiniti Partnership have coordinated a major donation of premium nutritional supplements valued at US$275,000 (J$43 million), facilitated through the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) and implemented by Food for the Poor Jamaica.

The contribution addresses a critical gap in recovery efforts by providing sustained nutritional support to vulnerable populations experiencing prolonged displacement and food insecurity. The greens-based nutritional supplement, not typically distributed in Jamaica, was specifically selected for its ability to support energy, immunity, and overall resilience during physically demanding rebuilding work.

Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, CEO of Tech Beach Retreat, emphasized the strategic thinking behind the initiative: “In disaster recovery, nutrition is often overlooked once immediate emergency needs are addressed. Yet sustained access to nutrition is essential particularly for families, the elderly, and those engaged in physically demanding recovery work.”

The donation represents a novel approach to humanitarian response by leveraging private sector networks traditionally outside disaster relief channels. Every aspect of the contribution—from product sourcing to international freight and local transportation—has been fully covered by the partnering organizations, ensuring no financial burden falls on local communities or government systems.

Food for the Poor Jamaica will manage the distribution through its established national network, drawing on decades of experience delivering humanitarian aid across the island. The organization will prioritize allocation to the most affected populations in south-western and north-western Jamaica, where Hurricane Melissa caused widespread damage when it struck on October 28, 2025.

The hurricane’s impact has been particularly devastating for Jamaica’s economy, with initial infrastructure damage estimates exceeding US$8.8 billion—a staggering figure for an economy with a GDP of just over US$19 billion. While early relief efforts focused on immediate survival needs, recovery leaders now emphasize the necessity of holistic approaches that include nutrition as a foundational element of long-term rebuilding.

AFJ President Caron Chung noted the importance of coordinated delivery through trusted channels: “We are pleased to help facilitate this support through established partners to ensure it reaches those who need it most.” The partnership demonstrates how private networks can play meaningful roles in recovery when mobilized effectively through appropriate governance and transparency mechanisms.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s National Housing Trust (NHT) has initiated a comprehensive verification drive to bolster its security framework, requesting approximately 1,000 contribution refund applicants to resubmit their claims through enhanced channels. The move aims to reinforce system integrity and prevent fraudulent activities while ensuring accurate disbursement of funds.

During a recent JIS Think Tank session on February 5, Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at NHT, emphasized that the validation checks are critical for maintaining operational accuracy. “Our primary objective is to safeguard both the institution and our contributors from errors and malicious claims,” Berbick stated.

The NHT is actively encouraging applicants to utilize its official online portal for resubmission, citing improved convenience and heightened security measures. Berbick reassured contributors that processing times have been drastically reduced from 15 days to just four or five days, thanks to systemic upgrades and streamlined procedures. “We urge applicants not to feel discouraged. The resubmission process is now faster and more efficient, ensuring prompt refunds once verified,” he added.

Cameo Simmons Thomas, Supervisor for the Contributions, Refunds, Payments and Monitoring Unit, highlighted the importance of precise personal and banking details. She explained that even minor discrepancies—such as missing hyphens, spaces, or accent marks—can cause significant delays, as each application undergoes rigorous cross-verification with banking institutions. “Consistency across all documents is essential. The account must be primarily held by the applicant, and the registered name must exactly match NHT and bank records,” Thomas noted.

To date, the NHT has disbursed over $5 billion in refunds, demonstrating its commitment to both efficiency and fraud prevention. The organization continues to advocate for digital submissions to minimize errors and accelerate processing.