分类： society

The Jamaican Ministry of Works has officially initiated its comprehensive GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, commencing critical road patching operations across key Kingston corridors. This targeted intervention aims to address immediate infrastructure deterioration and improve overall road safety conditions for motorists.

Initial construction activities are currently focused on high-priority thoroughfares including Waterloo Road, East Kings House Road, and Mandela Highway, with additional roads in Kingston and St. Andrew receiving urgent attention. The ministry’s technical teams are specifically addressing severe road surface failures, including dangerous potholes, scouring damage, and general pavement degradation that has compromised driving conditions.

Robert Nesta Morgan, Minister with Responsibility for Works, confirmed the programme will adopt a phased geographical approach. “The GO Programme will expand beyond Kingston and move into other parishes in the coming days,” Morgan stated, emphasizing the government’s structured rollout strategy designed to restore vital transportation routes nationwide. The initiative directly supports Jamaica’s economic activity by facilitating safer daily commuting, commercial transportation, and public transit operations.

The ministry has issued advisories urging motorists to exercise heightened caution when approaching active work zones, obey all posted traffic instructions, and anticipate intermittent delays during construction hours. Regular updates regarding the programme’s expansion schedule and subsequent target areas will be communicated to the public as rehabilitation work progresses across the island.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant initiative to support agricultural recovery, Jamaica’s Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will conduct a specialized livestock clinic this Friday, December 19, at its Westmoreland Parish Office in Llandilo. The event commences at 10:00 am, offering comprehensive animal health services at no cost to participants.

RADA Livestock Specialist Maxine Brown, in discussions with JIS News, emphasized the clinic’s critical role in providing professional veterinary care following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on local farming communities. “Livestock owners can bring their animals for immediate medical attention, receive expert guidance, and obtain practical solutions to enhance animal welfare and productivity,” Brown stated.

The clinic represents part of RADA’s broader post-hurricane response, with several similar events already conducted in severely affected parishes. Beyond direct animal care, veterinarians will consult with farmers unable to transport their livestock, diagnosing issues and providing necessary medications.

A notable public health component will address leptospirosis prevention, with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) providing crucial information on protecting both animals and humans from the disease. This integrated approach underscores Jamaica’s commitment to holistic agricultural support.

The event will feature collaborative participation from multiple organizations, including the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association and Baruch Distributors, creating a multidisciplinary support network for livestock farmers throughout Westmoreland and neighboring regions.

Brown reinforced RADA’s dedication to farmer support: “We remain committed to delivering accessible services that strengthen Jamaica’s livestock sector while safeguarding animal health and community wellbeing.”

Interested parties can contact the RADA Westmoreland Office at 955-2767 or 955-4446 for additional information regarding the clinic and its services.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Corporate entities have significantly bolstered a cherished police-community outreach program with substantial financial contributions aimed at expanding its reach. The Clarendon Police Division has received a generous $2-million Jamaican dollar donation to support the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ initiative, designed to bring holiday joy to children facing adverse circumstances or trauma.

The funding, comprising contributions from Juici Patties staff and Continental Baking Company, was formally presented during a ceremony on December 15 at the Verandah within Juici Empowerment Park in Clarendon. This community-building program creates unique opportunities for children to select toys and gifts while accompanied by police officers, effectively fostering positive interactions and strengthening trust between law enforcement and citizens.

Custos of Clarendon and Juici Patties director Edith Chin emphasized the program’s significance, describing it as “a simple but meaningful programme that brings children and police officers together in a positive way during the holiday season.” The substantial donation will dramatically increase the initiative’s capacity, expanding from serving 50 children in the previous year to 200 beneficiaries this holiday season.

Continental Baking Company director Craig Hendrickson, whose organization contributed $1 million, expressed pride in supporting the initiative, noting it was “awesome to be a part of something that really helps kids, especially at this time right after Melissa. It is for those who are in need, it is something that is really special, and they will really appreciate it.”

Superintendent Anton-Gur Cardoza, Head of Operations for Clarendon Police, shared poignant insights from previous implementations, revealing that some children prioritized practical needs over toys. “Some of these children opted to go to the supermarket, some opted to get some things that we thought were very basic, but that was something that they really wanted for their Christmas to enjoy,” he recounted. The superintendent particularly recalled one child who requested only a pair of school shoes, which police happily provided along with additional gifts from stakeholders.

Juici Patties staff members expressed strong support for the program, with Executive Assistant Shelly-Ann Ford stating: “It is my responsibility to give back and support my company in this initiative because it is something that I am passionate about.” Management consultant Daniel Lowe praised the initiative as “a chance to spread a little love and light at this time of year,” while Marketing Manager Kellon Williams noted the importance of providing children with “a little treat outside of the essentials.”

Originally pioneered by the St Catherine South Police Division, the Shop With a Cop program has been adopted by multiple police divisions across Jamaica, evolving into one of the JCF’s most cherished Christmas traditions that continues to strengthen community bonds.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands – In a significant development for public sector employees, British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has confirmed that a substantial portion of long-delayed increment payments will be disbursed to government workers in time for the Christmas season. The remaining balances are scheduled for settlement by early 2026.

The Premier made this announcement during a recent press conference, characterizing the move as a relief measure for public servants who have endured years of financial uncertainty regarding their owed increments. “I am pleased to declare that a majority of our dedicated public servants will receive the bulk of their outstanding increment payments this Christmas, with the residual amounts finalized in the early part of 2026,” Wheatley stated.

This decision culminates years of persistent appeals from public officers and commentators demanding the resolution of unpaid increments, some of which have been pending across multiple performance review cycles. Historical partial disbursements failed to fully address the issue, with employees repeatedly highlighting how the protracted delays inflicted financial strain and diminished morale within the vital public service sector.

The accumulation of increment arrears has emerged as a perennial national concern, frequently surfacing in legislative budget debates, union negotiations, and public discourse forums. Previous administrations have acknowledged the existing backlog, attributing the delays to a combination of fiscal constraints and administrative complexities.

Premier Wheatley framed the initiative as reflecting the benevolent spirit of the holiday season. He further indicated that the Minister of Communications and Works is poised to unveil an additional government-led community initiative for the wider Virgin Islands populace in the near future.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an inspiring display of community solidarity, renowned Jamaican selector Marlon ‘Boom Boom’ Wizard has reimagined his personal birthday celebration into a substantial humanitarian campaign for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The initiative received significant backing from Boom Energy Drink, which contributed over one million Jamaican dollars (approximately $6,400 USD) in essential relief supplies.

The collaborative effort brought together personnel from Wisynco, Boom Energy Drink, Boom Boom’s World Team Ent, and the Boom Sunday Crew, who assembled more than 200 comprehensive care packages on Tuesday. These vital supplies were strategically distributed to severely impacted residents in Clark’s Town, Trelawny, with additional allocations directed to Dromilly Basic School and Hampden Primary School to support educational recovery efforts.

Beyond the prepared packages, Wizard personally donated critical infrastructure equipment including power generators, cooking stoves, and a substantial water tank to address immediate recovery needs and strengthen community resilience in the hurricane-affected regions.

Khaleel Smith, Brand Manager at Boom Energy Drink, emphasized the initiative’s significance: ‘Boom Boom has transformed his birthday into a powerful demonstration of generosity. Our collaboration perfectly embodies the ‘Boom with Love’ initiative’s core mission—channeling our energy and resources to create meaningful impact during times of crisis. Bringing both Christmas cheer and essential support to Melissa-affected communities represents exactly the type of difference we strive to make.’

The relief effort arrives during Jamaica’s critical recovery period following Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path, highlighting how public figures and corporate entities can effectively combine resources to address emergency community needs.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic passage, a coalition of civic organizations has mobilized to support the recovery of a vital early childhood education center in St. James, Jamaica. The DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School, a cornerstone institution established in 1988, sustained near-total destruction, losing approximately 95% of its infrastructure according to Principal Heather Wiggan.

The hurricane’s impact rendered the physical plant inoperable, stripping roofs, submerging classrooms in mud and silt, and destroying all educational furniture and equipment. This forced an immediate transition to remote learning modalities—a strategy previously developed during COVID-19 disruptions—though connectivity challenges persist. Teachers now distribute digital activities and conduct limited in-person reviews weekly.

Volunteers from the JN Foundation and the National Helmet Wearing Coalition conducted intensive cleanup operations, removing debris and cleansing mud-filled spaces to enable damage assessment and future reconstruction. Laurie Radlin-Walker, a coalition volunteer, emphasized the humanitarian imperative: ‘This is for the children… once they can return to a clean environment, that makes it worth it.’

Sydoney Preddie, JN Foundation’s youth and education lead, characterized the cleaning as a critical first phase before structural repairs can commence. The initiative aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to educational development, particularly recognizing the foundational importance of early childhood learning.

Despite progress, Principal Wiggan underscores substantial unmet needs: major reconstruction, building supplies, classroom resources, and cafeteria equipment. The institution, serving 165 students and functioning as a training model for early childhood educators, seeks further corporate and public support to restore a safe, nurturing learning environment.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican fire safety authorities have issued an urgent public advisory regarding the proper use of household electrical equipment, highlighting significant fire risks associated with common practices. The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has intensified its safety campaign following concerns about widespread misuse of extension cords and power devices that could lead to dangerous overheating and residential fires.

Emeleo Ebanks, Public Education Officer and Superintendent at JFB, delivered crucial technical guidance during a recent JIS Think Tank session. He emphasized that standard extension cords, particularly those with two-prong configurations, lack the capacity to handle substantial electrical loads. “Extension cords featuring only two prongs should be avoided entirely,” Ebanks stated. “Consumers must insist on three-prong designs incorporating negative, positive, and grounding connections for basic safety.”

The fire official specifically addressed the dangerous practice of physically altering three-prong plugs to fit outdated two-prong outlets. “Modifying plugs by removing the grounding prong with tools creates immediate fire hazards,” Ebanks warned. “If your electrical outlets cannot accommodate three-prong plugs, they require professional upgrading rather than makeshift solutions.”

Kitchen environments received particular attention in the safety briefing. Ebanks explained that manufacturers intentionally design kitchen appliances with short power cords to discourage extension cord use. High-wattage devices like blenders and mixers demand substantial energy transfer that most extension cords cannot safely conduct, leading to dangerous heat accumulation.

For enhanced protection, authorities recommend specialized equipment including refrigerator guards and certified surge protectors rather than conventional power strips. “Consumers must distinguish between genuine surge protectors and basic power distribution strips,” Ebanks clarified, urging careful product selection during purchases.

The JFB continues to reinforce electrical safety awareness through public education initiatives, aiming to reduce preventable residential fires across Jamaican communities.