KINGSTON, Jamaica — Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, has firmly dismissed claims by reggae icon Buju Banton that hurricane relief supplies were stolen at the port. The allegations, which surfaced in a viral video, prompted an immediate investigation. Vaz shared the findings on X, stating that no evidence of missing or tampered goods was uncovered. The minister emphasized that the shipment arrived on Tuesday and was promptly cleared by customs, with items directly transferred from the aircraft to the receiving truck without any offsite storage. He also clarified that the shipment did not include stoves or Starlink devices, countering specific claims in the viral post. Vaz acknowledged historical issues with customs operations but stressed that each report of irregularity is thoroughly investigated. He shared a detailed list of the relief items to ensure transparency. Buju Banton’s video, which has garnered international media attention, accused port authorities of theft, citing a half-filled barrel as evidence. Other social media users echoed similar concerns, reporting missing or partially emptied containers.
分类： society
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Fields: Deactivate inactive taxi and livery plates
A former Nassau Cruise Port director has lauded the government’s initiative to reclaim nearly 800 inactive taxi and livery plates but emphasized the need for more stringent measures to address the oversaturated market. Ed Fields, who previously served as the port’s director of business development and as managing director of the Downtown Nassau Partnership, urged officials to permanently deactivate these plates and impose a moratorium on new issuances. He also called for the publication of a list of current plate holders, expressing concerns that some plates are held by individuals who should not possess them. Fields criticized the distribution of public service franchises, describing them as ‘coveted gems’ awarded without proper analysis or industry engagement. His remarks followed the Ministry of Transport and Energy’s announcement to recall 783 inactive plates, which Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said has distorted revenue at the Road Traffic Department. Fields acknowledged the recall as a positive step but warned that reactivating the plates would worsen market imbalances. He advocated for transparency in plate ownership, a moratorium on new plates until supply and demand are balanced, and an end to the practice of leasing plates, which he likened to ‘sharecropping or indentured servitude.’ Bahamas Taxicab Union President Tyrone Butler echoed these concerns, criticizing the government’s past issuance of new plates without first addressing inactive ones, which he said has led to market oversaturation and forced operators to lease their plates. While supporting the recall of plates belonging to retired or deceased holders, Butler suggested allowing necessary updates to active plates.
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Minister of the People tours Sewa clothing drive
On November 13, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, visited the Sewa TT Clothing Recycle Project 2025 at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas. This annual initiative, which focuses on recycling and redistributing clothing, is set to benefit over 6,000 individuals, including 1,100 directly supported by the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services (MPSDFS).
The project, a collaboration between the ministry and Sewa TT, aims to identify NGOs, transitional facilities, and vulnerable clients to ensure the clothing reaches those in need. Minister Mohit praised Sewa TT for its dedication to social responsibility and volunteerism, emphasizing how the initiative promotes sustainability while restoring dignity and comfort to the less fortunate.
In a press release, the ministry highlighted the significance of such partnerships, stating, ‘This project reflects the power of collaboration and compassion. It is a shining example of how partnerships between government and civil society can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.’ The release also underscored the ministry’s broader mission to strengthen ties with NGOs and community organizations, fostering a more inclusive and caring society.
Accompanied by Cindy Heeralal, NGO unit coordinator at MPSDFS, and Sewa TT president Revan Teelucksingh, Minister Mohit toured the project site, witnessing firsthand the preparation and distribution of clothing. The event showcased the collective efforts of volunteers and officials, reinforcing the importance of community-driven initiatives in addressing social challenges.
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WATCH: Bellefield councillor concerned over motorists disobeying warnings of Content road closure
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Mario Mitchell, Councillor for the Bellefield Division in Manchester, has issued a stern warning to the public to avoid the rising groundwater along the Content main road in Manchester. The situation has escalated to dangerous levels, with a truck driver narrowly avoiding a potential disaster on Thursday morning. The vehicle was halted by sandbags, preventing it from plunging into the water. Mitchell emphasized that despite barriers being placed at the roundabout, individuals continue to remove them, drawn by the allure of the rising water for photography and leisure activities.
The rising water has not only disrupted daily life but has also become a peculiar attraction for onlookers. Mitchell expressed grave concerns over public health, stating that the water is heavily contaminated. He personally assisted in evacuating residents from the affected area, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the flooding. The presence of a sinkhole and a saturated aquifer has exacerbated the situation, making it difficult to divert the water effectively.
Mitchell also criticized the lack of a concrete plan from the National Works Agency (NWA) to address the crisis. He noted that the water is spreading to other areas, including Porus and Evergreen, and has already blocked the Content main road. The absence of an alternative route has left residents in a state of uncertainty. Mitchell attributed the flooding to decades of bauxite mining, which has altered the region’s landscape and created a problem that remains unresolved.
In a plea to the public, Mitchell urged individuals to avoid contact with the water, citing the presence of graves, old pits, and latrines that have contaminated it. Despite its visually appealing green hue, tests have confirmed significant contamination levels. Mitchell called for immediate action and a coordinated response to mitigate the crisis and protect the community.
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US/V’Zuela/TT tensions – Archbishop Gordon, ‘put faith over fear’
In the midst of escalating tensions between the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, Archbishop Jason Charles Gordon has called for the nation to prioritize faith over fear, which has been amplified by social media. Speaking during a Mass on November 9 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and the 174th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Gordon drew parallels between the challenges faced by the late Archbishop Anthony Pantin and the current geopolitical unrest. He emphasized that while the nation faces international conflict rather than internal political strife, faith in God remains the cornerstone of hope. Gordon’s remarks coincide with Venezuela’s large-scale military readiness exercise involving 200,000 soldiers, which coincided with the arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, in the Caribbean. Since September, the US has conducted military operations in the southern Caribbean Sea, targeting narco-terrorists with 17 strikes resulting in approximately 70 deaths. US President Trump has also declared that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s days are numbered, a stance supported by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Archbishop Gordon urged the faithful to place their trust in God rather than being swayed by social media. He reflected on the Catholic Church’s 175-year history of enduring trials, including political upheaval, social unrest, and now potential military conflict. Gordon concluded with a call to focus on God, emphasizing that faith and hope lie in divine hands. The Mass ended with prayers for the government and a plea for peace in the Caribbean through dialogue and collaboration.
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Promoters’ warning after ban on Udecott venues: ‘Death blow for fetes’
The Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association (TTPA) has strongly criticized the government’s abrupt decision to ban all fetes and Carnival-related events at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) and other Udecott-controlled facilities. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s announcement, made on November 12, has been labeled as “destructive, short-sighted, and a death knell for the entertainment industry” by the TTPA. The association has called for an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision, but Persad-Bissessar has firmly stated that the ban will not be reversed. The decision, which took immediate effect, has left over 20 major Carnival events without a venue, with promoters already informed that their permissions have been revoked. The TTPA argues that this move, coupled with recent increases in alcohol prices, has had a catastrophic impact on the entertainment sector, forcing many businesses to consider closures, cancellations, and job cuts. Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin defended the decision, citing long-standing complaints from residents about noise pollution and emphasizing the government’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of all citizens. Meanwhile, San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris sees the ban as an opportunity to revitalize the city’s cultural and entertainment sector, with Skinner Park poised to become a new hub for major events.
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FNM candidate for Fox Hill claims latest office break-in caused $8k in damages
Dr. Nicholas Fox, the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate for Fox Hill, expressed dismay after his Collins Avenue medical clinic was vandalized over the weekend, marking the second such incident this year. The clinic suffered approximately $8,000 in damages as vandals shattered glass, overturned files, and caused widespread destruction. Police arrested a 25-year-old suspect early Saturday morning after he attempted to flee through a hole in the roof. A backpack containing coins, food, and a cellphone, believed stolen during a previous break-in, was recovered. Dr. Fox described the attack as senseless, noting that nothing of significant value was taken but that the clinic was left in disarray. ‘Everything that could break was broken,’ he said. The vandalism disrupted operations after security camera and internet wires were severed, forcing staff to process patients manually. Despite the challenges, the clinic served over 100 patients the following day. Dr. Fox emphasized that the clinic has since resumed full operations and implemented enhanced security measures. While he could not confirm whether the incident was politically motivated, he reaffirmed his commitment to providing quality healthcare to the Bahamian people. The clinic was previously targeted in July, shortly after Dr. Fox was ratified as the FNM’s Fox Hill candidate. That earlier break-in resulted in the theft of three iPads containing sensitive patient data and over $2,000 in cash. The stolen devices were later remotely wiped by the clinic’s electronic medical records provider.
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Great Huts Eco Resort launches ‘Resilient Rhythms’ wellness programme in Portland
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s widespread devastation, Great Huts Eco Resort in Portland, Jamaica, is transforming its serene cliffside location into a hub for community healing and personal renewal. Managing Director Vivene Wallace and Pilates instructor Iyla Cousins have unveiled ‘Resilient Rhythms,’ a biweekly wellness program set to run from November 22, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Originally conceived as part of a broader wellness initiative for Portland, the program has taken on new significance in the wake of the hurricane, focusing on physical and emotional recovery. Participants will engage in guided mat Pilates sessions, restorative flows, and group journaling, all designed to calm the nervous system, rebuild strength, and foster human connections. ‘Pilates empowers the body and refocuses the mind,’ Cousins remarked. ‘These sessions remind us that through movement and community, we can rebuild—inside and out.’ The classes will be held at Great Huts Eco Resort, offering stunning views of Boston Bay. Each session is priced at J$3,000 for locals and J$4,500 for visitors, with bundle rates available. Attendees will also enjoy curated wellness experiences, including access to local healers, nourishing refreshments, and the resort’s natural and artistic spaces. Additionally, participants are encouraged to bring donation items for hurricane-affected communities in western Jamaica and St Ann, with incentives such as discounts on classes and accommodations. Local vendors with wellness products are invited to connect via @matandflow. For registration and updates, follow @matandflow and @great.huts on social media or contact via WhatsApp at 876-353-3388. Accommodation packages are available at www.greathuts.com, with 15% of proceeds supporting the Portland Rehabilitation Management Centre.
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Pork production expected to decline, but farmers struggle with current oversupply
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Pig Farmers Association (JPFA) has issued a stark warning about the challenges facing the nation’s pork industry. While an oversupply of pigs is currently burdening farmers, a significant decline in pork production is anticipated in the coming months. This paradoxical situation stems from the temporary closure of numerous hotels and businesses, which has disrupted traditional market channels.
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Transfer system failing students
In a distressing case that highlights systemic failures in the education system, a 14-year-old girl from Calvary Hill, Arima, has been deprived of her right to education for over two years due to severe bullying and bureaucratic inefficiency. The girl, who excelled in her SEA exams in 2023, was forced to withdraw from school after her parents’ repeated pleas for help went unanswered. Despite filing an official police report and seeking assistance from the Ministry of Education, the family encountered a labyrinth of red tape and delays. By January 2025, the girl was enrolled in a private school, where she achieved an impressive 75% average, but her education was cut short when her parents could no longer afford the fees. Now, she remains at home, her dreams of learning fading away. Minister of Education Dr. Michael Dowlath acknowledged the case but cited bureaucratic challenges within the ministry. This incident is not isolated, as former TTUTA president Martin Lum Kin revealed that similar cases have been reported. The government’s inability to address such basic procedural failures raises serious concerns about its commitment to safeguarding children’s education and well-being.