标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s judicial administration has confirmed the complete preservation of all court records following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, leveraging robust digital and physical protection systems to prevent any loss of critical legal documents.

Kadiesh Jarrett-Fletcher, Director of Client Services, Communications and Information at the Court Administration Division (CAD), provided explicit assurances to concerned citizens regarding the integrity of judicial materials. “We recognize public apprehension about case files, particularly for ongoing legal proceedings,” Jarrett-Fletcher stated in an interview with JIS News. “Our integrated approach combining electronic archiving with physical safeguards has successfully protected all court records despite the hurricane’s severity.”

The administration is concurrently addressing technological challenges arising from storm-related disruptions. Judicial facilities maintained operational continuity through backup power systems, with officials ensuring continuous generator refueling to sustain electricity-dependent operations. “Our preparedness included emergency power provisions at most court locations, enabling maintained functionality during grid outages,” Jarrett-Fletcher explained.

Progress in restoring regular services continues as power returns to western parish towns where numerous courts operate, gradually reducing dependence on temporary power solutions. The strategic deployment of Starlink satellite internet systems has further enhanced connectivity restoration efforts across affected jurisdictions.

While acknowledging persistent connectivity challenges, Jarrett-Fletcher expressed measured optimism about recovery progress: “We’re effectively managing remaining technological limitations through satellite solutions and restoring conventional service providers. The judiciary is steadily progressing toward full operational normalcy.”

The CAD maintains ongoing surveillance of all judicial facilities nationwide to guarantee uninterrupted public access to justice services while continuing post-hurricane recovery operations.

In a significant response to Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, the Jamaican Government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining uninterrupted social welfare payments while deploying enhanced financial support for the nation’s most vulnerable populations. The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), Jamaica’s flagship social protection initiative, continues its December disbursements without disruption despite widespread infrastructure damage from the October 28 storm.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in partnership with UNICEF, is deploying an additional J$187.2 million in targeted assistance ahead of the Christmas season. This emergency allocation includes J$151 million dedicated to 40,000 children enrolled in PATH and substantial support for 1,500 children with disabilities—providing critical relief to families grappling with the hurricane’s aftermath.

Portfolio Minister Pearnel Charles Jr., addressing the Jamaica Observer Press Club on Thursday, emphasized the deliberate measures implemented to ensure continuity of payments. “Melissa did not determine its path based on your vulnerability. Everybody gets hit,” Charles Jr. noted, explaining that the ministry recognized how the disaster amplified existing challenges for PATH beneficiaries.

The government has implemented innovative solutions to overcome access barriers created by damaged infrastructure. Where traditional payment collection points became inaccessible, alternative locations were established through post offices and remittance agencies. The ministry simultaneously commenced December payments while reissuing uncollected cheques from October and November.

Audrey Deer-Williams, Chief Technical Director for the Social Security Division, confirmed temporary waivers of program compliance requirements. Beneficiaries unable to meet school attendance or other conditions due to hurricane-related disruptions will still receive full entitlements—a compassionate adjustment acknowledging extraordinary circumstances.

Beyond financial assistance, the ministry’s comprehensive response includes material support and psychosocial care. Social workers have distributed emergency packages, mattresses, and other essentials to pensioners, persons with disabilities, and PATH beneficiaries who suffered property or livelihood losses. Minister Charles Jr. highlighted the psychological dimension of recovery, explaining that assessments intentionally accommodate trauma processing: “People need us not just to provide them with a package, but as a sort of conduit for them to release and ventilate a lot of the trauma.”

The multilayered approach demonstrates Jamaica’s commitment to both immediate relief and sustainable recovery, ensuring that social protection systems remain resilient during natural disasters while addressing both physical and emotional needs of affected communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive ruling at the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Thursday, St Andrew real estate developer Devon Evans was acquitted of all criminal charges stemming from a 2008 property transaction. The case, which involved allegations of fraudulent conversion and obtaining money under false pretenses, concluded after the prosecution’s evidence unraveled under judicial scrutiny.

The controversy centered on the sale of a townhouse to Dr. Loyd Goldson, who had paid a substantial deposit exceeding US$400,000 and taken possession of the property. The core allegation asserted that Evans failed to transfer the registered title to Dr. Goldson following the transaction. Additional claims suggested Evans had withheld rental income from a separate townhouse in which Dr. Goldson held a financial interest. These complaints prompted an investigation by the Jamaican Fraud Squad, leading to criminal charges against Evans.

However, the trial took a dramatic turn during cross-examination by Evans’ legal representative, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie. Through rigorous questioning, significant inconsistencies emerged in Dr. Goldson’s testimony. A critical revelation indicated that Dr. Goldson was aware prior to his deposit that the property was under a lien from the National Commercial Bank, legally preventing Evans from immediately transferring the title. Furthermore, evidence demonstrated that Evans had, in fact, remitted all disputed rental income from the second property to Dr. Goldson, directly contradicting the allegations.

Presiding Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks highlighted that the credibility of the prosecution’s case was severely compromised by these inconsistencies, creating what he described as a ‘state of uncertainty.’ The defense successfully argued that the dispute, involving contractual and ownership complexities, was inherently civil in nature and did not warrant criminal prosecution. This verdict not only exonerates Evans but also underscores the critical distinction between civil contractual disputes and criminal fraud within the Jamaican judicial system.

In a landmark development for urban infrastructure, the Riverton Meadows community in St Andrew Western witnessed a transformative conclusion to its electricity regularization project on Thursday. The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), in collaboration with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), successfully integrated over 200 households into the formal power grid through the Riverton Meadows Electricity Access Project.

The $150-million initiative targeted rampant electricity theft that had plagued the community for decades, causing significant revenue losses and safety hazards. JPS reported experiencing approximately 90% revenue loss in the area prior to intervention, according to Marilyn McDonald, manager of JPS’s Community Renewal Department.

Resident Rushelle Dubidad expressed profound relief, describing how illegal connections previously destroyed appliances and created financial burdens. “We lost televisions, fridges, you name it. As soon as somebody boosted the power, everything in your house would chip out,” she recounted, noting residents previously paid approximately $30,000 for unauthorized repairs.

The comprehensive project involved substantial infrastructure upgrades including pole installations, transformer enhancements, and service line improvements totaling $58 million. An additional $37 million was allocated for social intervention programs, while the JPS Foundation contributed $55 million, bringing total investment to $153 million.

Beyond technical improvements, the initiative included community education on electricity safety, energy conservation, and payment practices. Through partnership with JSIF and the Government of Jamaica, new prepaid customers received over $4,000 monthly electricity credits for six months, totaling $4.8 million in support.

Anthony Hylton, Member of Parliament for St Andrew Western, acknowledged the extensive lobbying required to demonstrate the community’s need. Pia Baker, JPS senior vice-president of customer and commercial services, emphasized that electricity access represents “opportunity” – enabling children to study safely, preserving food and medicines, and supporting legitimate small businesses.

The closing ceremony at Riverton Meadows Baptist Church, which included a Christmas treat for children, marked a new chapter of legal connectivity and economic integration for the community.

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – In a significant post-hurricane recovery initiative, Couples Resorts has launched a comprehensive rebuilding program for employees affected by Hurricane Melissa. Through its philanthropic arm, the Issa Trust Foundation, the resort group welcomed its first volunteer construction team on December 1, shortly after reopening to guests.

The volunteer mission, spearheaded by Wisconsin-based contractor Dirk Bartolazzi of Bartolazzi Homes, dedicated the past week to reconstructing and repairing homes of severely impacted staff members from both Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away resorts in Westmoreland. Beyond immediate construction work, the program includes distributing essential building supplies to affected team members, with plans for the volunteer team to return in the new year to continue reconstruction efforts.

Paul Issa, Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, explained the strategic shift in focus: “While our foundation has historically concentrated on pediatric health care, we made a decisive pivot following Hurricane Melissa to address the urgent housing needs of our Couples Resorts staff. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our loyal repeat guests and various donors, we are actively executing this mission.”

Bartolazzi emphasized the urgency of their mission: “When families lose their homes, time becomes critical. Our objectives were straightforward: act swiftly, maintain safety protocols, and restore homes that families can truly call their own. Witnessing the immediate transformation and the restoration of hope is precisely what motivates our work.”

The hurricane response included extensive relief measures beyond reconstruction. Couples Resorts mobilized immediate support through care packages containing food, water, batteries, and other essentials, provided temporary housing for over 100 displaced employees, and continued wage payments throughout the recovery period.

A transparent disaster relief fund, established with contributions from dedicated resort guests, friends, and partners, has distributed approximately US$455,000 in financial assistance based on damage assessments. This total includes a substantial US$100,000 contribution from Couples Resorts itself.

The rebuilding process has received personal attention from leadership, with Couples Resorts Chairman Lee Issa and his brother Paul, Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, personally visiting reconstruction sites in Westmoreland to monitor progress and support affected staff.

The Jamaican government has initiated a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for its hurricane-battered fisheries sector, combining immediate emergency aid with strategic long-term investments. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green unveiled the multi-faceted approach during a Jamaica Observer Press Club meeting, detailing both current relief distributions and future reconstruction plans.

Immediate response efforts have already delivered critical supplies to fishing communities across multiple parishes including Portland, St Mary, and St Thomas. The government has allocated approximately $30 million Jamaican dollars worth of wiring materials to repair damaged fishing equipment alongside providing generators to fuel stations, enabling fishers to resume operations more quickly.

The catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, has been quantified through preliminary assessments by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). CEO Dr. Gavin Bellamy reported billions of dollars in losses across fishing communities, aquaculture enterprises, and essential infrastructure. Particularly devastating was the damage in southwestern regions, where some communities experienced complete destruction of fishing vessels alongside severe losses of engines, gear storage facilities, and processing sites.

Minister Green emphasized the priority of redistributing boats and engines, particularly through a youth-focused program targeting fishers under 35 years old. The existing boat and engine program, which began before the hurricane, will continue with approximately 14 additional boats scheduled for distribution alongside engine replacement grants.

The recovery strategy extends beyond equipment replacement to include significant infrastructure rebuilding. Green announced plans for beach reconstruction and the development of enhanced regional hubs, citing Black River in St. Elizabeth as one location where destroyed fuel stations and offices will be rebuilt to higher standards.

Collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is underway to direct loss and damage funds specifically toward fisheries recovery. The minister highlighted the importance of maintaining strategic reserves of emergency supplies for future crises, noting that rapid response capability is crucial for the fishing and farming sectors where operational delays directly translate to financial losses.

The government’s approach prioritizes building back with improved resilience rather than implementing temporary fixes, aiming to create a more robust foundation for Jamaica’s fishing communities whose livelihoods were severely disrupted by the natural disaster.