标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has intensified efforts to restore public recreational facilities ahead of the Christmas season, completing comprehensive renovations at multiple high-profile locations. The recently reopened attractions include Dunn’s River Falls and Park, Reach Falls, Ocho Rios Bay Beach, and Harmony Beach Park, all now fully operational for public enjoyment.

The coordinated restoration initiative represents a strategic investment in both community infrastructure and economic revitalization. Since reopening earlier this month, these spaces have immediately reactivated local economic networks, providing renewed income opportunities for small enterprises, artisan vendors, and transportation services.

Tourism officials emphasize the broader implications of these reopenings, noting that visitor confidence directly correlates with national economic recovery. With tourism serving as Jamaica’s primary economic engine—supporting countless households and service sectors—the timely restoration of attractions has been prioritized as a matter of national importance.

Additional reopenings are scheduled throughout November, with Long Bay Beach anticipated to welcome visitors by November 29, followed shortly by Bluefields Beach Park the subsequent week. This phased approach ensures both safety standards and operational excellence are maintained across all facilities.

UDC General Manager Bobby Honeyghan observed that the return of visitors has created palpable positive energy: ‘Witnessing Jamaicans and international guests rediscovering these spaces with renewed comfort and normalcy holds profound significance for our organization. These attractions serve as vital sanctuaries for community reconnection and personal restoration after challenging times.’

The corporation reaffirms its dedication to maintaining these spaces as reliable, secure, and uplifting environments that embody national pride while supporting Jamaica’s broader tourism ecosystem during the critical holiday season.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, the demand for housing has surged, particularly in the western regions where many residents have been displaced. This increased demand has unfortunately provided fertile ground for fraudsters to exploit vulnerable individuals through real estate scams. Reports indicate that scammers are leveraging platforms like TikTok and even traditional media to advertise fraudulent rental and property listings. One realtor from the south-central part of the island revealed that their phone has been inundated with inquiries from people seeking housing, many of whom have already fallen victim to these scams. The realtor emphasized the difficulty in distinguishing genuine listings from fraudulent ones, even in classified ads. Kimberly Blair of Gourzong Realty Group has urged potential buyers to exercise extreme caution, highlighting the financial vulnerability of many at this time. Andrew James, Chairman of the Real Estate Board (REB), acknowledged the issue and stated that efforts are underway to increase public awareness in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ). RAJ’s Second Vice-President, Roger Allen, noted that the strategic plan to combat real estate fraud, delayed by Hurricane Melissa, is now being ramped up. This includes workshops, seminars, and a centralized system for reporting and recording scams. Allen also warned of an anticipated rise in property sales in less affected areas, urging the public to only engage with licensed realtors and to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

A comprehensive recovery initiative is currently in progress at the Santa Cruz Infirmary in St. Elizabeth, addressing severe structural damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa approximately one month ago. The catastrophic weather event resulted in extensive flooding and roof destruction at the facility that provides care for vulnerable residents.

Under the leadership of Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, a multi-agency task force convened on Thursday to execute critical clean-up and repair operations. The coordinated effort brought together expertise from the Social Development Commission (SDC), the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), and the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).

The infirmary, which typically houses around 50 residents, has implemented temporary co-educational arrangements following substantial devastation to the female ward. This emergency measure has allowed continued operation despite the significant infrastructure challenges.

Matron Bianca Michelle Smith expressed profound gratitude for the governmental response, characterizing the support as emotionally uplifting for both staff and residents. “I am quite elated and happy for the response shown by the minister…especially Minister McKenzie to come and pull together this team to come and fix the infirmary,” Smith stated.

Recounting the traumatic experience during the hurricane, Smith revealed that floodwaters reached waist-level within the facility, creating life-threatening conditions. She credited a collapsed perimeter wall with preventing even greater catastrophe by allowing water to partially drain from the building.

The psychological impact on residents has been substantial, with many experiencing disorientation and distress following the disaster. Smith noted that patients struggled to recognize their transformed living environment and lost personal belongings to flood damage. Nursing staff have provided essential emotional support and counseling alongside physical care, helping residents gradually adapt to their changed circumstances amid ongoing recovery efforts.

EG Hunter, CEO of Jamaica’s National Works Agency (NWA), has identified the country’s heavy dependence on single-occupant vehicles as a primary cause of Kingston’s persistent traffic congestion. Speaking at a recent session of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee, Hunter emphasized that Kingston’s gridlock is largely a result of a transportation system centered on private cars rather than mass transit. He argued that no modern city effectively moves its population using individual transport, stressing the necessity of mass transit solutions. Hunter also highlighted the NWA’s ongoing road expansion projects, including upgrades to Grange Lane, Hellshire, and Braeton roadways, as part of efforts to alleviate congestion. However, he acknowledged delays in key projects due to funding reallocations. Hunter further pointed to the significant reduction in traffic during school holidays as evidence of how school-related trips exacerbate the problem. He called for a reevaluation of urban planning and transportation policies to address the crisis.

DIJON, France — A daring prison escape in eastern France has cast a harsh spotlight on the nation’s severe prison overcrowding problem. Two inmates successfully broke out of Dijon Correctional Facility in the predawn hours of Thursday using an improvised method reminiscent of classic prison films, according to judicial authorities.

Prosecutor Olivier Caracotch confirmed that the fugitives—a 19-year-old awaiting trial for attempted murder and a 32-year-old convicted of domestic violence—had sawed through their cell bars using manual blades before descending to freedom with knotted bed sheets. The escape was discovered during routine guard checks shortly before dawn.

The incident underscores systemic failures within France’s penal system, which suffers from some of Europe’s worst overcrowding conditions. Dijon’s aging facility, originally constructed in 1853, currently houses 311 inmates in a space designed for 180—a occupancy rate exceeding 170%.

Ahmed Saih, a union representative for prison officers, revealed that staff had repeatedly warned administration about security vulnerabilities after previous discoveries of saw blades within the prison. “We’ve been warning about the risk of a jail break for months,” Saih stated, demanding increased staffing and modern security equipment including saw-resistant bar materials.

The escape follows another recent security breach in Rennes where an inmate fled during an off-site excursion to a planetarium. That fugitive was apprehended Thursday in a traveler community camp near Nantes, prompting Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to dismiss the prison’s director.

Three prison directors’ unions have launched scathing criticism against Minister Darmanin, accusing his administration of prioritizing new supermax prisons for drug traffickers and terrorist suspects while neglecting mainstream correctional facilities. In a joint statement, they condemned the “devotion of all resources of a debt-ridden state” to high-security facilities at the expense of ordinary prisons.

Firsthand accounts from recently released inmates describe intolerable conditions, with three prisoners frequently sharing cells designed for one—two occupying bunk beds while a third sleeps on the floor. The justice ministry acknowledges the infrastructure crisis but has yet to announce concrete measures addressing the systemic overcrowding highlighted by these security failures.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant boost to community development initiatives, the professional services firm KPMG Jamaica has substantially enhanced Project STAR’s operational capabilities through a strategic technology donation. The firm recently presented 40 laptops to support the implementation of community-based programs spanning multiple Jamaican communities.

The technology transfer, formally executed at KPMG’s Duke Street headquarters in Kingston, will be distributed across two annual phases of 20 devices each. This equipment will directly serve Project STAR field teams operating in five priority communities: Rose Gardens, Parade Gardens, May Pen, Savanna-la-Mar and Salt Spring.

Raymond Campbell, Office Managing Partner at KPMG Jamaica and CARICOM country leader, characterized the contribution as a milestone in their ongoing collaboration with Project STAR. “KPMG fundamentally views technology access as gateway to opportunity,” Campbell stated. “This initiative transcends mere device distribution—it’s about igniting potential, developing crucial skills, and creating viable pathways to meaningful employment for vulnerable populations.”

The technological infusion will optimize Project STAR’s operational efficiency by enabling streamlined coordination, enhanced reporting capabilities, and improved project management systems. This infrastructure enhancement will simultaneously free existing resources for more direct community intervention work.

Campbell confirmed KPMG’s commitment to sustained partnership, with additional laptop donations already planned for the subsequent financial year to expand the initiative’s impact.

Ian Neita, Chair of Project STAR’s Management, Monitoring and Reporting Committee, acknowledged the critical importance of corporate partnerships in maintaining project sustainability. “KPMG’s continued endorsement and support fundamentally strengthens our implementation capacity,” Neita emphasized. “These resources will directly empower our staff and volunteers as they execute life-transforming solutions in communities nationwide.”

The collaboration exemplifies how strategic corporate support can amplify the reach and effectiveness of social initiatives. Project STAR—a joint venture between the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and the Jamaica Constabulary Force—focuses on crime reduction through socioeconomic transformation in targeted communities across Jamaica.

The Jamaica National (JN) Foundation has announced its commitment to urgently repair the DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School in Catherine Hall, St James, which suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The school, originally designed with seven classrooms to accommodate 140 children, now serves over 160 students and was severely impacted by high winds and floodwaters, resulting in 95% damage. Sydoney Preddie, speaking at a JIS Think Tank event, emphasized the school’s critical role in early childhood education and its location in one of the hardest-hit areas. The repair initiative aligns with the JN Foundation’s focus on early childhood development and coincides with the Regional Colloquium on Early Childhood Education, a two-day event advocating for Jamaica’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Professor Zoyah Kinkead Clark of UWI Mona highlighted the importance of partnerships in rebuilding the sector, noting the devastating effects of school disruptions on young children. The school, named after Dudley Ransford Brandyce (DRB) Grant, a pioneer in Jamaican early childhood education, stands as a symbol of resilience and the urgent need for collective action in the face of natural disasters.