标签： Jamaica

Members of Jamaica’s Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee expressed deep skepticism on Wednesday over the National Water Commission’s (NWC) optimistic recovery figures following Hurricane Melissa. Despite NWC’s claim that 75% of its systems had been restored islandwide, MPs highlighted the stark disparity between these numbers and the ongoing water shortages in severely affected western parishes. Acting NWC Vice President of Operations, Dr. Phillipa Campbell-Francis, explained the complexity of the recovery process, citing 1,000 water systems dependent on electricity, many of which remain damaged or inoperable. However, MPs like James Robertson of St Thomas Western and Heroy Clarke of St James Central argued that the NWC’s data failed to reflect the dire reality on the ground, where communities still lacked piped water weeks after the storm. Clarke criticized the inefficiency of water trucking operations, noting that logistical delays left many areas underserved. MPs also questioned the methodology behind the NWC’s figures, with Richard Azan of Clarendon North Western quipping that the numbers seemed “drone-generated.” NWC officials acknowledged challenges, including power outages, siltation, and pipeline leaks, but assured that efforts were underway to restore full service. Despite support from Global Support and Development, which provided emergency water supplies, parishes like Westmoreland and St Elizabeth remain far from full recovery. The committee urged the NWC to provide clearer data and realistic timelines to address the crisis effectively.

In a heated monthly meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, Councillor Ian Bell of the People’s National Party (PNP) for the Beecher Town Division took a firm stance, refusing to proceed with the agenda until he received a satisfactory update on the refurbishment of a contaminated water tank in Epworth. The tank, the sole water source for the community, has been tainted with frog remains, a critical issue Bell raised during the previous month’s meeting. Despite assurances that the superintendent had been instructed to address the problem, Bell expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, ‘Today, nothing has been done at that tank.’

Mayor Michael Belnavis of St Ann’s Bay attempted to calm the situation, but Bell’s concerns were only partially addressed when Saad Williams, the corporation’s chief engineering officer, provided an update. Williams revealed that a second assessment of the tank had determined the allocated budget was insufficient for temporary repairs. A revised estimate is now being prepared, and the project awaits additional funding before any action can be taken. The delay has left the Epworth community without access to clean water, highlighting ongoing challenges in local infrastructure management.

In a recent enforcement operation in Four Paths, Clarendon, Jamaica, a 27-year-old sales clerk, Deandrea Dyer, was arrested and charged for selling baked goods with an expired food handler’s permit. The incident occurred on Wednesday when law enforcement officers visited the shop where Dyer was employed. Upon inspection, Dyer presented the necessary documents, including the facility’s certification and her food handler’s permit, as required by the Public Health Act. However, it was discovered that her permit had expired. Dyer, a resident of Howells Content, York Town, was informed of the violation and subsequently charged. She is scheduled to appear in the May Pen Court on January 15, 2025, to face the charges.

In the wake of the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education are joining forces to develop a comprehensive relief plan for students scheduled to take examinations in January and May-June 2026. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28 with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, caused widespread destruction, severely damaging over 600 educational institutions and displacing thousands of students. While classes have resumed in more than 600 schools, many students in the southwestern region face prolonged delays in returning to their studies. Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC, expressed deep empathy for the nation and highlighted the council’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information (MOEYSI) to address the concerns of candidates preparing for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence exams. Once finalized, the relief plan will be widely publicized to ensure students receive the necessary support. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon emphasized the ministry’s commitment to prioritizing exam-bound students during the phased reopening of schools. Hurricane Melissa, the most extreme storm in Jamaica’s history, caused catastrophic flooding and infrastructure damage, particularly in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, leaving a lasting impact on the island’s education system.