标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to bolster safety and security, 27 new streetlights have been installed across several communities in Guy’s Hill, St Catherine. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, aims to enhance the national streetlight network over the next two years. Communities such as Meuse, Ragsville, Waterford, Bonnett, Burksville, Lime Hall, and Cheesefield are now benefiting from this project.

This effort is part of a broader plan to install 22,800 streetlights nationwide, with each of the 228 municipal divisions receiving 50 lights annually. Portfolio Minister Desmond McKenzie emphasized the collaborative work with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company, stating that requests for streetlights are being promptly addressed and implemented.

Minister McKenzie also highlighted the importance of community involvement in protecting the newly installed lights, noting that the JPS has implemented strategies to deter theft. Residents like Llewellyn Francis, a small business owner from Bonnett, expressed their relief and increased sense of security, particularly when returning home at night.

Danette Lewis, another resident, praised the initiative for eliminating dark spots and improving the neighborhood’s aesthetics and safety. Councillor Joseph Johnson, who played a pivotal role in advocating for the project, urged residents to take responsibility for safeguarding the lights, with hopes for further installations in the future.

Community members and Members of Parliament can submit requests for additional streetlights to the ministry, ensuring that more areas can benefit from this safety-enhancing initiative.

Denise Daley, the Opposition spokesperson on gender, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, has issued a pressing call for the reform of Jamaica’s public sector pension system. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Daley highlighted the plight of retired Jamaicans who face prolonged delays in receiving their pension benefits, leaving many in financial distress and reliant on family, neighbors, or charity for survival. Her remarks followed a ministerial statement by Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security, on the outcomes of Senior Citizens’ Month 2025. Daley emphasized the moral obligation of the State to ensure the financial and emotional well-being of the elderly, urging the government to implement timely pension processes and public education initiatives. She also called for a review of policies affecting seniors on fixed incomes, particularly property taxes, which have become a significant burden. While commending the Ministry and the National Council for Senior Citizens for their efforts in promoting active ageing, Daley stressed the need for practical measures beyond celebratory events. In response, Minister Charles Jr acknowledged the challenges and outlined ongoing efforts to modernize the pension system, including reducing processing times and introducing digital solutions like the ‘I’m Alive’ app for life certification. However, he noted that some seniors still prefer traditional methods, highlighting the importance of balancing modernization with the preferences of the elderly. Anthony Hylton, Member of Parliament for St Andrew Western, criticized the frequent life certificate requirement as outdated and burdensome, urging the government to streamline the process. Charles Jr defended the bureaucracy as a means of accountability but assured that alternative options are being introduced to cater to diverse needs.

In a harrowing week for Jamaica, the nation’s children have become the latest victims of senseless violence, leaving communities in mourning and schools in distress. For the third time in less than a week, educators and grief counselors were called upon to comfort traumatized students after yet another tragic incident. This time, the focus was on St George’s Girls’ Primary and Infant School, where two young students were among six individuals injured in a brutal shooting on Text Lane in central Kingston. The attack, which targeted a group of mainly women and children, has left the community reeling. As of late Thursday, the two girls remained hospitalized, while their classmates grappled with the emotional aftermath. Valrie Brown, the school’s principal, expressed her anguish over the situation, emphasizing the need for collective reflection and action to protect Jamaica’s future generation. ‘I am stunned and deeply concerned,’ Brown told the Jamaica Observer. ‘Our children are the future, and if we fail to safeguard them, I fear for what lies ahead.’ Brown highlighted the strong bond within the school community, praising the dedication of teachers and staff in supporting the affected children. The incident follows the tragic deaths of 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant and four-year-old Shannon Gordon, both victims of separate violent attacks. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon condemned the violence, describing it as ‘senseless and heart-rending.’ She lamented the loss of potential and promise, urging the nation to unite in protecting its children. ‘These children should be dancing, learning, and dreaming about their futures,’ Morris Dixon declared. ‘Instead, their lives have been cut short by senseless violence.’ As Jamaica grapples with this escalating crisis, the call for action grows louder, with communities and leaders alike demanding an end to the violence that continues to claim young lives.