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标签： Jamaica

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  • ‘No apologies’

    ‘No apologies’

    Jamaica’s Energy and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz has issued a robust defense of his decision to authorize emergency procurement of Starlink satellite devices during Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in October 2025, directly challenging the Auditor General’s findings of procurement violations. The $12-million acquisition of 200 units has sparked a heated political confrontation regarding emergency protocols versus procedural compliance.

    Minister Vaz asserted that the catastrophic communications breakdown following the hurricane justified immediate action beyond standard bureaucratic channels. ‘I make no apologies for ensuring the Government could secure available devices rapidly for distribution to state agencies and recovery teams,’ Vaz declared, referencing official emergency procurement guidelines that permit extraordinary measures during genuine crises.

    The Auditor General’s compliance audit, however, determined that procurement procedures were circumvented. The report revealed that ministerial instruction rather than the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) director general initiated the process, with devices delivered before formal approval documentation was completed. Additionally, the audit found numerous units remained unused months after purchase, with inventory management deficiencies and compatibility issues involving European-style plugs.

    Opposition spokesman Phillip Paulwell has demanded transparency, highlighting contradictions in government statements regarding donated versus purchased units. ‘Jamaicans are entitled to clear and consistent answers,’ Paulwell stated, emphasizing that telecommunications decisions during emergencies ‘must be unimpeachable and fully compliant with the law.’

    Vaz countered by accusing the opposition of political opportunism, noting that opposition members themselves had requested and received Starlink devices during the crisis. ‘The accountability that Paulwell and the Opposition demand may therefore begin with the devices that they received,’ Vaz remarked, characterizing the criticism as disingenuous.

    The minister maintained that the moral imperative of saving lives outweighed procedural concerns during the national emergency. ‘If even one life was saved, or even one family rescued as a result of the decision taken then it would have been worth it,’ Vaz concluded, defending his actions as necessary during Jamaica’s ‘most vulnerable and fragile’ period.

  • School administrators urged to safeguard well-being of students during cold weather

    School administrators urged to safeguard well-being of students during cold weather

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In response to unusually cold temperatures sweeping across the island, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) has issued comprehensive guidance to school administrators to protect student welfare during this period of adverse weather conditions.

    An unseasonably strong cold front has brought significantly cooler temperatures and persistent gusty winds to Jamaica, creating potential health and comfort challenges within educational environments. The ministry emphasizes that these conditions could negatively impact students’ ability to concentrate and maintain overall well-being during school hours.

    Central to the ministry’s advisory is the immediate relaxation of uniform policies. School leaders are instructed to permit students to wear appropriate jackets and outerwear regardless of whether these items conform to standard uniform specifications. This flexibility ensures all children, including those without access to branded school apparel, can remain adequately protected from the cold.

    The guidance specifically highlights the vulnerability of students with pre-existing health conditions that might be aggravated by the temperature drop. Administrators are directed to maintain heightened awareness and provide necessary accommodations to support these at-risk individuals.

    Beyond clothing adjustments, the ministry recommends nutritional interventions to combat the chill. Schools are encouraged to incorporate warm beverages and soups into meal programs, served at safe temperatures to provide both nourishment and thermal comfort. Additionally, administrators are advised to permit more frequent bathroom breaks in recognition of increased physiological needs during colder weather.

    The ministry frames these measures within the broader context of institutional responsibility, referencing the legal obligations outlined in Jamaica’s Child Care and Protection Act. This weather event is characterized as both a challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate the education system’s commitment to creating nurturing environments where every child receives care comparable to what they would experience in a family setting.

    MoESYI concludes by calling for collaborative efforts among all educational stakeholders to ensure learning spaces remain warm, safe, and conducive to student development despite the challenging meteorological conditions.

  • Minister ends testimony in cops’ murder trial

    Minister ends testimony in cops’ murder trial

    In a significant development at the Home Circuit Court, defense attorneys aggressively challenged the credibility of Agriculture Minister Floyd Green’s eyewitness account regarding a fatal 2013 police shooting. The case involves six law enforcement officers—Sergeant Simroy Mott, Corporal Donovan Fullerton, and Constables Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, Orandy Rose, and Richard Lynch—who face murder charges for the deaths of Matthew Lee, Mark Allen, and Ucliffe Dyer on Arcadia Drive in St Andrew.

    During intense cross-examination on Wednesday, defense counsel Anthony Armstrong posited that the traumatic nature of the January 12 incident may have compromised Green’s ability to accurately perceive and recall events. The minister, who observed the shooting from his apartment window, conceded that extreme stress could indeed affect memory retention and detail recollection.

    The legal confrontation took an intriguing turn when Armstrong engaged Green in a philosophical discussion about vantage points, comparing courtroom testimony to premium event seating. Green countered that elevated perspectives sometimes provide superior visibility compared to ground-level observations, defending his aerial viewpoint from the multi-storey building.

    Further challenging Green’s testimony, defense attorney Althea Grant-Coppin established that the witness couldn’t identify specific physical characteristics of the involved officers or confirm details about the vehicle’s tinted windows beyond the front compartment.

    The prosecution’s case continues today with their second witness taking the stand, while prominent defense attorneys Hugh Wildman, Linda Wright-Ashley, and John Jacobs prepare for upcoming proceedings.

  • Doping chiefs vow to look into Olympic ski jumping ‘penis injection’ claims

    Doping chiefs vow to look into Olympic ski jumping ‘penis injection’ claims

    MILAN, Italy – Olympic anti-doping authorities have launched an investigation into extraordinary allegations that competitive ski jumpers are utilizing unconventional methods to gain aerodynamic advantages. The claims, which originated in German media reports, suggest athletes may be injecting hyaluronic acid into genital tissue to create enhanced body suit aerodynamics.

    The controversial practice allegedly aims to manipulate the fit of competition suits around the groin area, theoretically creating a sail-like effect that could add significant distance to jumps. This investigation emerges following previous sanctions against Norwegian athletes for suit manipulation violations.

    At a Milan press conference, World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka acknowledged the unusual nature of the allegations while committing to thorough examination. “Ski jumping is very popular in Poland,” Banka remarked with visible amusement, “so I promise you I’m going to look at it.”

    WADA Director General Olivier Niggli adopted a more measured approach, stating: “I’m not aware of the details of ski jumping—and how this can improve performance—but if anything was to come to the surface we would look at anything if it is actually doping-related. Our list committee would certainly look into whether this would fall into this category.”

    The allegations follow previous competitive violations involving Norwegian jumpers Marius Lindvik, the defending Large Hill Olympic champion, and fellow medalist Johann Andre Forfang. Both received three-month suspensions after their team was found to have illegally adjusted suit seams around the crotch area during the 2025 World Ski Championships, though both athletes maintained the alterations occurred without their knowledge.

    Medical experts have expressed serious concerns about the alleged practice. Dr. Kamran Karim, a senior physician at Maria-Hilf Hospital in Krefeld, Germany, noted that while injections could create “temporary, visual thickening of the penis through injections of paraffin or hyaluronic acid,” he emphasized that “lengthening is not possible in this way” and warned that “such injections are not medically indicated and are associated with risks.”

  • Salada profits rise, but cash falls as costs and climate risks bite

    Salada profits rise, but cash falls as costs and climate risks bite

    Jamaican coffee and beverage manufacturer Salada Foods Jamaica Limited has reported strengthened profitability in its fiscal year ending September 2025, despite facing significant operational challenges from inflationary pressures, currency fluctuations, and climate-related disruptions.

    The company achieved a net profit of $171.5 million, representing solid financial performance as revenue climbed 7.9% to approximately $1.6 billion. Gross profit reached $487.9 million, with margins maintaining stability at around 30.5% despite persistent cost pressures throughout the supply chain.

    Beneath the surface of these positive earnings indicators, the company’s financial position reveals strategic adaptations to a volatile operating environment. Cash reserves declined substantially to $154.6 million from $272.5 million year-over-year, while inventories surged to $552.5 million from $420.6 million. This inventory accumulation reflects a deliberate corporate strategy to secure essential inputs amid rising global coffee prices and supply chain uncertainties.

    The company’s defensive posture proved prescient when Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica shortly after the fiscal year end, damaging agricultural infrastructure and supply networks. Salada’s advanced procurement strategy has shielded immediate production from disruption, though long-term agricultural impacts remain under assessment.

    Capital investment continued throughout the period with $67.1 million allocated to machinery, equipment, and work-in-progress assets, elevating the net book value of property, plant and equipment to $165.9 million. The company also distributed $130.9 million in dividends to shareholders, further impacting liquidity positions.

    Market performance revealed contrasting trends between domestic and international operations. Local sales demonstrated robust growth, advancing to $1.30 billion from $1.16 billion, while export revenues declined to $304.3 million from $322.1 million despite concerted efforts to expand regional and UK market presence.

    Looking forward, management emphasizes product diversification as a cornerstone of long-term strategy. Recent expansions into functional beverages utilizing locally sourced ingredients like ginger, turmeric, sorrel, and hibiscus target health-conscious consumers and aim to reduce dependence on volatile coffee markets. These innovations, coupled with established brands and operational efficiency focus, provide optimism despite the challenging trade-offs between financial resilience and cash generation in an increasingly unpredictable manufacturing landscape.

  • Flash Motors becomes first electric vehicle-only dealership in Jamaica’s auto association

    Flash Motors becomes first electric vehicle-only dealership in Jamaica’s auto association

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s automotive industry has reached a significant milestone with the formal integration of electric vehicle specialization into its established trade framework. Flash Motors Company Limited has been admitted as the first exclusively electric vehicle dealership within the Automobile Dealers Association of Jamaica (ADA), signaling a transformative shift in the Caribbean nation’s transportation landscape.

    This groundbreaking membership, announced Tuesday, represents a strategic alignment between emerging electric mobility solutions and Jamaica’s conventional automotive sector. The development reflects accelerating regional adoption of sustainable transportation alternatives within previously fuel-dominated markets.

    Xavier Gordon, Chief Executive of Flash Motors, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Our ADA membership signifies industry recognition of electric mobility’s critical role in Jamaica’s transportation future. We value the association’s endorsement as we expand EV infrastructure throughout the Caribbean region.”

    ADA Chairman Jackie Stewart-Lechler confirmed the association’s commitment to embracing automotive innovation: “We enthusiastically welcome Flash Motors and applaud their introduction of cutting-edge electric mobility solutions for Jamaican consumers. Their expertise strengthens our industry’s evolution toward sustainable transportation.”

    Established in 2021, Flash Motors has developed comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystems across multiple Caribbean markets including Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Guyana. The company’s integrated approach encompasses EV sales, charging infrastructure development, and supportive policy advocacy.

    Operating from a modern New Kingston showroom, the dealership provides holistic customer solutions beyond traditional vehicle sales. “Our commitment extends far beyond placing EVs in driveways,” explained Sales Manager Phillip Oliver. “We install personalized charging infrastructure and implement ongoing owner education programs to ensure optimal EV ownership experiences.”

    The company maintains rigorous technical standards through international training programs, sending technicians abroad for certification in global EV maintenance protocols. This commitment to excellence aligns with ADA’s framework emphasizing accountability, transparency, and consumer protection standards.

    This institutional partnership establishes formalized retail standards for Jamaica’s emerging electric vehicle market, creating regulatory consistency while accelerating sustainable transportation adoption across the Caribbean region.

  • NCB’s Cayman transfer completes balance sheet clean-up

    NCB’s Cayman transfer completes balance sheet clean-up

    NCB Financial Group Limited has executed a significant internal restructuring through the acquisition of its Cayman Islands subsidiary by majority-owned Clarien Bank Limited. While presented as an organizational realignment, this transaction culminates a multi-year balance sheet optimization initiative that has fundamentally reshaped the group’s offshore operations.

    The transfer, pending regulatory approval, will transition select wealth and investment management relationships from NCB (Cayman) Limited to Clarien Bank, with the Cayman entity subsequently rebranding under the Clarien name. Group leadership has assured stakeholders of seamless client continuity and no material impact on capital adequacy, liquidity, or ownership structures.

    This stability is anchored by exceptionally robust capital metrics. Regulatory filings reveal NCB (Cayman) maintained a Total Capital Ratio exceeding 30%—more than double the 12% regulatory requirement—with nearly all capital derived from internally generated retained earnings. The entity’s Net Tier 1 capital, a core measure of financial strength, stood at US$35.5 million, characterized by simplicity without complex subordinated debt structures that typically complicate financial transfers.

    Despite these capital strengths, operational challenges persist. A recent rating agency downgrade highlighted a US$1 million net loss for fiscal 2024 and a fourth consecutive year of deposit base contraction. This funding decline reflects both strategic divestments and client migration to higher-yielding alternatives, indicating ongoing profitability pressures despite improved balance sheet stability.

    The transaction represents the culmination of a deliberate cleanup process that included addressing the substantial Sandy Bay loan facility in Barbados, which previously constituted approximately 75% of the subsidiary’s non-performing loans (NPLs). While its removal to National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited in Q3 2025 significantly improved headline NPL ratios, the Cayman unit’s NPL ratio remained elevated at 25.8% as of June 2025, suggesting persistent credit quality concerns within the remaining portfolio.

    Group CEO Robert Almeida characterized the move as “a deliberate strategic internal realignment designed to strengthen focus and operational coherence across our regional businesses.” The consolidation simplifies the group’s offshore narrative for regulators and investors following its US$300 million return to international capital markets last year, reducing the number of separate entities requiring scrutiny.

    For Clarien Bank, the acquisition supports strategic expansion in selective offshore markets with emphasis on operational continuity, according to CEO Ian Truran.

    Ultimately, this transaction represents the strategic tidying of a stabilized but still recovering operation. While major surgical interventions have addressed the most critical issues, the transferred entity continues to navigate profitability and funding challenges within a cleaner, simplified operational structure.

  • Tropical Battery seeks extension for audited financial statements

    Tropical Battery seeks extension for audited financial statements

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tropical Battery Company Limited has formally requested and received authorization to postpone the submission of its audited financial statements for the fiscal year concluding September 30, 2025. The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) was notified on Wednesday that the revised deadline for filing has been established for February 16, 2026.

    The corporation attributed this deferral to complexities arising from independent third-party assessments of its employee pension fund. These evaluations require meticulous scrutiny and subsequent actuarial recalculations, processes the company deems essential for guaranteeing the utmost precision in its financial disclosures. The initial publication date for these statements was set for November 29, 2025.

    Consequently, the release of the company’s comprehensive annual report, which is predicated on the finalized audited data, will be similarly delayed. Stakeholders can now anticipate its dissemination on or around February 18, 2026, a significant extension from the original target of January 28.
    In its official communication, Tropical Battery emphasized that its internal finance team is collaborating intensively with external auditors and specialized actuarial consultants to meet the new schedule. The company’s leadership expressed confidence in fulfilling all regulatory obligations within the allotted extension period.

    The JSE disclosure concluded with a firm reassurance from the company: “Tropical Battery Company Limited reaffirms its full commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance and the delivery of reliable information to its shareholders and the investing public.”

  • VANDALISM DRAINS US$350M A YEAR FROM JAMAICA’S UTILITIES

    VANDALISM DRAINS US$350M A YEAR FROM JAMAICA’S UTILITIES

    Jamaica faces a severe infrastructure security crisis as coordinated vandalism and theft against utility networks drain the nation’s economy of at least US$350 million annually, according to revelations from a recent industry webinar. This staggering figure, considered conservative by experts, exposes systematic attacks on the country’s critical electricity, water, and telecommunications infrastructure.

    Telecommunications provider Digicel reported direct losses of US$3.9 million within a single year, with attackers specifically targeting critical systems. The company documented 452 battery thefts, 97 vandalized generators, 9 damaged shelters, and 290 compromised sites. According to Brithney Clarke, Digicel’s business marketing lead, perpetrators constitute a ‘mindless minority’ deliberately attacking infrastructure components—often with no functional value to them—primarily to extract scrap metal, with cabling infrastructure and lithium batteries being frequent targets.

    The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) revealed the most substantial financial impact, estimating annual losses of approximately US$200 million from electricity theft alone. Shockingly, among Jamaica’s 1.06 million electricity users, 350,000 operate illegally without contractual relationships with JPS. Revenue security manager Jermaine Clarke explained that 26.34% of generated electricity is lost annually, with 72% of these losses classified as non-technical—meaning the energy is consumed but not commercialized due to theft. Approximately 35% of households consume electricity without meters or contracts, resulting in nearly 19.5% of all generated electricity being stolen.

    This widespread theft directly contributes to Jamaica’s exceptionally high electricity costs, with residential customers paying 90% above the global average and businesses facing rates 60% higher than worldwide norms.

    The National Water Commission (NWC) reported significant losses from vandalism, including US$70-80 million in damages at Goshen facilities serving Portmore and approximately US$150 million in arson-related damage at the Caymanas water facility. Regional manager Garwaine Johnson noted that vulnerable NWC facilities cannot be easily secured, leaving infrastructure exposed to repeated attacks. These incidents resulted in an average loss of six hours of water production daily over one year, translating to approximately US$2 billion in losses.

    The crisis extends beyond Jamaica’s borders. Cletus Bertin of the Regional Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Corporation reported that member utilities across the region average about 20% losses in generation costs due to vandalism and theft. For a utility generating US$715 million annually, this represents approximately US$143 million in losses each year.

    Bertin emphasized that financial impacts extend beyond direct losses, as utilities must increase spending on security measures, repairs, and system restoration, thereby multiplying base operating costs.

    In response, utility providers are advocating for stronger legal penalties and a coordinated national response involving government agencies, law enforcement, and industry stakeholders. Proposed solutions include enhanced utility-to-utility partnerships, security intelligence sharing for high-risk zones, community-based stewardship programs, and legislative reform of the scrap metal Act to impose harsher penalties on purchasers of utility-grade materials without verified origins.

    While some collaboration already exists—particularly between NWC and JPS—industry leaders stress that deeper integration and engagement with political leadership is necessary to address this escalating national security and economic challenge.

  • Man denied bail in WhatsApp malicious communication case

    Man denied bail in WhatsApp malicious communication case

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A foreign national facing serious allegations of issuing graphic death threats against his former landlord’s daughter has been ordered to remain in custody following a heated bail hearing in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

    Shawn Hosang, who has already spent eight months in detention, stands accused of two criminal offenses: overstaying his immigration permit and utilizing electronic communication systems for malicious purposes. The defendant’s legal representative attempted to secure his provisional release by emphasizing his role as sole caregiver for his 72-year-old mother and noting that the prosecution’s case file wouldn’t be finalized until March.

    These appeals were met with firm opposition from crown prosecutors, who presented disturbing evidence of threatening communications allegedly sent by the accused. According to court documents, Hosang utilized WhatsApp messaging platforms to deliver terrifying threats targeting the complainant’s daughter throughout late 2024 and early 2025.

    Among the explicit messages presented in court was one from December 2024 that stated: “Just be prepared for your daughter to be slaughtered, I swear,” followed by even more graphic violence. Subsequent messages from February 2025 contained similarly chilling content, with one voice message allegedly featuring Hosang’s recognizable voice declaring: “I am actually going to have your daughter killed, you can’t be surprised.”

    The prosecution emphasized that the victims continue to live in genuine fear of the accused and raised substantial concerns about potential witness intimidation should Hosang be released. Presiding Judge Alwayne Smith ultimately denied bail, citing the severity of the threats and the ongoing risk to the complainants. The case has been adjourned until March 26 for further proceedings.