标签： Jamaica

In a significant move to bolster Negril’s entertainment industry, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Danree Delancy, has pledged the full support of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation. Speaking at the recent ‘Entertainment Venues of Negril’ press conference held at Wavz Beach Club, Delancy described the initiative as a bold and positive step forward. He emphasized the corporation’s commitment to expediting approvals for entertainment events in collaboration with local law enforcement. ‘This step only brings forth good things. We will ensure that all processes are handled swiftly,’ Delancy stated. He also highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration in restoring Negril’s vibrancy, a sentiment echoed by other key figures. Rudolph Seaton, Assistant Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to community safety and emergency preparedness. Seaton noted ongoing repairs to the Negril ambulance, a joint effort with the Negril Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), to ensure reliable emergency coverage. Elaine Allen Bradley, President of the Chamber, stressed the need for unity and accountability in driving the town’s development. ‘Together, we have the energy and strength to make this work. Partnering with everyone is essential,’ she said. The press conference, themed ‘Reimagining Negril: Rootz, Culture, Irie Vibez,’ united representatives from Negril’s tourism, entertainment, business, and public sectors, signaling a collective effort to rejuvenate the town’s cultural and economic landscape.

Dr. Heather Ricketts, a prominent sociologist and dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of the West Indies, has expressed cautious optimism about Jamaica’s efforts to eradicate absolute poverty by 2030. While acknowledging significant progress, she highlighted the persistent global instability—such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Haitian crisis—as potential obstacles to achieving this goal. These geopolitical tensions, she argued, could drive up the prices of goods and raw materials, exacerbating inflation and limiting people’s ability to afford basic necessities. Despite these challenges, Jamaica has made notable strides, reducing its absolute poverty rate to a historic low of 8.2% in 2023, down from 16.7% in 2021, and nearing its target of eradicating food poverty, which currently stands at 2.8%. Dr. Ricketts emphasized that absolute poverty, defined as the inability to meet basic survival needs like food, shelter, and healthcare, remains a critical issue. She stressed the importance of education, training, and certification as essential tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, noting that a significant portion of Jamaica’s workforce remains uncertified, limiting access to higher-paying jobs. Additionally, she called for the faster implementation of unemployment insurance and the expansion of social protection programs to support vulnerable groups, including the working poor and people with disabilities. While Jamaica’s macroeconomic stability and strengthened social protection systems are commendable, Dr. Ricketts underscored the need for continued efforts in education, training, and policy implementation to ensure the eradication of absolute poverty.

October 25 marks the fourth anniversary of the reported death of Kevin Smith, the controversial self-proclaimed bishop who led the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Albion, St James. Smith, who styled himself as ‘His Excellency,’ was revered by his followers, many of whom paid $100,000 each for entry into his ‘ark’—a supposed sanctuary from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ark became a site of horror on October 17, 2021, when a ritual involving human sacrifice led to the fatal stabbing of two church members. The incident escalated into a stand-off with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, resulting in one congregant being shot dead and 42 others detained. Fourteen children were placed in State care, and Smith was taken into custody. On October 25, 2021, while being transported to face charges, the vehicle carrying Smith crashed on the Linstead bypass in St Catherine, killing him and police Constable Orlando Irons. Despite official reports of his death, the absence of a funeral or burial has fueled persistent speculation among his loyal followers that Smith may still be alive. The Jamaica Observer will delve into this haunting saga in a two-part documentary titled ‘Kevin Smith: Cult Pastor — Dead or Alive? The Story that Shook Jamaica,’ premiering on their YouTube channel on October 23 and 26.