标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has unveiled its comprehensive strategy to achieve near-complete electrification by spring’s end, targeting the nation’s most isolated communities across four western parishes. The utility provider’s latest announcement identifies specific localities in St James, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and Hanover scheduled to receive grid connection before March 31.

This development follows JPS’s successful February initiative that reduced the number of powerless households to under 9,000—representing just 1% of their total customer base. The upcoming phase promises to restore electricity to approximately 5,000 additional customers, marking a significant milestone in Jamaica’s infrastructure recovery efforts.

The company acknowledges substantial technical challenges ahead, with crews preparing to navigate extremely rocky terrain where conventional machinery cannot operate. Pole installation in these remote areas requires specialized techniques that may prolong the process, but JPS maintains unwavering commitment to completing the task.

Corporate communications emphasize that some households within targeted communities might experience delayed restoration due to property-specific issues. Customers whose buildings suffered structural damage or flooding during recent hurricanes are advised to commission certified electricians for safety inspections before reconnection.

JPS anticipates approximately 3,000 customers will remain without power after March, with another restoration list scheduled for publication in April. The current initiative covers numerous communities including Huntley and Kemshot in St James; extensive areas of Westmoreland from Alma to York Mountain; multiple districts in St Elizabeth from Allen Crescent to Zeena Way; and the Haughton Grove to Miles Town corridor in Hanover.

Hundreds of Jamaican motorists converged on St Catherine Parish Court Wednesday for a special Traffic Ticket Public Day initiative, experiencing dramatically different outcomes in their attempts to resolve longstanding violations. The Court Administration Division (CAD) launched this unprecedented event to tackle a staggering backlog of approximately 200,000 outstanding traffic tickets dating back to 2018.

According to Kadiesh Jarrett-Fletcher, CAD’s director of client services, communications and information, the massive accumulation resulted partly from systemic technical failures. “There was a period where the system malfunctioned, causing paid tickets to remain visible in the system,” Jarrett-Fletcher explained. “This technical glitch made courts cautious about issuing warrants, recognizing that many motorists had indeed settled their fines despite system errors.”

The initiative employed a time-slot system to manage crowds, with officials anticipating resolution of over 10,000 tickets serving approximately 4,000 individuals. By 5:00 PM, the court had processed 4,571 tickets, with another 5,346 scheduled for night court proceedings.

Motorists reported sharply contrasting experiences. Prince, attending to resolve a 2021 violation, described “pure rigmarole and foolishness” as he was shuffled between courtrooms. Dyonnelle, attempting to settle a 2019 speeding ticket, found the back-and-forth between courtrooms “exhausting” despite pre-registration.

However, Andre Miller from Old Harbour reported a “seamless” process that resulted in a $9,000 fine for failure to keep left. Taxi operator Cowando Nodle praised the “smooth transition” and reasonable fines for his uniform violation summons, calling the initiative “encouraging” for motorists.

CAD officials deemed the event successful enough to consider expanding the initiative to other parishes. “We’re analyzing data to determine where we implement this next,” Jarrett-Fletcher stated, highlighting the program’s potential to address Jamaica’s nationwide traffic ticket backlog.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Bauxite Community Development Programme (BCDP) is preparing to launch its eighth operational phase in 2026, celebrating thirty years of sustained investment in mining-affected communities across the nation’s bauxite-producing regions.

Established in 1996 and administered by the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), the pioneering initiative has channeled nearly $1 billion in mining revenues back into local communities through seven completed development cycles. The program represents one of Jamaica’s most significant corporate social responsibility ventures, directly benefiting approximately 100 communities across five parishes: Manchester, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, and Clarendon.

The BCDP’s comprehensive approach focuses on creating sustainable economic opportunities while enhancing social and physical infrastructure in rural mining areas. Strategic investments have spanned multiple sectors including agricultural modernization, infrastructure upgrades, vocational training, social enterprise development, and support for community-based organizations.

The recently concluded Phase VII (September 2020-August 2024) utilized a $300 million allocation from the Capital Development Fund, with approximately $220 million distributed across key initiatives. This included $102 million dedicated to agricultural development, $80 million for community infrastructure improvements, $35 million for educational scholarships, and $3 million for small enterprise support and training programs.

With December 2025’s injection of $400 million in new funding, Phase VIII will continue the program’s core mission of strengthening livelihoods, promoting rural development, and building resilient communities in Jamaica’s bauxite-producing regions. The upcoming phase maintains the program’s three-decade commitment to transforming mining revenues into sustainable community development.

A tragic incident at Ocho Rios High School in St. Ann, Jamaica, has culminated in the death of a 16-year-old student, Devonie Shearer, following an alleged physical confrontation with a fellow pupil on Wednesday afternoon. The young victim, residing on Buckfield Road, succumbed to severe injuries sustained during the altercation, despite being rushed to a medical facility for treatment.

According to preliminary reports from local authorities, the incident involved a violent exchange between the two male students. During the confrontation, the accused individual reportedly utilized a metal chair as a weapon, striking Shearer in the back of his head. The force of the impact caused critical injuries that ultimately proved fatal.

In a subsequent development, the family of the alleged perpetrator facilitated his surrender to law enforcement officials. The accused student is currently in police custody as investigations into the precise circumstances surrounding the altercation continue. This case has reignited discussions concerning youth violence and safety protocols within educational institutions across Jamaica, prompting calls for renewed preventive measures and conflict resolution strategies in school environments.