标签： Jamaica

In St Ann, Jamaica, Councillor Ian Bell of the People’s National Party has raised concerns over the delayed response by the St Ann Municipal Corporation to address the contamination of the main water catchment tank in the Epworth community. The tank, which serves as the sole source of potable water for the area, has been compromised by the presence of dead frogs, rendering the water unsafe for consumption. Bell voiced his frustrations during the monthly meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation on Thursday, emphasizing that repeated reports to the authorities have yielded no significant action. Two weeks prior, Saad Williams, the chief engineering officer, inspected the site to assess the damage and estimate repair costs. Williams acknowledged the urgency but stated that full restoration would require more time. He outlined a phased approach, beginning with immediate remedial measures such as covering the tank with zinc sheets to prevent further contamination, followed by cleaning and patching. Extensive repairs are planned for a later stage. Mayor Michael Belnavis of St Ann’s Bay assured residents that the initial cleaning would be completed promptly, likely before the weekend. The ongoing delay has left the community grappling with a critical water shortage, underscoring the need for swift and effective intervention.

In a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting students in Manchester, Jamaica, the Friends of Porus (FOP) and Give Back Jamaica Inc (GBJ) recently joined forces to organize the Kicker’s Club Shoe Drive. This collaborative effort successfully raised over $500,000, which was used to purchase much-needed school shoes for students across the parish. The annual back-to-school shoe drive, which primarily benefits primary school students, expanded its reach this year to include Porus High School, following the discovery that several of its students were in dire need of support. Vassell Ogilvie, Vice President of FOP and board member of GBJ, highlighted the decision to include the high school, stating that it was made after discussions with Porus High’s principal, Marlene Murray. The initiative traces its origins to Dr. Eve Richardson, founder and CEO of Give Back Jamaica, who, inspired by her own childhood struggles, launched the Kicker’s Club Shoe programme in September 2021. Since its inception, the programme has grown significantly, thanks to the generous contributions of donors such as the Signature Society, Hudson Valley Dynamic Counselling, and other charitable entities. This year, the initiative benefited students from several schools, including Porus Primary, Broadleaf Primary, Ramble Primary, Harmons Primary, St Jago Primary, and Castle Primary. Ogilvie expressed gratitude to the Signature Society, particularly its CEO and president, Sephron Mair, for their continued support, which enabled 80 students to participate in the shoe drive. Additional donations were also received from various law offices and counseling services, further bolstering the programme’s impact.

Jamaica’s education sector is reeling from a series of tragic incidents involving the brutal deaths of young children, prompting Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon to condemn the violence as “senseless and heart-rending.” The minister’s remarks came amid widespread shock over the discovery of 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant’s charred and decomposed body in Baillieston, Clarendon. Her father, Lawrence Oliver Sergeant, has been identified as a person of interest in the case. This tragedy follows the fatal shooting of four-year-old Shannon Gordon, who was among five victims killed in a gunfire attack in Commodore, St. Catherine, on Sunday. Speaking at the fifth-anniversary and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Christel House Jamaica in Spanish Town, Morris Dixon expressed her grief and frustration. “We are mourning today. I have to visit a school where sadness prevails, and I do this far too often,” she said. The minister highlighted the devastating loss of potential, emphasizing that these children should be in school, dreaming of their futures, instead of becoming victims of senseless violence. She also addressed the long-term psychological trauma inflicted on families and communities, urging continued efforts by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to reduce crime. Morris Dixon underscored the Ministry of Education’s commitment to mental health and psychosocial support, with counsellors and psychologists available to assist affected students and families. She called on Jamaicans to work together to create a safer environment where children can thrive, not merely survive. The minister’s plea comes as schools and communities grapple with the aftermath of these tragedies, with educators and counsellors providing comfort to grieving students.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Authorities have announced the extension of a 48-hour curfew in specific areas of the St Andrew South Police Division for an additional 48 hours. Initially implemented on Wednesday, October 8, at 6:00 pm, the curfew will now remain in effect until Friday, October 10, at 6:00 pm. The restricted zone is demarcated by imaginary lines: to the east, from Chisholm Avenue/Maxfield Avenue southward to East Avenue intersecting Marcus Garvey Drive; to the south, from the coastline at Marcus Garvey Drive near East Avenue to the Duhaney River; to the west, from the Duhaney River to Kingston Harbour; and to the north, from the Happy Grove community to the Chisholm Avenue/Maxfield Avenue intersection, following the divisional boundary. Residents within these boundaries are mandated to stay indoors during curfew hours unless granted explicit permission by the ground commander.