Opposition Leader Mark Golding has responded to questions regarding his citizenship saying “I am a born Jamaican and have a Jamaican passport,” however, he has not stated whether he is still a British citizen.   There have been questions regarding his citizenship, since his recent suggestion that the constitutional reform process should reconsider the current rule which bars certain members of the Jamaican diaspora from sitting in the Jamaican parliament.     His comments led to calls from several quarters, including from Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, for Golding to state whether he is a British citizen.   In a post on social media site X on Saturday, Golding stated “I’ve never hidden the fact that my father, who came to Jamaica from the UK, had got me a British passport when I was a young child.”     However, he said he has been travelling on his Jamaican passport for years.   Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. “Like other Jamaicans, I apply for visas from countries such as the US and UK to go there,” he stated. “I man born yah, but the local government elections and recent polls seem to be driving some to grasp at straws.”   Responding to Golding’s post, Vaz said “Lol ARE YOU A BRITISH CITIZEN… 3 or 2 letters can clear this up.”   Turning to the matter of constitutional reform, Golding noted that the Jamaican constitution currently requires Commonwealth citizens to reside in Jamaica for at least one year in order to be eligible to sit in the parliament.     “Over the years, parliamentary candidates with Commonwealth passports have therefore legitimately participated in general elections to become MP’s and sat in the Senate. On the other hand, the current Constitution prohibits non-Commonwealth citizens (who have pledged foreign allegiance) from being parliamentarians,” he stated.   Golding argued that the constitutional reform process should reconsider the current rule and “make it accord with the realities of the Jamaican experience.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As reggae singer, philanthropist and published author Sophia Brown puts it, she’s always been an advocate for positivity.   The entertainer told Observer Online that she prides herself on using her talents for good and to her that means producing songs that make people feel good about themselves. To that end, the singer solicited the help of Turbulence to curate her latest single, Look.   An ode to her personal mantra, ‘words are power’, the entertainer said the single is one that focuses on empowerment. According to Brown, today’s society can be a very uncaring and ugly place where people spew hate instead of love and light and she simply wanted to be a vessel for the latter. Promoted Links You May Like Take a Free trading course at Deriv Academy. Forex & MT5 lessons. All traders are welcome. deriv by Taboola “When the song was conceived, it was written with every human being in mind. I wanted to uplift those with low self-confidence. In today’s world, sometimes we are quick to ‘dash’ ugly words at each other not knowing how powerful they are,” she shared. “I wanted to do something that would be different, healing in fact. I want people to ‘Look’ at themselves and feel good. I want the song to teach self-love because that is the greatest love of all. When you love yourself and you’re truly happy within, you are able to light up the world.”   Brown said with the message she was hoping to bring across in the song, there was only one entertainer she could think of that would fit the track perfectly. She told Observer Online that with Turbulence’s track record having been filled with songs that embody love, purity and messages of upliftment, a collaboration would be magical.   “Having Turbulence on the track with his positive vibrations helped me highlight the message even more. He was literally the perfect person for this song. I mean, when I thought about having someone to collaborate on this track, his musical energy immediately came to mind,” she said. “I sent the track to him to see if he would like it and the rest as they say was history. His work ethic is impeccable. I have to give him that. The way he mastered the emotions needed to make this song resonate with listeners, I was in awe.”   The single, which was produced by Brown on her MusicMecka Records label and distributed by Zojack Worldwide, was released across all digital platforms on Friday

PARIS, France (AFP) — Plans for the Olympic torch relay to pass through New Caledonia were cancelled on Saturday after rioting in the French Pacific territory left six people dead, officials announced. The flame had been scheduled to arrive on June 11 but French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said that “priority must be given to a return to calm” in the territory. Promoted Links You May Like Redefine Your RoutineBrickHouse Nutrition by Taboola “I think that everyone understands, given the context, that the priority really is to consolidate the return to public order, and then to appeasement. “Priority to the safety of residents, priority to a return to calm, and priority to the political improvement of the situation.” Anger is high over a contested voting reform in New Caledonia where hundreds of heavily armed French soldiers and police were on Saturday patrolling the capital city of Noumea

Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings told a news conference that a feud which began in high school escalated with the murders of two teenagers who were shot in separate incidents over the weekend. “You should know who your children’s friends are,” she said, adding “if for some reason you see friends of your children not coming around or there is something negative being said, as a department, we want you to come in and sit down and have a conversation with us. “We have to resolve these conflicts going on that our young people seem unable to resolve among themselves. We see 15 and 16 year olds with firearms in their hands; something is wrong with that. “Whoever placed weapons in their hands, we’re going to come for you. We cannot allow you to destroy our young people. Fathers, you, too, have a role to play – go and seek out your children, your boy children … give them the support that they need,” the senior police officer warned, noting also that the police are looking for ways to prosecute parents if they allow their children to roam the streets at night. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. “Parents, it’s time for you to start parenting your children properly. I can assure you we are going to look and find areas within the statute where we can also place you before the courts, because you have to be accountable for your children’s actions.” Skippings said that conflict between the teens began in junior high school and involved a simple assault that was never reported to the police or the boys’ parents. She said had the incident been reported to police, the deaths could have been prevented. According to the police, the 18 year-old was on the basketball court with two other men when they were approached by three men dressed in hooded jackets. There was a confrontation that led the victim to leave the area, but one of the men in the hooded jacket pulled out a gun and opened fire on the group, hitting the 18-year-old. In the second murder, the police said that at about 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, the 15-year-old was asleep in his bed, when someone forced open a bedroom window and fired shots inside, hitting the teenager multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Their deaths have pushed the murder toll to 49 so far this year.

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has been barred by a Supreme Court order from convening its July 10 annual general meeting to select its next president.   Justice Tracy-Ann Johnson ordered today that the injunction must remain in force until the determination of a claim brought against the JAS by Lawrence ‘Larry’ Robertson, who is the parish president of the JAS for Portland and a board member of the organisation.     Robertson, in his claim filed last year, is seeking a declaration that the annual general meeting of the JAS is null and void without the presentation of the audited financial statement of the association along with the funds held on behalf of the society by the parish branches, which have not been paid over to the JAS.   In July last year, an interim injunction was granted to Robertson which barred the JAS from convening it’s AGM to select a president.   An order was also made by the court giving the JAS, which is the defendant, time to file an affidavit in response to the suit filed by Robertson.   Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. Attorney-at-law Duke Foote, instructed by attorney-at-law Hugh Wildman, appeared for the claimant today.     So far, the defendant has not filed an affidavit in response to the claim and no representative of the defendant has made an appearance in the matter since the suit was filed in 2023.   On April 12, the matter came before Justice Opal Smith and following submissions made by Foote, the judge ruled that should the defendant not file the required documents, the interim injunction that was granted should remain in place until the determination of the substantive claim.   The JAS has recently given notice to its members that the AGM is scheduled to take place on July 10.   Today, Foote submitted that the court should give effect to the order made on April 12.     Justice Johnson then ruled that the injunction should remain in force until Robertson’s claim was heard and determined.   The first hearing of the fixed date claim form is set for September 19 in chambers.   – Barbara Gayle

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Brompton Primary School in St Elizabeth is to be the latest recipient of monetary support as a result of the fundraising efforts of 19-year-old Rafe Cochran.   Cochran has been supporting the improvement of the nation’s schools since 2016 through his annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic.   Recently concluding its eighth-staging in collaboration with Food for the Poor, proceeds from the event are earmarked for a construction project at the St Elizabeth-based school.   Brompton Primary, which currently houses 499 students, is primarily a wooden structure that has been suffering from rot due to heavy rains.   The project will see the construction of four classrooms, an administrative unit, a guidance counsellor’s office, and a staff restroom.   Promoted Links You May Like Revamp Your Home With a Stylish Walk-in Shower Now! Showers sale | Search ads by Taboola “Rafe is a rare individual whose compassion and wisdom are not limited by age, which is reflected in his personal motto: ‘You are never too young to take action and to make a difference,’” said Food for the Poor chief executive officer Ed Raine.   “We all marvel at his heartfelt generosity and commitment to changing lives through education, and we’re so grateful for his long standing support of Food for the Poor,” added Raine.   At age nine, Cochran became one of Food for the Poor’s (Coconut Creek) youngest donors, raising money to build 10 homes in Haiti and six schools in Jamaica.   Cochran’s support has funded improvement projects at the Chester Primary and Infant School in St Ann, Runaway Bay All-Age School and Iona High School in St Mary.   The Eighth Annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic was held on April 29 at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr has confirmed that no Jamaican farm worker on the Overseas Employment Programme was involved in Tuesday morning’s bus crash in Florida where eight farm workers have so far succumbed to injuries.   In a release to media Tuesday afternoon, the minister said “We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the farm workers whose lives were lost in this unfortunate accident.”   Promoted Links You May Like Here’s What a Walk-in Shower Should Cost in 2024 Showers sale | Search ads by Taboola In an article from CNN, the Florida Highway Patrol reported that approximately 53 farm workers were aboard the bus when it collided with a 2001 Ford Ranger at approximately 6:35 am. The bus then exited the roadway and ran through a fence before overturning.   Eight people have been confirmed dead and 45 injured according to emergency officials, however, authorities believe based on the extent of the damage, the death toll may increase

A female student was today fatally stabbed allegedly by a male schoolmate during a reported altercation on the grounds of the Catholic College of Mandeville in Williamsfield, Manchester. The unidentified student is from the Knockpatrick area. The circumstances surrounding the incident are not clear at this time. The male student is in custody at the Williamsfield Police Station. A motive behind the stabbing remains unclear.

London, UK — More than a year after Shein reportedly promised to tackle excessive working hours in its supply chain, it has been revealed that some employees at the Chinese fast-fashion company are still working 75-hour weeks.   According to a report from CNN, an investigation by Public Eye, the Swiss human rights advocacy group that first highlighted the alleged abuse back in 2021, some staff members worked an average 12 hours per day.   “The 75-hour weeks that we found out about two years ago still seem to be common at Shein,” the Swiss organisation said. CNN said the Public Eye interviewed 13 textile workers employed at six factories last summer and found that staff worked an average of 12 hours a day, “excluding lunch and dinner breaks, and usually for six or seven days a week.” According to the CNN report, Public Eye also claimed that workers’ wages had hardly changed since its 2021 report. They fluctuated between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan per month (US$829 and US$1,382). However, after deducting pay for overtime, wages fell to about 2,400 (US$332) a month — well below the 6,512 yuan (US$900) the Public Eye says is a living wage in China.   However, in a statement to CNN, Shein said that it “does not recognise many of the allegations in (Public Eye’s) report.”   “The Public Eye report is based on a sample of 13 interviewees and, though all voices in our supply chain are important, this small sample size should be seen in the context of our comprehensive ongoing process to continually improve our supply chain, which involves engaging with thousands of suppliers and workers within the supply chain,” it reportedly expressed.   A spokesperson for Shein reportedly told CNN that the company requires its suppliers to cap workers’ schedules at 60 hours per week, including overtime, and to give workers at least one day off a week. Staff also have the right to refuse to work overtime.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita may not be the most suitable measurement of Jamaica’s growth, as indicated by a discussion paper published by the Jamaica Economy Panel (JEP) on Friday. The paper, titled ‘Beyond GDP per capita for Jamaica’s Sustainable Development’, utilises the findings of a survey conducted between March 10 and March 23, examining the possibility of adopting measures other than GDP to gauge the country’s level of development. According to UWI Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, Dr Nadine McCloud, concerns exist regarding the effectiveness of GDP per capita in measuring development progress, especially concerning sustainable development. “There is broad consensus that using GDP per capita as a metric for economic performance and development is tantamount to viewing a country and its citizens through a narrow and severely biased lens fraught with many ills,” said Dr McCloud. Overall, the JEP panellists agreed that advancements in wealth accounting tools provided a deeper comprehension of both the quantity and quality of growth and development. Senior Economist in the United Nations Resident Coordinators Office, Dr Stuart Davies, highlighted how new measuring tools can assist decision-makers and practitioners in better understanding the interlinkages and trade-offs between national assets, and reflect these in their policies to achieve sustainable development more effectively. “Recent advances in wealth accounting, which go beyond GDP, can enable a better understanding of not only the quantity but also the quality of growth and development,” said Dr Davies. Promoted Links You May Like Stay Safe Online: Essential Tips for Cyber Security!infoaday.com by Taboola “For small island developing countries, like Jamaica, these new wealth accounting tools enable more nuanced approaches to development that enhance not just future prosperity but also resilience in all its forms,” he added. However, the panel noted that introducing a new development measurement tool for Jamaica comes with its own share of challenges. The JEP panel emphasised several hurdles, including inadequate data on non-economic aspects and challenges in quantifying intangible assets. Additionally, they cited potential resistance from entrenched institutions and policymakers accustomed to GDP-focused methods, along with limited awareness among policymakers regarding the limitations of GDP and the advantages of alternative measures. “Moving beyond GDP will require committed collective efforts among various partners and stakeholders to research, design, finance and educate on new measurement tools in the years to come,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dennis Zulu. “The United Nations is committed to working with the government to implement more nuanced development measurement tools like Beyond-GDP for a more adequate measure of Jamaica’s sustainable development progress as well as for more effective development planning,” he added. JEP is part of a partnership between the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies. The panel brings together economic, public-sector experts, and development practitioners to address monthly socio-economic questions. Oki

In an inspiring display of compassion and community spirit, two local boys spearheaded a project to establish a raised bed garden at the SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill. Last Sunday the duo, accompanied by volunteers from the Campion Agricultural Society, worked tirelessly alongside the children at the facility to create the garden space. Alexander Crawford and Samuel Sutherland, students of Campion College, envisioned a space where the children could not only learn about sustainable agriculture but also experience the joy of nurturing life. With unwavering dedication, they fundraised and rallied support from their school and community, gathering materials and supplies valued over $55,000 to make their vision a reality. However, their generosity didn’t stop there. With a heartwarming gesture, the boys donated $150,000 worth of food items to the children’s home, ensuring they have a plentiful supply of nutritious meals and snacks. Additionally, they organised a special treat for all the children, bringing them a feast from KFC feast and an array of snacks. The children at the SOS Children’s Village were not only recipients but active participants in the project, learning valuable skills and forging connections with their community. WhatsAppShare

AP) — The English Premier League football title race will go to the last day of the season after Arsenal returned to the top of the standings with a 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday. Leandro Trossard struck in the 20th minute at Old Trafford to ensure Arsenal will take defending champions Manchester City to the final round of games next Sunday.     Anything other than a win against United for Mikel Arteta’s team could have seen City clinch the title with victory at Tottenham on Tuesday. Arsenal duly delivered and moved one point ahead of its title rival in second place.   Arsenal will host Everton in the final round, when Man City hosts West Ham.     Defeat for United was a latest blow for under pressure manager Erik ten Hag, whose team lost for the 14th time in the league this season and extended a damaging run that has seen it win just one of its last eight games in England’s top division.   Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. Arsenal benefited from slack defending from United when makeshift center back Casemiro was slow to push up and played Kai Havertz onside.   The Germany forward took advantage and drove into the box before crossing for Trossard to convert from close range.

Frustrated residents in Mona Heights, St Andrew, are demanding action from the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) following what they described as chaotic building construction in theirneighbourhood.   Tensions peaked last month when residents saw steel work suggesting that a third floor would likely be added to a single family residence under construction. They reported the matter to the KSAMC, which, on April 29, placed a stop order on the construction pending an investigation.   Councillor Gary Gordon (Jamaica Labour Party, Mona Division) told the Jamaica Observer that he reported the matter on April 26 and was told by representatives at the KSAMC that the developers said that what was being constructed atop the building “was a staircase and a recreational area, not a [third floor]”.   However, president of the Mona Heights Citizens’ Association Winsome Johns-Gayle said that residents believe that despite the stop order construction will continue. She said residents are frustrated with the KSAMC’s handling of reports of building violations in the community and do not believe their complaints are taken seriously.   “Homeowners in Mona are extremely displeased with what appears to be chaotic building construction in the community. Mona Heights residents do not want any three-storey or higher buildings. We insist that only two-storey buildings are conducive to the community and environment,” she told the Sunday Observer.   “Mona Heights citizens are calling for a temporary halt to KSAMC building approvals and an immediate development consultation with the community before building approvals resume. We also call for immediate stop orders and demolition, not regularisation, of constructions that are non-compliant with building approvals and prosecution of persons who persist with non-compliant developments,” she said.   The Sunday Observer made multiple attempts to get a comment from Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby on how the KSAMC will address the concerns raised by the residents and their requests for building approvals to be halted until a meeting is held to discuss the issue. However, those efforts were futile as calls to Swaby’s cellular phone and messages with questions were left unanswered.   Meanwhile, Johns-Gayle said the residents are seeking assistance from the public defender in this matter. Promoted Links You May Like Step Into The World Of Property Investment: 2024 Bahamas EditionReal Estate Investments | Search Ads by Taboola “What should we expect for approvals going forward? Are we to be consulted? Are conditions of approval consistent with current building codes for Mona Heights? What level of oversight and inspections are undertaken? If the citizens are doing it for you, why haven’t you listened to our reports?” she questioned. Johns-Gayle said that not only are three-storey buildings prohibited in the residential area, but they infringe on residents’ privacy. “I mean, you live in your house, you live there as a resident for a certain amount of years, you don’t want a three-storey building beside you to be looking into your bedroom. You will have no privacy and if it is illegal, it is illegal, it ought not to be done,” Johns-Gayle said. “That is what has happened to a lot of housing areas, including Hope Pastures. People have to run away leave them place because they can’t stay. The same thing has happened on Wellington Drive. If you drive down there people use to live in homes down there, but they don’t live there anymore because all of these things put up around them… on all four sides. They have to be running to get privacy… We can’t have that in Mona. We can’t have something going up that is going to disturb people,” she said. “Complaints have been made about other construction that violate permits but buildings have been allowed to be completed and occupied. This must stop!” she insisted. A resident, who has lived in the community for more than 30 years told the Sunday Observer that “if you were to look around the community you would only see two-storey buildings and that is for a reason. Nobody wants anyone looking over into their yard”. Another resident questioned the developers’ claim that a third storey was not being constructed. “Ginnalship! They intended a third floor, and if not closely monitored it will quietly continue. I just passed the building and work goes on,” said the resident on May 1. “The plan is to complete the third floor then seek to regularise. It is only effective and intentional leadership which can halt this travesty,” he added.

THE hearing of evidence in the Keith Clarke murder trial in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston was again stalled on Wednesday, this time because of the illness of a key witness.   Trial judge Justice Dale Palmer was adamant, however, that the matter must proceed come Monday.   “I must say that I am so disappointed that we are unable to start. The seriousness of that illness is certainly more than initially thought. We have been given assurance that the transcripts will be ready by the weekend. I was firmly of the view we could have commenced with the doctor’s evidence. While I may not have necessarily taken the view that we would have been adversely affected, if this is the state he is in, we really want to have an update with regards to that witness so that we can proceed,” Justice Palmer said.   He added that with the prosecution and defence agreeing on certain documents, he was satisfied that the trial can wrap up in four weeks after it gets underway on Monday.   Accountant Keith Clarke was shot and killed at his home in May 2010 by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) who were in search of then fugitive, Christopher “Dudus” Coke.   In 2012, three members of the JDF were charged with Clarke’s murder. Since then, there have been constant delays in the courts which have prevented the case from being tried by a jury since that time.   The three members of the JDF now on trial are lance corporals Greg Tingling and Odel Buckley as well as private Arnold Henry. Promoted Links You May Like New Senior Apartments in Lagos: Comfortable and Affordable (See Prices for 2024)Senior Living | Search Ads by Taboola In order to save time in the matter, Justice Palmer has already given guidance to members of the seven-member jury, through certain formalities, including the selection of the jury foreperson. “What I propose is that we get started with the initial formalities and that the Crown readies itself. After this adjournment, barring complaints which are unforseen, no further adjournments will be granted when we start on Monday morning. We will proceed one way or the other. Have the transcripts ready,” Palmer said. Last week when the defence team representing the soldiers applied for a stay of the proceedings, prosecutor Latoya Bernard urged Justice Palmer not to grant the request as she said the prosecution was ready to start the trial. “The matter is to proceed. On the last occasion we were here we indicated certain difficulties in relation to witnesses if the matter doesn’t start today. The matter has been before the court for 12 years and we have been ready,” Bernard said last week. However, prosecutor Yannick Forbes sang a different tune on Wednesday, telling the court that the medical condition of the witness was not a simple one. “The witness, as we understand it, actually has a bloodclot in the brain and in those circumstances we are unable to proceed with his evidence, certainly until we receive a comprehensive medical report with respect to that witness. We only knew of that Tuesday afternoon when we were about to interview that witness; therefore, it is that situation which arose yesterday which has placed us in this position. If we are forced to proceed otherwise, it would take away from the foundation which we find is important to to be led with respect to this matter. It is in those circumstances why we have asked for the adjournment. I spoke to my learned friends with respect this and other factors,” he said. This prompted Judge Palmer to adjourn the matter until Monday. Said he: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I spoke of administrative issues that resulted in our late start this afternoon, among them was the availability of one of the Crown’s witnesses who unfortunately is ill. Regrettably, because of those issues, we will not be able to commence with hearing evidence in this matter until Monday. I have to give consideration to you as jurors for your time, rather than to have you lose time waiting on witnesses or for the court to be available given its own constraints. When we get started, the prosecution will start the matter with an opening address. You are not to come to any final view in the matter until you have had all the evidence. It is everything taken together that will enable you to make a decision. The process you are now involved in is exceedingly serious. Justice can only be dispensed with the assistance of a jury. Justice does not mean finding someone not guilty if you satisfied so that you are sure that there is evidence to prove it.”

A female corporal from the St Catherine Fire Brigade is now in hospital after she suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while responding to a bush fire along Old Harbour Road in St Catherine on Monday. This was revealed at the monthly general meeting of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation on Thursday. District Officer Andrea Morris revealed to councillors that the fire department’s four stations in the parish have responded to 470 calls for April 2024. It was revealed that calls about bush fires were the main concern. “It was while attending to a fire when the incident occurred. At first we thought it was something simple until it was proven otherwise,” Morris said.

Two male bikers lost their lives after the motorcycle they were travelling on collided with a trailer truck on the Cave main road in Westmoreland on Thursday afternoon.   The names and identities of the victims have not yet been released by the police.   The accident reportedly took place sometime about 12:30 p.m. while the truck was travelling from the direction of Savanna-la-Mar towards Whitehouse. When The Gleaner visited the scene of the accident the lifeless body of one of the men was seen under the truck while the other was behind the truck. The police are currently monitoring the traffic in the vicinity of the scene.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The St James police received heavy commendations on Thursday after reporting an eight-year low in murders committed in the parish for April. Law enforcers revealed that for April, only six persons were murdered in the parish. The revelation was made by Superintendent Eron Samuels at the monthly council meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation. “The work of the police and the military has seen a reduction in murders and shootings over the last month,” he remarked. “In fact, for the month of April we saw the division recording the lowest murder figure for a month since 2016 with six murders. A little too much just to say but the efforts of the division must be noted,” he added. He explained that several factors contributed to this success. “It could be for a number of factors, one of which is the policing activities that we did. Since January, we have been working really hard within the spaces, trying to control the different conflicts,” he remarked. He also highlighted the work being done islandwide by the security forces as a contributing factor. Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for freeWar Thunder by Taboola “In April, there was an initiative right across the country to hold crime down and I believe that we benefitted from the work being done right across all divisions within the space and it is something that we hoped to continue especially in Area One to push at criminals right across the area,” he said. This news was welcomed by those present, given that the parish of St James continues to lead in the number of murders committed since the start of the year. Up to May 4, 48 people have been killed across the parish. However, according to the latest police data, St James has seen a slight decline in murders, which stood at 56 when compared to the same period last year. Councillor for the Montego Bay South East division, Arthur Lynch, thanked the police for their recent success. “I must say, on behalf of the residents of Montego Bay South East, we must commend the hard-working officers of the parish of St James for what they have been doing in reducing crime and violence and the recovery of weapons in the past months, I must say commendations to the team,” Lynch stated. Mount Salem Division Councillor Kerry Thomas also praised the work of the security forces. “Glad to hear the report that we are making significant progress and we need to maintain that,” he said.

India’s High Commissioner to Jamaica Masakui Rungsung says the high commission is working with Jamaican authorities to secure the repatriation of more than 200 Indians who arrived in the island on Thursday. The group arrived on a chartered flight, which travelled through Dubai and Egypt, accompanied by German crew members and at least one French national. “We are in touch with the local authorities for their safe and smooth repatriation,” Rungsung told The Gleaner Monday. He did not comment further. Gleaner sources have confirmed that the Indians are currently at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston awaiting flight clearance to depart. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. It is not clear if all of the Indians who arrived on Thursday are at the airport. The Gleaner was told that some of the travellers, who stayed at ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston, were headed to Nicaragua while some had intended to travel to Canada. The Government is yet to issue a statement on the development. The opposition People’s National Party has called for “immediate clarity” from the Government, noting that the chartered flight landed in Jamaica in breach of applicable immigration and customs protocols. – Kimone Francis

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica  – The Westmoreland police have laid charges against 29-year-old Sharone McDonald for cruelty to a child following the death of her eight-year-old son, who perished in a fire last weekend. The incident happened after 11:00 pm at their Top Lincoln, Grange Hill residence. McDonald was charged following a witness statement. Reports from the police are that  McDonald, the mother of Jahmiel Richardson, left him unattended in their one-bedroom concrete and wooden structured house. Citizens in the community then reportedly saw fire coming from the house and heard the boy calling out for his mother. The residents rushed to his assistance, however, the fire is said to have quickly engulfed the house, thwarting them from helping. Observer Online understands that the police and the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Department were alerted. During the cooling down operations, firemen reportedly found the charred remains of the Peggy Barry Primary student’s body in the back section of the house. READ: 8-y-o boy dies in fire, mother in custody The house was destroyed along with its contents. The value of the damage has not yet been determined.

Paediatric surgery, the delicate art of operating on infants, children, and adolescents, recently witnessed a remarkable advancement with the first laparoscopic surgeries performed at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC). The appendectomy and cholecystectomy, or gall bladder removal, were made possible with the laparoscopic machine donated to the BHC by the CHASE Fund. Dr Sarah Marshall Niles, consultant paediatric surgeon at the BHC responsible for the gall bladder removal, said the surgical team was happy to be able to provide this type of procedure with significant benefits to patients. “We are quite humbled and grateful to have finally achieved our long-standing vision of being able to truly provide world-class surgical service to our nation’s children,” she said. Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, involves the use of specialised instruments and a laparoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light source – to visualise and operate inside the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. Marshall Niles said the surgeon benefits from increased visibility during the procedure as the field of surgery is viewed with a telescope that provides magnified vision, which improves surgical precision. Commenting on the surgeries, Dr Claudine DeSouza, consultant paediatric surgeon who performed the appendectomy, noted that laparoscopic appendicectomies had been a goal of the hospital for some time, and she was extremely grateful to see it come to fruition. “It means we are able to offer similar surgical care to the children at Bustamante Children’s Hospital as they would receive in most First World countries for certain procedures. It means smaller scars for some procedures, less pain, a quicker recovery and likely quicker return to physical activities. We will continue the legacy of our mentors and do our best for our nation’s children,” she said. “The patient made a full recovery and has very small scars that are barely obvious,” she added. The integration of laparoscopic machines into BHC’s surgical practice represents a significant advancement in care at the institution, which is the only children’s hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean. The institution caters to patients from birth to 12 years, providing a comprehensive range of diagnostic, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and ambulatory services in paediatric medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. The acquisition of the laparoscopic machine was financed at a cost of $20 million by the CHASE Fund under its health portfolio. The fund supports health initiatives that advance the promotion of healthy lifestyles; build, upgrade, restore and equip health facilities, children’s homes, palliative and drug rehabilitation centres, AIDS hospices and shelters for the homeless, while also providing training for personnel who administer such facilities.

LEAD environment and community development official at the JN Foundation Omar Wright has called for a concerted effort to be made for a balance between sustainable water management and socio-economic development for the nation’s future resilience. Wright has warned that without immediate action Jamaica’s precious natural resources and ecosystems are at risk of irreversible damage, threatening both environmental stability and socio-economic well-being. “We [the JN Foundation] had a water summit in 2021, and we called on the Government of Jamaica to set a minimum standard to ensure that every housing development is outfitted with water-efficient features and fittings. We are still calling and advocating for this,” said Wright while addressing a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights. In a presentation dubbed ‘Navigating the waters: the intersection of water management and environmental conservation’, Wright said there is a pressing need for collaboration among all stakeholders. “Recognising the interconnectedness of water resources with all aspects of life, persons are urged to set aside differences and work towards a common goal, safeguarding Jamaica’s water for generations to come. “It is important that the Government, policymakers, businesses, and communities work together for a resilient future. If we don’t manage our water resources carefully, we will see the side of humanity that will be plunged into [water] war,” added Wright. Jamaica, like many other countries, is grappling with the repercussions of climate change, population growth, and unsustainable practices that strain its water resources. From diminishing water supplies to degraded ecosystems, the signs of stress are evident. However, amidst these challenges, Wright said there is an opportunity for transformation. “We have to ensure that we are managing the water resources in such a way that future generations will have access to water and we can indeed be the land of wood and water,” he said. Wright urged members of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights to advocate for water conservation initiatives. “Lend your voice and support to entities, institutions, and initiatives that are pushing for conservation of the environment. Find something that you are passionate about in the environmental sphere and lend your support,” said Wright. He also encouraged businesses to adopt water-efficient technologies and practices not only as a means of reducing operational costs but as a commitment to corporate social responsibility. Wright also urged communities to embrace water-saving habits and participate in local conservation efforts, recognising their role as custodians of Jamaica’s water resources. The call for Jamaicans to do more to conserve water has been growing in recent weeks as the island faces a severe drought. Last week Leanne Spence, co-founder and operator of water conservation company Instant-Save Jamaica Limited, argued that if residents of Kingston and St Andrew save 10 per cent of water used daily it would be enough to surpass the capacity of the Mona Reservoir, which holds 809 million gallons. “It is really important that we look at strategies to be better able to manage our water resources,” Spence told a public forum put on by The University of the West Indies, Mona, last Wednesday. Speaking during the event titled Down to the Last Drop: Tackling Jamaica’s Water Woes, Spence said while it is a known fact that Jamaica is experiencing scarcity, often as a result of inadequate distribution and aged infrastructure, Jamaicans should seek ways to help ensure water security. Spence said Instant-Save, through an efficiency-first approach called Demand Side Management, has assisted clients to save “millions of gallons of water”. She stated that “water efficiency and conservation can be a new water source as well”. Demand Side Management is a strategic toolbox which looks at behaviour change, efficient technologies, and financial incentives to promote efficient water use and curb consumption.

PRIME Minister Andrew Holness, intimating that he is a leader who gets things done, said Wednesday’s groundbreaking for a climate smart park in Portmore, St Catherine, is a testament to his Government’s penchant for completing the former Administration’s initiatives that get stuck in the pipeline. Holness was making reference to the on-again, off-again park, now being rebranded the ‘Portmore Resilience Park’ which had been promised to residents from as far back as 2011. “This park in particular has been the subject of many starts and stops. Thankfully, none under me. I find myself having to divide my time into completing what others started but did not finish, in addition to carrying through the things that I have started,” he said as he addressed what is to be the second and final groundbreaking ceremony for the park at its proposed location on Wednesday. The prime minister further argued that while everybody has thoughts, “good leaders are able to see the good idea and implement”. “I am happy to officially commence the build-out of the highly anticipated climate smart park spanning 21.5 acres,” he said, noting that the facility to be developed at a cost of $4.4 billion, is expected to be completed within 18 months. The project, which is expected to begin on February 5, is scheduled to be completed in September 2025. In another apparent jab at the previous Administration for failing to get the park going after many years, he noted that a deliverable of the project was that 160 trees were to have been planted around the perimeter, yet he is “searching for one”, adding that the commitment for pairing with a sister city internationally also did not materialise. Still referring to the undelivered project, Holness said: “It’s very good to talk rhetoric, promises, glowing words, but the real test [is] who delivers, who gets the job done. That’s what it comes down to,” he said. He added: “The flaw in the political economy of Jamaica is how we make decisions; we celebrate the lovely words, we celebrate the rhetoric… we celebrate the announcement and then having given of ourselves to promises, when we are disappointed we turn away from the system and say ‘cho, mi cyaa bother’, when what we must do is… take down the psychological and mental blocks, listen very carefully to what is being said, fact check it, contextualise it, put it against your own values and principles, and if it doesn’t align then you make your decision,” he said. Mayor of Portmore Councillor Leon Thomas, in his address, explained that the idea of the park was born out of discussions involving late former mayor George Lee in 2011. He said the plan for the project was formulated in 2012, presented in 2013, and ground broken on August 26, 2015. It was to have been a shared arrangement with the city of Hagen in Germany for the Portmore/Hagen climate change park “In reality, the park was significantly under cost at $66 million and given the nature of the land, after a review project, was cost for $176 million. Our partners were not prepared for the additional cost associated with the development of the park, and as such, they were unable to continue to provide funding,” he said. He said he was happy the Government is now able, with the assistance of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), to fund the development of the park. “I am also thankful that the UDC has seen it fit to continue with the original model of the park and has forseen the benefit to be derived from it,” he said. In his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives late last year, Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Eastern Robert Miller had promised that the stalled Portmore Climate Change Park would be transformed into the Portmore Resilience Park and that ground would be broken for the project later that year. “It has been too long. The citizens have been waiting for years; rest assured, I will get it done,” Miller said then. In 2015, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was entered into with the Portmore City Municipality (PCM) and the German city of Hagen to fund the development which was intended to include the planting of several trees, a running/walking trail, a pond, monuments, wind turbines, an observation tower, areas for small indigenous animals, a public awareness component, and other elements. The development of the parcel of land was, however, mired in controversy for a number of years, with Miller being at the centre of the dispute in recent times over his claim that the PCM spent $160 million on the establishment of the Portmore/Hagen Climate Change Park. In the meantime, providing details on the proposed layout of the park, Holness said the development of Lot 26 at the Portmore Town Centre, will see the establishment of a multifaceted recreational and wellness park catering to the people of Portmore. He said it will also feature soft and hard landscapes, sporting facilities, event spaces, commercial spaces, public restrooms. In addition, it will also utilise green and smart technology with solar power throughout the facility. It will also have sufficient parking and electric vehicle charging stations. Also, the park will have a 700-metre jogging trail to be constructed out of 70 per cent recycled materials. “A large part of the park will be educational. So right around the park, you will have signs and interactive equipment that will give you information about climate change, about conservation, about recycling, and so on,” Holness said. “The intention is to use the park to change attitudes of Jamaicans toward waste disposal protecting the environmnet and increasing the understanding of climate change. There is no doubt that this park will create significant economic activity in Portmore and it will increase property value of all the properties around the park,” he added. The prime minister said it is also expected that the park will create about 400 jobs

MONTEGO BAY, St James – The prosecution in the case against Gregory Roberts, who is being tried for murdering 15-year-old Shineka Gray in 2017, has suggested that the teenager was made into a human sacrifice by Roberts. The suggestion came during the closing remarks of the Crown’s case in the St James Circuit Court on Wednesday. “Is it that Shineka Gray was wounded for the transgressions of his ex-girlfriend?” questioned Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Andrea Martin-Swaby. “Why was it important for Gregory Roberts to kill and record it?” she asked rhetorically, to hammer home her point. “What did he say to Mario Morrison? ‘They take me for a fool and don’t know that I am a killer,’ ” she continued, quoting from one of the many text messages the court was told Roberts sent. There was testimony presented during the trial that Roberts sent messages to his ex-girlfriend and her mother in an attempt to scare both women into repaying money he said his ex had fleeced him. In one of the texts he said he had killed before and was willing to do so again. “So to prove a point you had to show that I am a bad man,” argued Martin-Swaby. To support her closing argument she also reminded jurors of other strings of text messages allegedly sent by Roberts. Martin-Swaby also referenced graphic details of the post-mortem report which painted a horrific picture of how the teen was murdered and sought to tie it to evidence presented by a witness called Gangster who told the court he saw Roberts stabbing the teenager. While defence attorney Leroy Equiano cast doubt on the testimony of several of the Crown’s witnesses during his closing remarks on Wednesday, Martin-Swaby suggested that evidence provided by experts who took the stand supports her case. She pointed to testimony from a detective inspector assigned to the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) Kemar Smith. In 2017, while he was a detective constable, he was a digital forensic officer with the Communication, Forensics and Cybercrime Division. However, in his summation the defence strongly challenged aspects of Smith’s findings. Equiano also had an issue with testimony provided by Gangster and co-accused Mario Morrison. Morrison pleaded guilty in September 2022 after entering a plea deal with the State and was sentenced to life in prison a month later. Gray, who was a grade 10 student, was found dead three days after being reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate. Roberts and Morrison were later taken in custody in connection with the killing. The sitting of the court will resume on Friday at 10:00 am when Martin-Swaby is expected to continue her presentation.

A domestic violence survivor who had to defend herself from an abusive partner on Tuesday described the new law scheduled to take effect next Monday as a step in the right direction, but said more needs to be done, especially from the moment a victim makes a report to the police. The 33-year-old woman, whom the Jamaica Observer will not name, said the issue has to be fixed in the initial stages for victims to truly benefit. She was responding to Gender Minister Olivia Grange’s statement in Parliament in which she encouraged victims to come forward and seek protection under the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023. “Let the word go out from here that we are serious about dealing with domestic abuse. A new era has come for protecting victims and increasing the punishment for perpetrators of domestic abuse,” Grange said in her statement. “Domestic abuse is not inevitable. It doesn’t have to happen. There is no excuse for abuse, and we can end the abuse. The amendment of our legislation is part of our effort to end the abuse. And I’m saying to all women out there, and men, don’t be afraid; there is protection for you,” Grange said. The gender minister said the governor general has given assent to the amended legislation which was passed in both Houses of Parliament last December. The Government and parliamentarians, she said, have demonstrated their “commitment to preventing domestic violence through the passage of these important amendments”, which will, among other things, allow the court to issue protection orders and impose a penalty of up to $1 million for breach of a protection order, up from a maximum of $10,000, and a sentence of up to one year in prison. “The protection orders are intended to guard against an array of potential harm from harassment to property damage, and it is right with the passage of time that we now apply a more appropriate penalty that will serve as a deterrent to this very serious crime,” she said. However, the domestic violence survivor, who recounted her experience to the Observer, said that when she turned up at the police station, face swollen, and with a broken finger, to make a report, she was sent back to the home she shared with her ex. That night he had rapidly punched her face six times, knocking her to the floor unconscious, she shared. “When I reported my case to the police, they saw my face; my face was swollen. They didn’t do anything about it, they just came by the house and they left us there the night,” she said. At the time she was the tenant on the lease, and the agreement with her ex was that he would cover the rent and she would pay the utilities. However, he had quit paying the rent, she said. “Even when I explained and told the police that the house was not his, it was my house, I got the house to rent, and I said I didn’t want to stay there with him, they said they can’t get him out,” the woman related. She said she and her ex slept in separate areas of the house — him in the front and she in the back. “They left us there that night, and three nights after that he came to the back room for me to sleep with him that night,” she said, adding that when she resisted he got angry and took a hammer to her TV and sewing equipment. Then he left the house. “I knew he was coming back that night. I took my three boys and put them in the front room,” the woman said, adding that she barricaded herself inside, with three knives for protection. “Because I knew that if he came back he was coming to kill us. And he did come back and kicked the door [several times], but the door wouldn’t open, so he left.” She said had the police reacted from the first time she made a report her ex may not have come back. “If he had come in the room that night, it’s either he would have killed me or I would have killed him,” she said. Arguing that the police have to be more responsive from the initial report is made, she said that in her case no photos were taken. “You know how I got him to leave me alone? I had to send my [family member] to him to threaten him, that’s how he left me alone. I didn’t want to get them involved. Even all my abuse, I had to hide it from them, because I couldn’t let them know. But when I realised that the police weren’t helping, I had to seek different help,” she said. “It’s like police only run to your rescue when they have a crime scene,” she said. “Because if they had fixed it from the first time it would have been better. This could have led to a crime scene, because I decided that night that if he came inside I would retaliate. When a woman is making a report, the police should take more action, especially when they see proof.” She also said a woman with obvious injuries should not have to go to court for a protection order to keep her abuser away. Under the Domestic Violence Act, the court may issue a protection order if it is satisfied that the accused has used, or threatened to use, violence against or caused physical or mental injury to a person and is likely to do it again. The protection order prohibits someone who is abusive — either verbally, emotionally or physically — from entering or remaining in a particular household, place of work, place of education, or any particular place that could affect a prescribed person. Grange, in her statement, said the new law will also increase the categories of persons who can make an application for a protection order, including

The prosecution on Tuesday urged jurors to find quality analyst Rushelle Foster guilty of murder in the 2019 stabbing death of national senior women’s footballer Tarania “Plum Plum” Clarke, saying the accused had “deliberately” painted the Reggae Girl as a “jealous, controlling and violent” lover to mask the fact that she killed her in cold blood. The prosecutor, in her closing address, hammered home the testimony of the sole eyewitness who was the first to speak during the trial which began on Monday, January 8, 2024 in the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston. That eyewitness had said on the day in question (October 31, 2019), Foster and Clarke were in an altercation over a phone and that Foster was “on top of her voice” but Clarke was not confrontational. That account is counter to that of Foster’s who, on Monday this week, in an unsworn statement delivered amidst tears, insisted that she had acted in self-defence and would have been the one to die if the enraged footballer, who was fuming over the fact that she had called it quits on their “toxic” seven-month sexual relationship, had got hold of the weapon used to stab her. At the end of that encounter Clarke, a rising star in the sporting arena, lay dead on the ground at Limelight Plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew. Foster said she was the one who ran to the Half-Way-Tree Police Station to get help for Clarke after passers-by refused to assist. But according to the Crown, that was all an act. “She (eyewitness) demonstrated how Miss Foster was behaving. She indicated that she was angry, she was heated. She indicated that she heard when Miss Foster said, ‘mi a call yuh and yuh naw ansa mi’ and that Clarke tried to calm her down,” the prosecutor said on Tuesday. That eyewitness had testified that instead of calming down, Foster tried to wrestle the phone from Clarke, who was trying to delete what she had from the phone and said “Wait nuh Rushelle, yuh nuh si mi a delete something”. The eyewitness said Foster, who by this time had pulled a knife, stabbed at the hand the footballer was using to delete the material from the phone and then stabbed her in her left side. The witness told the court that when Clarke gasped, “Yuh nuh si yuh stab mi”. Foster said, “So what, mi wi do it agen”, raised her hand and stabbed her a second time. The witness said the footballer, on a shocked laugh, said, “Yuh nuh si yuh stab mi”, took three steps and fell into Foster’s arms. The prosecutor wasted no time in pointing out to the jury that Foster, who could have given sworn testimony or remained silent, chose to give an unsworn statement from the dock which meant she could not be questioned by the Crown nor the judge. “She chose to sit in the docks and say what she wanted to say. Miss Foster is building as she goes along, she let us know she was in an intimate relationship with Miss Clarke and that Plum Plum wanted a serious relationship. She painted a picture that Plum Plum was this controlling person, jealous and violent…and this violent person she went to meet. She built her case as she went along. No mention [was made by Foster’s defence team of her claims that] she got two boxes to the face or kicks from the knees. Use your everyday senses,” the prosecutor pointed out in trashing elements of Foster’s unsworn statement. “She failed to tell you seh annoh one stab she give har, a two…you saw how that stab went into her, that was no falling back, she wants us to believe it was an accident. That was no accident,” the prosecutor said. In declaring that Foster “can’t be believed” as her story kept “changing”, the prosecutor said, “Yes, there was jealousy, she was jealous and to make it worse Plum Plum a delete things she can’t see. You heard how many times [the witness told the court] that Plum Plum said ‘mind yuh stab mi’ and she said ‘so what if mi dweet’. “She deliberately and intentionally did it. This is no accident. Accident is something that is out of your control, unforeseen…during the entire incident all Tarania had in her hand was the phone…she came with her self-defence but she was not under any attack. No threat was there to her life that warranted her pulling a knife. The constant thing in all of it was, she wanted the phone to see what Tarania up to…she was jealous,” the prosecutor said further. In pointing out that Foster, in her unsworn statement, made several assertions that her legal team did not raise or examine any of the witnesses on, the prosecutor said, “She made it up as she went along, you are hearing all kinds of things for the first time from her. I will let you know, on the 31st of October 2019, Miss Foster was the jealous one, Miss Foster attacked Tarania Clarke, she stabbed her twice but she only mentioned once”. A consultant forensic pathologist who had examined Clarke’s body said the then 20-year-old died from “haemorrhage and shock” from a stab wound to the chest which punctured a lung. The stab was one of two wounds the footballer received. The first, which was inflicted to the left upper anterior chest, penetrated the underlying tissues and perforated the upper lobe of the left lung. The expert said the second stab to the left mid-anterior abdomen penetrated underlying tissues and ended in the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall. The consultant forensic pathologist said haemorrhaging was seen in the tissue of the stab wound. On Tuesday, Foster’s defence team urged the jury to acquit their client, arguing that the witnesses called by the prosecution were not credible and that the sole eyewitness had an interest to serve as she was the friend

Twenty-three-year-old Rushelle Foster — who is on trial for the murder of national senior women’s footballer Tarania “Plum Plum” Clarke four years ago — on Monday claimed she acted in self-defence as she would have been the one to die if the enraged footballer, who was fuming over the fact that she had called it quits on their “toxic” seven-month sexual relationship, had got hold of the weapon used to stab her. “The night when she start fight mi and a fling mi all bout, and a wrestle wid mi, mi go inna di bag fi di knife; mi think seh if Tarania si di knife she a go walk weh. Mi know if mi did let it go Tarania woulda kill mi di night. Mi tek out di knife fi defend misself, mi teck out di knife because she a fight mi and mi think she would jus’ back off,” Foster said in an unsworn statement from the dock of Courtroom Number One in the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston. An unsworn statement is a testimonial by an accused, setting out their version of the event, but which is not on oath and not subject to cross-examination by the prosecutor or questions by the judge. Clarke, a rising star in the sporting arena, was stabbed to death during a reported dispute over a cellular phone about 8:50 pm on October 31, 2019 at Limelight Plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew. The sole eyewitness, who was the first to take the stand in the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court when the trial began on January 8, 2023, had told the court that on the evening in question there was an argument between the Reggae Girl and the defendant. In that argument, the witness said Foster accused Clarke of deliberately ignoring her calls. The witness said Clarke responded by saying her phone was acting up and that other individuals were also experiencing difficulties contacting her. The witness said Foster lunged forward and tried to grab the phone from Clarke, who pushed her hand away. She said Foster then brandished a knife and stabbed the footballer in her side. The court was told that when Clarke gasped, “Yuh stab mi,” Foster reportedly said, “Mi wi do it again,” and stabbed her a second time. The witness then described for the court the frantic efforts to get help for the footballer, who was pronounced dead at hospital. But on Monday Clarke, who introduced herself as a quality analyst, in sharing “what really happened on October 31, 2019” said the relationship with the footballer had soured because they had different “values”. “I met her four years before, but got into an intimate relationship seven months prior [to the incident]. Me and Tarania were in an intimate relationship. Growing up, my sexuality was always a concern. I wanted to experience how being with a female felt; I was on the experimental side. When I met Tarania she expressed to me that she liked me. I told her I’d never been with a female before so I wasn’t sure I would be able to be committed,” Foster told a deafeningly silent courtroom. “After a while I decide that if I was going to be with a female, my first time would be with Tarania. We decided we would start dating. It started to develop, we started to spend more time together, started doing things together, but we realised that we had different values and because of that we started not to get along so well,” Foster said. “Tarania wanted more of a committed relationship while I was more on the experimental side of things. Because of this, she was always wanting an argument,” Foster said. She told the court that things came to a head following an encounter with an old flame at an eating spot in Kingston where she and the footballer had frequently gone on dates. “She start toe to toe wid mi how much mi an her siddung yasso and yuh a teck talk from man — styling ting dat. Mi laugh and seh ‘Plum, yuh siddung yasso and hear everyting di bwoy seh? It nuh dat serious. Mi nah go do dis wid yuh right yasso because a inna public place wi deh.’ We got our food, and we ate, and we eventually left,” she said. The accused woman said they again quarrelled when they got to her house, leading to her telling the footballer that she wanted out of the relationship. That’s when she said things got physical. “She start talk bout how much mi nuh rate har; the argument got heated till she shot mi two box. Mi can’t fight Tarania, she bigger than mi; she play fi Jamaica, she go gym. Mi end up jus’ run har go har yard,” Foster told the court. The next time they met, Foster said, was on the fateful night. She told the court that Clarke, in three weeks after that quarrel, had complained that the phone Foster had gifted her was not working properly. Foster claimed that although she had told Clarke that the relationship was over, she was still her friend and so arranged to meet her to take the phone and have the problem addressed since the warranty was still valid. She said that in getting to the meeting spot and sometime later seeing Clarke, the footballer “hug mi up and start miss mi and seh, ‘Yuh really a go lef mi because a dat?’ and ‘Mi really sorry’ “. Foster said when she did not return her affections Clarke got mad. “She seh from mi si di bwoy a Lucky Crab yuh nuh waan talk to mi…the bwoy a [expletive] yuh know — a styling ting”. According to Foster, she denied Clarke’s claim and cursed at her, telling her she could keep the phone. She said it was while walking away that she felt a tug on her top and realised the

SPUR TREE, Manchester — Jackie Dunbar thought she was going to die when her car got out of as part of on Spur Tree Hill during Monday’s oil spill-induced multi-vehicle crash. Dunbar, who described the experience as “extremely frightening”, was making her daily commute to work in Santa Cruz when disaster struck on the notoriously treacherous stretch of road. “At the corner I picked up a skid and then I realised that there is some oil on the road. Instead of holding the brake, I tried to steer the vehicle down as best as possible. After a while, I just couldn’t steer anymore. The car just spun around in the road, hit the embankment there, and then after that I realised that this is an accident… ‘This is death now,’ that is what I thought,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “I got out of the car because I realised that other vehicles were coming and I didn’t want them to come down and hit me,” added Dunbar who said her car was the first of seven vehicles to crash shortly before 7:00 am. “They (motorists) were experiencing the same thing. I got out of the car, went on the other side of the road, then I realised that there was a fire, so the driver of that bus came out with his fire extinguisher; he was the one who put the blaze out. By that time now, cars were just going over. There was one van that just went over into the precipice. There was one that hit in the light pole. Cars were just going in crazy directions,” Dunbar said. “I am thankful to be spared. I am happy to be alive,” she added. During the interview with the Observer Dunbar realised that her cousin, Gordon Trowers, was also involved in the nasty mishap. His vehicle went off-road into a ditch. “When I came around the corner I felt the vehicle sliding so I pressed the brake, and this is where it carried me over. I was frightened but I give God thanks for life because it could have been worse,” said Trowers. The Observer was told that a Hiace minibus, which crashed into a utility post, was transporting members of Jamaica Constabulary Force to western Jamaica. Sources say at least two police personnel were seriously injured. A policeman had to be extracted from the mangled vehicle. Jamaica Fire Brigade District Officer Fitzroy Donaldson explained that it took some time to remove the policeman. The injured cop was transported to hospital in the back of a police pickup assigned to Manchester. “Our extrication equipment was used to [remove] a male victim from a grey Hiace motor van; the extrication process took about 20 minutes. We managed to have him transported in a police vehicle to the hospital,” Donaldson said. He suggested that more resources are needed to respond to crashes. “Resources are not readily available to respond to incidents like these. I wish that could change,” the fireman said. He explained that water was used to wash the oil from the road. “We cannot use dirt, as we normally do, because the dirt around the area is wet, and when you put that dirt on the oil it will make the situation more dangerous,” Donaldson explained. Head of the St Elizabeth police Deputy Superintendent Coleridge Minto, who was on his way to his divisional headquarters in Black River, was among those stranded on Spur Tree Hill Monday morning. Scores of commuters, including hundreds of schoolchildren, walked for miles to access transportation, due to the road being blocked and emergency responders clearing the oil spillage for four hours. It is believed the oil was discharged from a truck earlier Monday morning. “It may have resulted from a truck travelling in a westerly direction towards St Elizabeth. We have already [alerted] the commanders for St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover. We are trying to identify the truck that persons indicated perhaps had some mechanical difficulties why the oil came from that truck,” Minto said, adding that at least seven motor vehicles were involved in the mishap. “Some [vehicles] made contact with each other [while] others were just single-vehicle [damage]. One [unmarked] police vehicle also hit into a light post, which resulted in several of our members sustaining severe injuries,” he added. The St Elizabeth police chief said he will be coordinating with the Manchester police to monitor the road. “We are still appealing to the motorists who are using the Spur Tree main road to exercise immense caution… Spur Tree is a major corridor which connects people travelling to the western side of the island and vice versa. We are aware that there are some large units that carry aggregate, and at times there is spillage of this. I will be speaking with my Manchester counterpart as well as my own police in St Elizabeth to ensure that we do some active policing on these corridors to ensure that, particularly the heavy units coming through the space meet the regulations in terms of their load and weight. If necessary, we [will] engage the [Island Traffic Authority] to be a part of those operations,” he said. The Spur Tree main road links Mandeville and its environs to St Elizabeth and points west. Heavily laden, slow-moving trucks often hinder traffic on the steep hill, and there have been a number of fatal crashes involving trucks down the years. Road safety experts say inexperienced drivers, overweight and defective vehicles are among the main causes for mishaps on the crash-prone road. Recently, Prime Minister Andrew Holness reiterated plans to extend Highway 2000 further west, bypassing the crash-prone Spur Tree Hill road. “Looking ahead, the Government plans to further extend the highway to bypass Spur Tree within the next five years, continuing its commitment to improving Jamaica’s road infrastructure,” he had said in a press release. Last year Holness announced that the Government intends to extend the highway from Williamsfield, Manchester, to Hodges near Black River

CHAIRMAN Robert Montague emerged from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Central Executive Committee meeting on Sunday saying that the 80-year-old political organisation is now in “full election mode” and that his team has no equal going into the upcoming local government polls. “In February 2023 when the local government election was being postponed from the floor of the Parliament the country was put on the mark. At our 80th anniversary conference last November the order came, ‘Get set.’ On the 14th of January 2024 it is ready,” Montague, who was returned unopposed as chairman during Sunday’s meeting at JLP headquarters on Belmont Road in St Andrew, told the Jamaica Observer. “The Jamaica Labour Party has introduced to the country the best set of mayors, the best set of councillors, and today, on the 14th, we have declared the best set of candidates for a local government election. There is no alternative; this slate is Jamaica’s only choice. We stand on our achievements and we look forward to our plans and policies; and we believe in the Jamaican people because we have served them, we love them, and we know they love us,” Montague said. The veteran politician, who represents St Mary Western in the legislature, said the ruling party will be giving the same level of energy to its strongest and weakest divisions. “We are leaving nothing to chance. We’re going to fight for every community because this is about community — and the community is the cornerstone of the country,” Montague said. Earlier in a news release, chairman of the party’s public relations committee Robert Nesta Morgan said the meeting had received reports from the executive, including Montague, General Secretary Dr Horace Chang, Deputy Chairman Dr Aundre Franklyn, chairman of Area Council One Desmond McKenzie, and Treasurer Aubyn Hill. Morgan said that, based on the reports, JLP leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the party’s political machinery is ready for local government elections and said he is confident in the prospects of the JLP for the upcoming poll, as the internal polling numbers showed the party maintaining a strong lead in a majority of parish council seats. Local government elections, which are constitutionally due every four years, were last held in November 2016. They were scheduled for November 2020 but were postponed as the country was still in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. This notwithstanding the fact that a general election was held two months earlier. In February last year legislators in both Houses of Parliament put through the Representation of the People (Postponement of Elections to Municipal Corporation and City Municipalities) Act, 2023, which postponed the election until February 2024 to allow further time for continued public consultation on draft legislation to enable Portmore to become Jamaica’s 15th parish. Under the Representation of the People Act there must be at least five clear days after the announcement of an election and nomination day, which cannot be a Sunday or public holiday, and no fewer than 16 days, to a maximum of 23 days between nomination day and election day. This would give the Holness Administration a deadline of February 3 to announce the election if it is to stick to its commitment of holding the poll by the end of February. In his news release Morgan also said that during Sunday’s meeting Holness commented on some of the important issues on the national agenda, including the push to make Portmore a parish, saying it was never intended as an election gimmick or a strategy to win the municipality. He noted that the country is evolving economically, culturally and socially, and this evolution requires the Government to make strategic changes to enhance the development of areas like Portmore, which requires changes in definition and management to further its development. The prime minister, Morgan said, was adamant that his Government would never seek to use the people of Portmore for narrow political objectives. Regarding other important issues on the national agenda, Holness noted that roads have become a political flashpoint wherein some people feel that in order to get their roads repaired, they must protest. He advised that roads continue to be a critical priority for the Government. The central executive was told that the new Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) programme will provide a collaborative approach between the Government, Members of Parliament, councillors and community members. The programme will modernise more than 2,000 roads islandwide. Holness instructed them to work collaboratively and help ensure that the Government’s focus on road infrastructure is successful. He said that at the next sitting of Parliament the Government will outline a consultative process for residents of communities to contribute to the decision-making on which roads should be repaired in their area, but emphasised that priority ought to be given to those roads considered to be pain points. He also challenged political leaders, councillors, and councillor caretakers to ensure that they focus on their communities to highlight the strong achievements that have been made over the last six years under the JLP, Morgan said. Holness added that no other Government has done as much for local government, and only a JLP-led Government has the vision and the expertise to continue the positive evolution of local government in Jamaica.

OPPOSITION shadow minister of health and wellness Dr Alfred Dawes has called on the authorities to move with alacrity to prevent a full-scale disruption to the island’s health-care system in the wake of mounting human resources challenges within the Ministry of Health. Dr Dawes said urgent action is needed to address the growing crisis affecting health-care services, highlighting that last week South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) experienced industrial action from laboratory technicians and nurses, revealing systemic issues within the ministry. “The current state of affairs within our health-care system is alarming. Employees are citing concerns related to compensation, working conditions, and what they perceive as a lack of responsiveness from senior managers to their grievances. The Ministry of Health must swiftly and comprehensively address the root causes of these issues to ensure the continued delivery of quality health-care services,” Dr Dawes said, emphasising the urgency of the situation. “Unless we solve all of these issues before they bubble to the surface, then you are going to have continued disruptions in the health-care sector,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday. Dr Dawes had issued a news release on Saturday evening, in which he raised alarm over the situation. He also expressed concern with regard to the rapid promotion of recently graduated nurses, stating that, “Hastily promoting inexperienced nurses without completing the required orientation programme is unfair to these nurses who lack the requisite experience but are expected to assume primary responsibility for patient care, without adequate supervision. “This potentially dangerous practice jeopardises patient safety and places an undue burden on our seasoned health-care professionals. We need a strategic and sustainable approach to address staffing challenges,” he added. In a plea to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Dawes urged collaboration, stating, “This is a critical moment for our health-care system. The ministries must work together to resolve these issues promptly, ensuring the well-being of both health-care providers and the patients they serve.” Yesterday he also pointed to some junior doctors receiving larger salaries than consultants and seniors. “A couple of doctors have called to thank me for bringing this to the attention of the public. It has been a serious concern that the negotiations between the consultants’ group and the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health have not been progressing. The bone of contention is that with junior doctors signing off on their salary increase, they are now compensated — in some cases — significantly more than what the consultants are being paid because their salary packages are yet to be settled. “The offers that they have had so far are all seeing the discrepancy persisting rather than addressing the anomaly where seniors are getting less than juniors. In no profession anywhere in the world do you have a senior who is teaching, training and supervising a junior and is making less money than what the junior is making. That is what is brewing right now. It is in the same vein of the nurses’ grouses with their remuneration not being addressed until it boiled over into the industrial action we saw last week,” he pointed out. The Observer sought comment from Errol Greene on Sunday, but the SERHA regional director described the situation as “delicate” and declined to join the discussion.

THE Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) seems set to finalise its plans, and possibly a date, for the looming local government elections when its Central Executive Committee meets today. Up to late Saturday, senior JLP officials were tight-lipped about when the polls will be held, pointing the Jamaica Observer to Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie. But during the usual monthly meeting of municipal corporations across the island last week there were several indications from JLP chairmen that those would be the last meetings before the polls. Mayor of Port Maria Richard Creary told members of St Mary Municipal Corporation to get ready to face their exams as he declared that that councillors should be prepared and ready. “To face the electorate, all of us have done enough. And we are not worried to go out and campaign and, hopefully, return to the St Mary Municipal Corporation,” Creary said in a show of confidence that the JLP would retain control of the municipal corporation. It was a similar message from Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams at a meeting of Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation on Tuesday as he hinted it would be the last before the local government elections. “We wish you all the best and we wish for your re-election. I know you are very decent campaigners so welcome to the camaraderie and the high level of decency involved in the campaign activities. But if I don’t get that opportunity to do it again because the election is called, I take the opportunity to say to you all, all the best,” Williams told the meeting. Under the Representation of the People Act there must be at least five clear days after the announcement of an election and nomination day, which cannot be a Sunday or public holiday, and no fewer than 16 days, to a maximum of 23 days between nomination day and election day. This would give the Holness-led Administration a deadline of February 3 to announce the election if it is to stick to its commitment of holding the poll by the end of February. Late last week whispers emerged in political circles that during a meeting with the party’s mayors, McKenzie was urged to delay the election for at least three months. While efforts to contact McKenzie were unsuccessful, senior JLP officials told the Sunday Observer that the Government was firm in its commitment to not postpone the election this time around. The elections, which are constitutionally due every four years, were last held in November 2016. They were due to be held in November 2020 but were postponed as the country was still in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic — this was notwithstanding the fact that a general election was held two months earlier, in September of that year. At that time the new date for Jamaicans to elect local government representatives was set for February 28, 2023, but days before the polls were to be held McKenzie told the House of Representatives that they would be postponed for a third time as the country’s economic recovery post-COVID, while good, was still fragile and consultations were still under way to make Portmore the country’s 15th parish. Late last week mayor of Port Antonio, the JLP’s Paul Thompson, told the Sunday Observer that the JLP’s representatives in Portland are comfortable with the end of February date. “The tentative date that I personally have in mind is by the 28th of February, and that is what I have in mind,” said Thompson. “The caretakers have been frustrated for such a long time and then to put it off every minute…. Some of the councillors and some of the caretakers would do well with an extension but it has been at the back of my mind from it was announced that [it will be held] by the 28th of February,” added Thompson. He argued that some councillors and caretakers, who have unfinished work to do, might welcome another postponement but, “for me personally, I just want to get over with it. But if it is the will of the Government to put it back for another three weeks, I don’t think it will really matter to me. “We have a Central Executive [Committee] meeting on Sunday (today), and I think some announcements will be made and some insight will be given as to when the next election will be. Last Thursday, Thompson told a meeting of Portland Municipal Corporation that, “An election is imminent, and I am not sure how many of us will be returned as councillors as many of us are here for the first time and this is the test that we are going to face in the election. I figure I might scrape through.” It was a similar story from Mayor of Falmouth Collen Gager who on Friday told the Sunday Observer that the JLP is confident of retaining control of Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) and that its councillor/candidates are prepared for whenever the local government elections are called. “We at the Trelawny Municipal Corporation are ready so it matters not; and whenever it is called we are ready so I am not contemplating about the timeline. Whether it put off or it don’t put off, we are ready and we are ready to retain the Trelawny Municipal Corporation,” said Gager. “We know that we will regain control of the municipal corporation and that is why I say we are ready — but we are guided by any decision that the minister and the party would be making,” added Gager as he expressed confidence that the JLP will increase the number of divisions it controls in the next local government elections. Of the nine councillors who make up the TMC, the JLP has six, to the PNP’s three.

A social media post advertising the sale of a white-tailed fawn has triggered calls from concerned farmers and environmental experts for Government intervention in controlling the island’s deer population. According to environmentalist Damion Whyte, he became aware of the impending transaction after a perturbed Instagram follower sent him a direct message questioning the legality of the action. Noting that there are no laws against the sale of the invasive animal, Whyte told the Jamaica Observer that concerns were raised regarding the environmental implications of these animals roaming across the island. Phone calls made to the contact number listed in the social media advert went unanswered; however, based on comments on the post, the animal was successfully “rehomed”. The white-tailed deer was introduced to the island in the 1980s as a tourist attraction at Somerset Falls in Portland. However, the population has increased since the escape of three does and three bucks during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Since then, there have been countless reports of deer sightings across the eastern parish with deer hunting also becoming a sporting activity for many Jamaicans. Irrespective of the thrill brought by the animal, Whyte told the Sunday Observer that all Jamaicans should be worried about the sale of the invasive species. “I know a farmer who had about two acres of carrots and when the carrots were ready to be reaped, they devastated the farm and he lost a lot of money. Then you have some other people growing other crops and the deer go in and mash up the place, so this is a big problem for agriculture,” said Whyte. At the same time, Whyte pointed out that the animals have naturally spread to other areas across the eastern region as the white-tailed deer have been reportedly spotted close to the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. With the national park stretching across four eastern parishes — St Andrew, St Thomas, Portland, and St Mary — Whyte said that the country’s endemic species are at risk of being damaged or consumed by the animals, should they venture into the protected area. “The deer eats a lot of our native vegetation and some of them might be endemic to Jamaica. A lot of the native plants take a long time to grow back and the ones that are not from here grow like weed. The deer is also good at spreading invasive species,” the environmentalist told the Sunday Observer. Pointing to the troubles faced by farmers in Portland, Whyte said he is uneasy by the thought of the animals being sold and becoming loose in different parishes where agriculture plays a major role in the livelihood of residents. “The reason we have a problem with people selling and taking deer to other parts of the island is because of the same problem that we have to be dealing with in Portland. Just imagine if the deer get loose in St Elizabeth, our bread basket — that is why it is a big concern,” Whyte explained. “We heard about people having deer in Clarendon. Also, based on social media and other people talking to me, there are records of people in other areas growing deer and keeping them like goats. We have information of people taking them to other places and keeping them as pets,” the added Whyte who is also a terrestrial biologist. Portland farmer Karen Tyrell told the Sunday Observer that she, too, is concerned by the sale of deer as the animals have wreaked havoc on farms in her community of Content. Raising similar concerns regarding the introduction of deer in other farming parishes, Tyrell argued that an increase in the deer population may affect the country’s food security as the animal has no natural predators in Jamaica. “If they escape and the population grows there, it will be a disaster for the farmers. The deer eats most of the crops that farmers produce — yam and vegetables — so that can affect our food security,” she said. Tyrell explained that there are not many ways to control the animal’s innate ability to graze on vegetation. “It is hard to control. Some farmers put soap in their fields to repel them because when they smell the soap they think someone is there, but apart from that they can’t control it. This is a big issue because the population is great and the climate is ideal for the deer population to grow,” the farmer told the Sunday Observer. Concerned for his crops in St Elizabeth, farmer Everton Holness is urging residents of the bread basket to be on the watch for deer in the parish. “We have to look out for who brings this animal into our space and let NEPA (National Environment and Planning Agency) know about it because we can’t afford for them to get loose down here. Holness said that the sale of the invasive species should be a concern to all Jamaicans who purchase ground provisions as damage to crops will ultimately come at a cost to consumers. “If reindeer come into St Elizabeth we are going to have problems with our crops because dem animal deh a go damage the things dem, so we can’t really mek that happen. If that happens, you know the price of things a go even higher than now because as you can imagine, the animals a go eat down the crops so the farmer a go lose money,” Holness told the Sunday Observer. David Walters, executive director of the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT), which manages the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, said while the JCDT’s patrol records do not show that there are deer within the national park boundaries, the trust has been getting reports from people living in communities adjacent to the park that there seems to be an increase in the deer population. “We don’t have data to support that, and that is a big part of the problem because we don’t know the

Just under four weeks after the police upgraded her death from natural causes to murder, Melissa Silvera was laid to rest at the St Andrew Parish Church Cemetery on Friday, following a poignant funeral in the sanctuary. The wife of People’s National Party former Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera had been baptised in the church just over 40 years ago. She was married in the church in December 2015, and on Friday, family and friends said farewell to her in the same church with her murder mystery unsolved. The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of sorrow and celebration as tributes were presented, reflecting the profound impact that Melissa Patrice Walter-Silvera had on the lives of those who knew her. Tributes from her cherished “boy mom group” — including heartfelt words from Lacy Wan and others — painted a vivid picture of the unwavering love that Melissa embodied throughout her life. Her widower’s tribute was eloquently delivered by his mother Cynthia Silvera as he wept openly and sought solace in the embrace of their three boys. Melissa’s memory was described as a comforting beacon of inspiration and enduring love. The void left by her physical absence was acknowledged, and Jolyan, through his mother, expressed his commitment to carrying forward the flames of her love. One particularly resonant quote shared during his tribute encapsulated the essence of Melissa’s character: “Aristotle said, ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit’; this was Melissa.” The funeral provided a space for reflection, shared memories, and a collective expression of gratitude for the time spent in her company. In his homily, Canon Sirrano Kitson pointed out that Jesus taught people that they should seek to express gratitude. He told the congregation that following the will of the way of Jesus requires individuals to follow the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes. “Melissa had a deep faith. She was baptised here in 1981 — I held her in my arms — then as a young, fresh, preacher. When she returned after her studies I was chaplain at the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force). Since being here she would come and see me every month. The office staff knew when she came, everything would stop for two hours… no matter what was happening,” said Kitson. “Melissa had an appetite for excellence — only the best was good enough. She also had a heart of compassion for the poorest, most vulnerable and the voiceless in the society. That was her heart. Even as she stepped from Petrojam [in 2008] and went through various avenues, she remained rooted in her faith. Each month we discussed many issues — I visited her home. I presided at her wedding and baptism of her children,” added Kitson. “A person rooted in the faith of Jesus Christ, as she was initiated into the faith through baptism, she experienced the love and care of Leslene [her mother]. Many would think she was spoiled by her mother… but they should have met her grandparents. Her grandparents were members of this church — they started the process… Leslene continued it. “She was nurtured here. In all the storms and stress of life, it was her spiritual nurturing that strengthened her to face so much. Even the loss of her child, it goes against the natural order,” said Kitson, in reference to Justin Silvera, the couple’s child who was two years old when he reportedly drowned in a pool at their Stony Hill, St Andrew, home. “It was her faith that nurtured her. It was her faith that strengthened her. It was her faith that sustained her. We are invited to invest more of our energies, time, by being nurtured in the faith of Jesus Christ through the practice of the Lord’s Prayer. We too often take life for granted and so many things for granted,” added Kitson as he urged the congregation to “live like Jesus, walk the way of Jesus, and do not be tempted by the waywardness and the glitter and glamour of the world”. Melissa Silvera was found dead in bed in the family’s home on November 10, 2023 from what was initially reported as natural causes. Weeks later a post-mortem revealed that she had been murdered, with three gunshot wounds found in her body. Investigators are yet to reveal if they have determined a motive for her murder, or if they have identified a suspect.

A consultant forensic pathologist who examined the body of national senior women’s footballer Tarania “Plum Plum” Clarke in November 2019 said the then 20-year-old died from “haemorrhage and shock” from a stab wound to the chest which punctured a lung. Clarke, a rising talent in the sporting arena, was stabbed and killed during a reported dispute with her friend Rushelle Foster over a cellular phone about 8:50 pm on October 31, 2019 at Limelight Plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew. A report from the expert read into the records of the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court — where the murder trial is unfolding before Justice Leighton Pusey and a seven-member jury — said Clarke received two stab wounds. It said the first, which was inflicted to the left upper anterior chest, penetrated the underlying tissues and perforated the upper lobe of the left lung. The expert said the second stab to the left mid-anterior abdomen penetrated underlying tissues and ended in the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall. The consultant forensic pathologist said haemorrhaging was seen in the tissue of the stab wound. The report was one of several agreed documents entered into the records of the court on Friday, after which the Crown closed its case. The documents — which included the statement of the cousin who identified the body and the scenes of crime investigator who processed the murder scene — were agreed on by both the defence and prosecution, making it so that the material is accepted without those witnesses taking the stand. On Friday Foster, clad in a white top and red skirt, sat attentively, unmoving except for the characteristic smoothing of her immaculate bobbed haircut with a well-manicured hand. The matter resumes on Monday when Foster’s defence team, comprising attorneys Courtney Rowe and John Jacobs, will begin making their case. When the trial began last Monday an eyewitness, who was the first to take the stand, told the court that on the evening in question there was an argument between the Reggae Girl and the accused. In that argument the witness said Foster accused Clarke of deliberately ignoring her calls. The witness said Clarke responded by saying her phone was acting up and that other individuals were also experiencing difficulties contacting her. The witness said Foster, during the exchange, lunged forward and tried to grab the phone from Clarke, who pushed her hand away. She said Foster, at a point in the scuffle, brandished a knife and stabbed the footballer in her side. The court was told that when Clarke gasped, “Yuh stab mi,” Foster reportedly said, “Mi wi do it again,” and stabbed her a second time. The witness then described for the court the frantic efforts to get help for the footballer, who was pronounced dead at hospital. On Wednesday the investigator who probed the murder said Foster claimed ownership of the murder weapon but said she only had it on her person for “protection, based on where she lived” and had not meant to stab and kill her “close friend”. Under cross-examination by Rowe the sleuth said Foster denied being in an intimate relationship with Clarke, whom she said she knew since 2016.

EMBATTLED National Water Commission (NWC) President Mark Barnett is now facing an uncertain future in the job he has held for more than seven years after Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) agreed with the findings of the Integrity Commission (IC) that he breached the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act and the Building Act on the construction of a housing development he did in conjunction with his wife Annette Francis-Barnett. Barnett has been on administrative leave since October after the IC released its report into allegations of impropriety at the development at 11 Charlemont Drive, Kingston 6. With the release of the DPP’s report on Thursday, minister with responsibility for water Matthew Samuda, in response to questions from the Jamaica Observer, said that he has taken note of the ruling but he was not yet in a position to comment. “The board of the NWC has sought legal advice on the ruling and will meet in short order to discuss the way forward. Barnett was previously sent on administrative leave related to this matter,” said Samuda. “The public will be informed as soon as the board has concluded its meeting,” added Samuda. Barnett was appointed NWC president on August 1, 2015 after serving the company in a number of senior engineering roles. See related stories on Pages 4 and 5.

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Gregory Roberts, the man accused of murdering 15-year-old Shineka Gray in 2017, broke his silence in court on Thursday and, in a brief statement, denied any involvement in the girl’s death. Roberts, who was called to the stand by his attorney Leroy Equiano, made no mention of being present during the killing of the teen when he gave his unsworn statement in the St James Circuit Court. This is consistent with previous testimony provided on December 7 that in a caution statement to the police Roberts had denied being at the scene of the crime. On Thursday, he again pointed the finger at Mario Morrison, his co-accused who pleaded guilty to Gray’s murder in September 2022. Under a plea deal Morrison was sentenced to life in prison a month later. Roberts, who operates a taxi, testified that on the day in question Morrison, who is otherwise known as Speci, called him and asked him to take him somewhere. He said when he went to make the pick-up, three people were present — Morrison, a man, and a woman. According to Roberts, when he indicated to Morrison that he was expecting him to be alone, Morrison replied that, his “friend and his girlfriend are travelling with me”. Roberts said he was paid $2,000 to take the trio to Granville in St James. He said he dropped them off across from a gas station and told them that they could call him when they were ready to leave from that location. “I left right there and I went to my babymother in Mount Salem and from my babymother, I went to [ex-girlfriend’s mother’s] house and from [her] house to [words inaudible]; that’s it,” stated Roberts. Gray, who was a grade 10 student, was found dead three days after being reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.

The defence team for 23-year-old Rushelle Foster — who is being tried for the 2019 killing of national senior women’s footballer Tarania “Plum Plum” Clarke — on Thursday attempted to trash the testimony of the sole eyewitness who has claimed that when the athlete said, “Yuh stab mi,” after getting the first wound Foster reportedly said, “Mi wi do it again,” and gouged her a second time. That eyewitness, who was the first to take the stand in the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court when the trial began on Monday, told the court that on the evening in question there was an argument between the Reggae Girl and the accused. In that argument, the witness said Foster accused Clarke of deliberately ignoring her calls. The witness said Clarke responded by saying her phone was acting up and that other individuals were also experiencing difficulties contacting her. The witness said Foster lunged forward and tried to grab the phone from Clarke, who pushed her hand away. She said Foster then brandished a knife and stabbed the footballer in her side. The court was told that when Clarke gasped, “Yuh stab mi,” Foster reportedly said, “Mi wi do it again,” and stabbed her a second time. The witness then described for the court the frantic efforts to get help for the footballer, who was pronounced dead at hospital. On Thursday, defence attorney Courtney Rowe, continuing his cross-examination, took the police investigator to task over what he said were suspicious omissions and questioned the cop about his failure to mention that he spoke to the witness “in a shop” where other individuals connected to the case were in earshot. “Nowhere in your statement did you mention that you spoke [to the sole eyewitness] while in a shop,” Rowe charged. When the witness replied, “I never mentioned it at all in my statement,” Rowe shot back, “And the reason you never mentioned it in your statement is because it never happened, do you agree or disagree?” “I disagree,” the lawman replied firmly. Rowe further grilled the detective mercilessly about the absence of any reference to the account of the eyewitness in his own statement or in his listing of statements in the preliminary report contained in the file which was handed over to the case registry. The detective, however, maintained that he had mentioned in his statement that he got information from individuals on the scene but “did not specify” what he received from the sole eyewitness to testify for the court. “You are saying she is your sole eyewitness, but you are saying it is not prudent to mention in your statement that you spoke to her?” Rowe asked theatrically. “I spoke to several persons on the plaza, but I did not mention anyone specific,” the cop maintained. When Rowe persisted with, “Did you deliberately leave it out, sir?” the sleuth coolly retorted, “No, it was not deliberately done.” Rowe then proceeded to question the integrity of the statements of the two justices of the peace who gave evidence in the trial this week, accusing the detective who was the scribe of affixing his signature to statements that mirrored each other, describing them as “word for word” and “identical”. He further contended that the statement written by the cop about the incident, as told to him by Foster, omitted key details she spoke about. “I am suggesting to you that what you wrote is a condensed version of what she said to you… after she gave you her version you told her you were going to write a summary of all she said,” Rowe charged. The sleuth, in the meantime, further disagreed with suggestions from the attorney that his client had told him that she and Clarke had been involved in “an intimate relationship”. “She was asked the question but she didn’t answer it,” the cop insisted. His response was the same given by the three other witnesses who took the stand before him in response to the same question by Rowe. He further dismissed suggestions by the attorney that Foster, in giving her statement, had said she did not realise Clarke had been stabbed until after Clarke lifted her shirt. The cop, however, said Foster had told him that after she realised that Clarke was wounded she immediately threw down her knife. Asked if Foster had expressed remorse at the beginning of her statement, the investigator replied, “No… at the end she did.” Clarke, a rising star in the sporting arena, was stabbed and killed during a reported dispute over a cellular phone which Foster has told cops she purchased for the footballer for close to $20,000 at about 8:50 pm on October 31, 2019 at Limelight Plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew. The detective constable, in his evidence on Wednesday, said on the night in question, after leaving the murder scene where he collected the bloodied “three star ratchet knife”, he spoke with Foster at Half-Way-Tree Police Station. He said Foster, upon being addressed by him, said, “Mi nevah mean to stab her, a jus’ mi phone mi did want.” He told the court that when he showed the young woman the knife he had retrieved from the scene and asked her if it belonged to her, she said, “Yes, it is mine. I have it for my protection.” According to the cop, she said she had the knife based on where she lived as she “travels late at night on a dirt track road”, so it was “kept in her bag”. On Thursday, Foster — a study in neatness, clad in a blue and white shirt and blue jeans — sat expressionless throughout the proceedings, at times shaking one leg furiously, one hand loosely across her midsection, or fondling her neatly styled bob hairdo. The prosecution is expected to close its arguments today when the matter resumes at 10:00 am before Supreme Court judge Justice Leighton Pusey and a seven-member jury.

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Pointing to plans to acquire nearby land and expand the heavily used Montego Ba y Comprehensive Health Centre, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is seeking to assure Jamaicans that as the country’s economy improves his Administration will make greater investment in the health-care system. His comments came following a tour of the Type 5 facility located on Payne Street on Monday. The prime minister noted that lands once used by the old Ice Factory will be used for the expansion. It will make up the administrative block and the existing structure will be used solely for medical care. “Minister [of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher] Tufton has just announced that we will be acquiring this property and we will be expanding that Type Five health facility. So, what it means is that the capacity for early intervention in health crisis will be expanded in our primary care,” the prime minister stated. According to Tufton, 67,000 individuals received medical help at the facility last year. There are often complaints about inefficiencies in the health-care system, the condition of State-run facilities and the level of service provided. Holness anticipates that completion of ongoing projects such as refurbishing of Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) and construction of the Adolescent Children’s Hospital in the western city will help address some complaints. “Having fixed the economy, having put it on a better track, we are now taking the dividends of that, the proceeds of that, and we are allocating into the areas that matter to the people: your health care,” he told journalists and onlookers gathered at the clinic on Monday. He stressed that the shortcomings within the health system have existed for years. “Remember, these challenges weren’t created overnight. From I’ve been in politics, it has always been the complaint. From I’ve been serving the people of the country, that has always been the complaint,” said Holness. “What has changed is that for the first time Government can make not just short-term allocations, but we can make massive long-term budget commitments to health,” he added. Holness was, however, quick to highlight that while there are improvements being made, they may take some time to be reflected. “That process will take some time before you actually feel it in the service you receive, but once it is done we would have moved our healthcare from one level to another,” he promised. He said work being done at CRH is in “the final phase of the development” and the “building has been restored to better than its original conditions”. “There will be more modern services offered with more modern facilities. No question, it will be a credit to our health system and certainly for the people in and around this region, they will benefit.” “Right beside it is a brand new facility, the adolescent children hospital which I’m certain will become a regional hospital. It will have advanced specialists and advanced care, so the people of this region, and indeed the entire Jamaica, will benefit significantly from this, a great addition to our health care,” he added. Holness also spoke of other developments planned for other parts of the island. “Later on this month we will be breaking ground for a massive upgrade refurbishing and construction of new buildings at the Spanish Town Hospital, where I was born,” he remarked. “We are going to be building two new Type Five health facilities, one in Portmore and one in Old Harbour and these will be modern facilities,” he added.

Today is the 11th day of 2024. There are 355 days left in the year. TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT 1964: US Surgeon General Luther Terry issues the first government report saying smoking may be hazardous to one’s health. OTHER EVENTS 49 BC: Roman Emperor Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon river and moves his troops into an offensive position in the war against Pompeii. 1569: First lottery in England is drawn in St Paul’s Cathedral under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I. 1866: Ship London is wrecked en route to Australia. Some 231 people die. 1919: Romania annexes Transylvania. 1935: Aviator Amelia Earhart begins a trip from Honolulu to Oakland, California, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean. 1939: Abu Dhabi ruler Sheik Shakhbout signs emirate’s first oil agreement with a British-led consortium. 1943: Britain and United States relinquish extraterritorial rights in China. 1970: In Nigeria, 32-month-old secessionist Biafran regime collapses under onslaughts from Nigerian military. 1972: New state of Bangladesh is recognised by East Germany. 1976: President Rodriguez Lara of Ecuador is ousted in a coup. 1977: France sets off an international uproar by releasing Abu Daoud, a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. 1986: L Douglas Wilder becomes Lt governor of Virginia, making him the first African American sworn in as a Southern state official since the American Civil War. 1990: About 250,000 people demonstrate in favour of independence in Lithuanian capital as Mikhail Gorbachev arrives there to persuade the local Communist Party to retract its decision to break with national party. 1998: An armed gang attacks two villages outside Algiers, Algeria, slaughtering 120 people. 1999: Haiti’s President Rene Preval dissolves Parliament after a 22-month impasse with no working Government. He appoints a premier and a Cabinet by decree. 2001: General Augusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator, enters the Santiago military hospital to undergo neurological and mental tests ordered by a judge seeking to try him on human rights charges. 2005: An anti-corruption judge places Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo’s sister under house arrest for masterminding the mass falsification of petition signatures to register his political party. 2006: Peru’s President Alejandro Toledo issues a sharp rebuke to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for openly supporting a nationalist former military officer running in Lima’s upcoming presidential elections. 2008: Eleven US soldiers are convicted and five officers disciplined in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. 2009: Lawmakers, Muslim groups and the Pakistani public criticise Prince Harry after a British newspaper publishes video footage of him using offensive and racist language. 2010: Yemen’s most influential Islamic cleric, considered an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist by the US, warns that the US-backed fight against the terror group could lead to “foreign occupation” of the country. 2011: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange vows to step up his site’s release of secret documents while he fights extradition to Sweden, as his lawyers argue that sending him to Stockholm could land him in Guantanamo Bay or even on US death row. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS Francesco Parmigianino, Italian artist (1504-1540); Rod Taylor, Australian actor (1930-2015); Jean Chretien, former Canadian prime minister (1934- ); Clarence Clemons, US saxophonist w/rock group Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1942-2011); Kim Coles, US actress (1962- ); Mary J Blige, US singer (1971- ) – AP

CHRISTIANA, Manchester — Some residents here and in surrounding areas are calling for the removal, or relocation, of communal garbage skips to reduce the likelihood of them overflowing and being an eyesore at the entrance of their communities. The communal garbage skips, located along the main road leading to the Manchester north-eastern town of Christiana, have become points of garbage disposal for people travelling from as far away as Trelawny and St Ann. “I want them to move it from there. If it was just people from the community using it, it would be alright. You have people from Trelawny, Spalding, St Ann [and] all over, carry garbage come throw here,” a resident of Chudleigh, who asked not to be named, told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday. An upset resident of Brockery, who also asked not to be named, said litter laws need to be enforced to deal with people who dump garbage around the skips. “Put down we foot. That means as you see a man drop a paper you prosecute him, if him can’t pay the money you give him six months in prison. They put in litter law, but it not being enforced,” said the resident. His neighbours are also concerned that the communal skips are breeding sites for rodents and attract stray dogs. “Rat infestation is one of the major things and then we have an insane person who helps to dismantle the garbage when it’s there. People come from all parts come throw garbage in the skip. You have people with supermarkets who dispose of rotten stuff here. If people have a dead dog this is where they come with it,” one resident charged. “People leaving from all over come to throw in it. It hurts the business people in the community too, because of the stench,” added the resident. In the meantime acting regional manager for Southern Parks and Markets (SPM) Sheldon Smith, while admitting that there are challenges in the timely removal of solid waste from some areas, agreed that the communal skips are problematic. “The garbage tripled during the festive season and that created a backlog on our side, but the communal bins. Those collection points that they put along the roadway. They have exacerbated the problem strongly, because if people were keeping them at their gate in a drum we would reach them much better. We would be going into the communities,” said Smith. SPM, which is a subsidiary of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), is responsible for garbage collection in Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth. Smith said although the skips are cleaned twice daily at times, it is refilled within a short space of time. “…We are going along the highway to be cleaning these things sometimes twice for the day. If we are moving forward and we say we want to move into a developed country and so on, it doesn’t help. That causes more problems than anything else,” added Smith.

MINISTER with responsibility for transport Daryl Vaz is pleading with commuters who use Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses to give him six months to fix the problems bedevilling the system. “I am not interested in how we got here; I have been given the responsibility to fix it and I know that I have the support of the Cabinet. I know that based on the meetings with the Ministry of Finance… that I will soon have more buses on the road. “I am appealing for the understanding of the travelling public to give me six months. Despite how many decades, years, the transportation system, especially the JUTC, has not run at its optimum, I am appealing to the public,” Vaz told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday following a tour of the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre on Monday. “I will be continuing to go there on a biweekly basis and I will be insisting, until the new buses come, that we do all we can to make the process easier for commuters,” added Vaz. During his tour of the transport centre Vaz saw the frustration which commuters face waiting long hours for buses in the Corporate Area and the shortage of buses on some routes. “It makes no sense blaming anybody. The responsibility is mine and the team that I am gathered here with, and therefore I have to take it and deal with it,” said Vaz, who rode a JUTC bus as a commuter. “I asked the commuters today on the bus that I travelled [on] to give me six months… the bottom line is, I understand the urgency; I hear and feel the frustration of the old, the young, the female, mother, grandmother, everybody who was on that bus today… and as I said before, I understand. “Today was an eye-opener for me — the half-an-hour that I spent in the bus, I experienced what I needed to experience, and that is going to give me even more of the commitment and the urgency to make changes and to get the buses that are required here so that people can travel in an efficient, comfortable, safe environment. That is the least that a Government and a country can do for its taxpayers,” added Vaz. He was accompanied by JUTC Managing Director Paul Abrahams; chairman of the Transport Authority Owen Ellington; managing director of the Transport Authority Ralston Smith; as well as officials from the JUTC and Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport. Vaz reiterated his commitment to getting 100 of the 300 buses being procured as soon as June 2024 and no later than September to help ease what he described as the “misery index”. He further gave his commitment, to people who depend on the JUTC that the service provided in the sector will be improved. “Six months will be the start of the transition and transformation of the JUTC with 100 new buses and 200 more to come. So, between 2024 and 2026 we will have 300 new buses, at minimum, because that still is not optimum. Five hundred is my target, but you know the fiscal constraints. However, I know for sure that I have the full support of Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, the prime minister [Andrew Holness], and my Cabinet colleagues to give me the tools, which is the funding to buy the buses, and I will deal with the rest, which is the administration and logistics,” said Vaz, whilst declaring that he was a man of his word. According to Vaz, the almost $10 billion which is to be allocated to purchase the 300 new buses reflects the seriousness which the Administration places on fixing the JUTC. He added that, as an immediate measure, his ministry has given approval for the JUTC to use the emergency procurement process to rehabilitate buses that are to be dispatched on its hill routes. These are buses within the company’s fleet that were specially ordered to operate in the hilly areas and are currently out of service while awaiting spare parts. According to Vaz, the refurbished units will boost the fleet of specialised buses that are used to ply routes that take passengers into the hilly areas of rural St Andrew. These include routes 52 — downtown Kingston to Temple Hall; 53 — Half-Way-Tree to Above Rocks; 53a Express — downtown Kingston to Above Rocks; and 54 — Half-Way-Tree to Border. The measure is intended to be a short-term solution to ease the long wait times by commuters for buses, particularly during peak hours. Vaz, who travelled on a number 53 bus and interacted with the passengers, hearing their concerns, explained that while the JUTC officials can redirect buses to alleviate lengthy wait times, this is not an option for the hill routes, as the regular buses are not suitable for those areas. The minister’s tour of the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre was to observe activities following the implementation of the reduction in bus fares on January 1. With the reduced fares adults now pay $70 on JUTC buses, down from $100; while children pay $25, down from $30; and pensioners pay $30 instead of $40. Come April 1, commuters will see a further reduction in the regular fare from $70 to $50 for adults. Fares for children will be further reduced from $25 to $20, and pensioners’ rates from $30 to $25.

The lead investigator in the Everton “Beachy Stout” McDonald and Oscar Barnes murder trial revealed on Tuesday that no records were made in any station diary or storeroom register at the police’s Major Investigations Division (MID) offices in Kingston regarding a cellular phone which allegedly taped more than 100 controversial phone conversations between McDonald and another man. Two of five attorneys representing McDonald in the trial in the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston, fired some tough questions at the investigator, who is a detective sergeant assigned to the MID. Attorney, John Jacobs was first to start the ball rolling on Tuesday when the trial resumed following the Christmas break. Jacobs tackled the detective, telling him that the reason no record was made in an official station diary of a Samsung cellular phone was because it did not exist. The cop responded, telling Jacobs, that his claim that the phone never existed was not accurate. “At MID, I usually use the station diary, the storeroom register and the exhibit register. The storeroom is used to store items while the exhibit register is used to record items in custody that are potential exhibits. Based on the risk assessment and the sensitive nature, nothing was logged in relation to the phone. When we go on scenes and seize items, we usually record the things that are found, but nothing was logged in respect of this,” the lead investigator said, telling the seven-member jury, Judge Chester Stamp, defence attorneys and others in the courtroom that he received that directive from his supervisor who had instructed that no records should be made of the phone in any log book. “Recording in diaries is usually best practice. These are sensitive information and based on the risk assessment and the sensitivity of the investigations, those instructions were given. This was for the safety of the members of MID and to protect the integrity of the exhibits. It was also done to control the information. I recorded information about the case in my notebook, and that was the only place information about the phone was recorded. The phone existed before the trial started but I only mentioned it in a statement when the trial started and I had completed my investigation in this matter,” the cop added. The other man who is said to be on the recordings with McDonald is Denvalyn “Bubbla” Minott, who is currently serving a 19-year and 10-month prison sentence for being the contractor in the July 20, 2020 murder of Tonia McDonald in Portland. Tonia, who was McDonald’s second wife, was found lifeless on the main road in Sherwood Forest, Portland. She was found beside a razed Toyota Axio motorcar which she was driving on the day of the murder. Her body was partially burnt, had multiple stab wounds and her throat slashed. Bubbla, the confessed contractor, alleged that he was hired by Beachy Stout for a sum of $3 million to kill Tonia, who was suspected of entertaining multiple men in sexual relationships, which allegedly did not sit well with the businessman who was concerned that his reputation was being tarnished by his wife. Minott, who turned prosecution witness, alleged that after the $3-million offer was made to him, he sub-contracted the murder to Oscar Barnes, who he claimed was the one who actually killed Tonia. According to Minott, neither he nor Barnes received any of the money that was allegedly promised. During his testimony earlier in the trial in 2023, Minott said that after the murder he pressed Beachy Stout for the money, but the businessman allegedly asked him if he thought that it was so easy to come by $3 million. Minott told the court that he acquired a Samsung A31 cellular phone with a memory card in it and said that after a call conversation with Beachy Stout, he went into the phone and found an audio file. He told the court that when he played it, it was the same conversation he had just had with Beachy Stout that was recorded. He told the court during his testimony that although he is illiterate, he subsequently managed to record more than 120 conversations with the businessman and saved them under the file name Vybz Kartel so if the device was found, people would believe it was music from the incarcerated Dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel. Minott also told the court that he secured the phone and the recordings with a passcode that he selected. On Tuesday, Jacobs quizzed the detective about a question and answer session he had with Minott about the phone and why at no point in that session was any mention made about the phone, even though the cop said the phone was in the possession of the police when the question and answer session was being conducted. The cop had a challenge recalling the exact date when he said he received the phone. “When I was questioning Mr Minott, I knew about the phone already. I had the phone in my possession on August 3, 2020 and I was told things about the phone by a colleague. In the 125 questions, nowhere in the document did I ask him anything about a blue phone,” the cop said. He told the court, too, that he had no idea if the phone was tampered with. He said from what he could recall, Minot used his thumb print to unlock the phone. However, when Minott was on the witness stand last year he told the court that he locked the phone using passcode 3456. Jacobs put it to the detective that there was indeed a passcode for phone. The cop responded saying, “It is possible, but I didn’t see him use a password. Between August 3, 2020 and October 8, 2020, Minott had only one interaction with the phone which was already in the custody of a detective constable. I did not create a password for any phone, not even my phone, and I don’t know if

With an increasing number of Jamaican overseas farm work programme employees ‘running off’, sometimes before even stepping onto a farm, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr is appealing to Members of Parliament (MPs) to dissuade their constituents from engaging in this practice due to its deleterious impact. Charles Jr made the appeal because MPs have great influence in their official role in the pre-selection process of workers for the programme. He said that workers going absent without official leave (AWOL) is the primary complaint, specifically from Canadian employers, and warned that if this continues it could put the entire Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme in jeopardy. “What we are seeing is an increase in numbers, and that is something which I am calling on MPs to make sure that you have this conversation with your constituents [that] when we have our Jamaicans go on the programme and run off, or the [unsavoury] attitude or the conduct, it closes the door for hundreds,” he said. Charles Jr, who was speaking at a sensitisation session for MPs about the programme at Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Tuesday, lamented that there are instances when employees will disembark the aeroplane and never reach the farm, or they may stay on the farm for one or two weeks then run off. He said that if a stop is not put to this practice, employers will recruit people outside of Jamaica. “One disgruntled employer can be in charge of 800 spaces for Jamaican workers and if a disgruntled employer is facing the consistent challenge of workers coming up and running off… then they will look towards alternatives to fill positions,” he said. “This programme started with Jamaica and Canada only, but it is no longer Jamaica and Canada only; it is a competitive process now and there are options available, alternatives. We want Jamaicans to be able to fill those positions. We want Jamaicans to have that opportunity. It is our responsibility to make sure that as we recruit, as we guide, as we orient, we ensure that it resonates that if you do this, you are going to impact [the opportunities of] your cousin, your friend, your brother, your sister, and others to come,” the minister said. He said that based on the statistical data coming out of a study on AWOL activities, the opportunities for Jamaicans are lessening when they should be expanding. “This is an issue of great concern. I am calling on our stakeholders, in particular our MPs, to make sure that in your recruitment you are looking on the patterns, [but] to ensure that you, in no way, engage in discrimination,” he said. He cautioned that while a large portion of people who go AWOL are under a particular age and form a particular pattern, that same person who is under 25 “ends up being the most excellent worker”. He said that the analysis of the AWOL study, completed in July 2023, “shows that we have some work to do”, but insisted that he “won’t shy away from it… we have to confront it”. Charles Jr said that based on his discussions with Canadian employers, whom he met with in October last year, if the programme is to continue it is going to require collaboration with all stakeholders “and we are going to have to make sure we are firm in facing the facts”. “It is my intention that, in being transparent, it will stimulate us to take the action to orient the persons and to recruit in a more deliberate way,” he said, noting that the media also has a role in assisting the Government in communicating with Jamaican overseas workers. Charles Jr assured that the Jamaican Government has committed to its partners that it will have a more robust orientation programme locally “so that any worker coming out of [Jamaica] will know exactly what they are going to confront. That way, when you go there, you will not have this distance between your expectation and the reality”. He said that subsequent to his visit to Canada in October last year the recommendations from the fact finding team established by former Labour Minister Karl Samuda were looked into and key actions were identified for immediate follow-up. Among them, he said, is a re-engagement with employers to reaffirm Jamaica’s commitment to the protection and strengthening of the programme, and to assure them that action will be taken to assist them in terms of the improvement of workers’ attitudes and preparedness for employment. The Government also promised the introduction of a more rigorous recruitment and selection process, such as the MP sensitisation and the implementation of a more robust orientation process which has already started. Charles Jr said he initiated the sensitisation session to address concerns related to the suitability of candidates on the programme. The objective, he said, is to sensitise MPs about the challenges faced by the programme, emphasising the urgency of addressing these concerns; to work together in improving the quality of workers sent to the United States and Canada; and to strengthen and grow the programme, ensuring viable employment opportunities for a larger number of Jamaicans. He said that this proactive approach will help maintain the programme’s relevance in the international job market.

A sotto voce remark by Kingston Mayor Senator Delroy Williams that Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) would be the last before local government elections has sparked speculation among councillors that the poll will be held on February 29. How the councillors arrived at the date is still puzzling, but Mayor Williams’ benediction-like closing remarks, as well as the fact the council meets on the second Tuesday of each month, fuelled the speculation even more. “We wish you all the best and we wish for your re-election. I know you are very decent campaigners, so welcome to the camaraderie and the high level of decency involved in the campaign activities. But if I don’t get that opportunity to do it again because the election is called, I take the opportunity to say to you all, all the best,” Williams told the meeting at KSAMC building on Church Street, downtown Kingston. Local government elections, which are constitutionally due every four years, were last held in November 2016. They were due to be held in November 2020 but were postponed as the country was still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was notwithstanding the fact that a general election was held two months earlier, in September that year. In February last year, legislators in both Houses of Parliament put through the Representation of the People (Postponement of Elections to Municipal Corporation and City Municipalities) Act, 2023, which postponed the election until February 2024, to allow further time for continued public consultation on draft legislation to enable Portmore to become Jamaica’s 15th parish. Last August, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, responding to queries from the Jamaica Observer at a press conference at his office, intimated that only an unexpected external event could prevent the holding of the election in February 2024. Under the Representation of the People Act, nomination day must be scheduled a minimum of five days and a maximum of seven days after the announcement of an election. Additionally, there must be a minimum of 16 days and a maximum of 23 days between nomination and election days. At the end of Tuesday’s hour-long meeting of the council, Mayor Williams met with journalists and told them that the Jamaica Labour Party’s focus is to get the municipal poll out of the way. “…then we can move on to continue our vision for the transformation of Kingston. Our vision has been very clear, and we have been pursuing that path for the transformation of Kingston and the repartitioning of Kingston into a destination or a tourism city,” Williams said. “We have been pursuing that task, and although it is not going at the pace I would have liked we are still making significant progress towards this and we will continue to pursue that massive infrastructure that we believe is necessary as we go along the path,” he said.

HEAD of the judiciary, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, says among the issues hobbling the juror selection process is the “proliferation of gated communities in Kingston and across the island”. Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for 12 members of the judiciary as Judges of Appeal, Puisne Judges and Masters-in–Chambers at King’s House in St Andrew on Monday morning, Justice Sykes said such developments are presenting a challenge to the police in getting into these communities to serve the documents on the requisite persons. “So all of those things combined result in small numbers of persons turning up as jurors. And then when you go along the north coast — let’s say from St Mary going down to Hanover — you have a number of hotels, you have financial institutions, so that would tend to suggest that you have managers, supervisors, persons within financial institutions, [yet] when you look at the jury pool you hardly see any of these persons appearing in the courts as jurors and so the jury service tends to fall, disproportionately I think, on persons who can least afford it,” Justice Sykes said. Jurors currently receive a $2,000 per day stipend. That stipend has not been increased for almost 10 years. In reinforcing the point which he raised weeks ago Justice Sykes stressed, “It is not an intelligence question now, it is just a simple fact that many of the persons who turn up for jury service simply don’t have the economic means to serve as jurors because, in essence, they have to fund their travels and bear the expenses — and under the present system only those who are selected as jurors receive a stipend at the end.” In noting that individuals who travel for great lengths and are not empanelled have to bear their own costs, the chief justice said a significant number of jurors do not have bank accounts or accounts with financial institutions, making it so that their meagre stipend is further depleted in paying bank fees for cashing their cheques. “So the small sum they get for juror service — and they are only paid for the days when they are actually sitting — so, unsurprisingly, when all this news gets back into the communities I don’t think there will be many enthusiastic persons willing to turn up as jurors,” Justice Sykes noted. According to the chief justice, who in the past has called for the elimination of the juror system, if the authorities intend to retain this sytem then there has to be improvement. “We have to revisit how we manage the juror system; if we are going to keep it we have to do significantly better than we are doing. Just starting with the simple thing of accommodation for the persons. They come and they serve in very difficult and uncomfortable circumstances: standing under trees outside, and if the rain falls then that presents its own challenges. The rooms they are asked to retire to, to deliberate, are oftentimes cramped and uncomfortable so if we are going to retain the jury system we need to treat out citizens much better,” he said. Jury trials resumed in April 2022 after being suspended from March 2020 when Jamaica recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus. Jurors are chosen from all parishes and the number selected varies, largely dependent on the case count before the Circuit Court. Jurors are not summoned for specific cases but are called for a particular period and placed in a pool from which they are then empanelled for different cases, after orientation. The Jury Duty Act stipulates who qualifies to serve. Any Jamaican living in the country between the ages of 18 and 69 and who has a Tax Registration Number (TRN) or is registered to vote can be selected for jury duty. The Court Administration Division (CAD) is responsible for issuing summonses to people for jury duty. Summonses are issued to the police for distribution to selected citizens who are expected to report to the court specified on the date stipulated. Failing to turn up for jury duty when summoned can result in a fine not exceeding $10,000. Last April, reports from the CAD indicated low juror turnout, specifically in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St James, Clarendon, and St Catherine.

Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Leighton Johnson says he is relieved that there is now an agreement in place on some outstanding allowances left hanging when the new compensation package for teachers was signed last year. “There is always some amount of relief on the basis that these matters have been settled. From inception, we from the JTA maintained our position that what was agreed to was not what was implemented,” Johnson told the Jamaica Observer on Monday. He noted that what was offered during negotiations, which culminated in December, had to do with the implementation of teachers’ graduate allowance as well as the remote inducement allowance being calculated on the current salary scale. “We fought for that [the increased payments] and we are now in receipt of that,” said Johnson. “So, from our insistence, I’m really happy that the Government has seen the error and has taken immediate steps to correcting those errors to ensure as best as possible, our teachers get at this point, what it is that we agreed to,” he added as he insisted that the JTA tried to get the best deal from the compensation review process. In a release on Sunday evening, Johnson explained that the graduate allowance and the remote inducement allowance were not applied to the salaries of teachers who fell into those categories arising from the compensation review. “After much deliberation, and with the insistence of the JTA, the Government has now agreed with our position as follows: one increment to be given to each individual with a master’s degree as at April 1, 2022; two increments to be given to each individual with a doctoral degree as at April 1, 2022; persons in receipt of the remote inducement allowance as at April 1, 2022 will have the allowance calculated as per the new salary scale arising from the conclusion of the compensation review process,” he said. In terms of the implementation schedule, Johnson said the new salary is to be paid April 2024 and that retroactive amounts for the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024 should be paid in two instalments — 60 per cent in August 2024 and the remaining 40 per cent in December 2024. “The Jamaica Teachers’ Association wishes to assure its members that we will be proactive and vigilant in ensuring that the calculations are accurately computed. To this end, we will work closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to ensure that all parties agree on the amounts to be paid prior to the April 2024 implementation date and the subsequent retroactive payments due in August and December 2024,” Johnson said in the release. Johnson told the Observer that for the other matters outstanding concerning automatic increment and mileage, the JTA will continue to monitor those events, “and from the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions’ position, we will continue to monitor the progress of those two items”.

NATIONAL Baking Company Chairman Gary “Butch” Hendrickson on Monday outlined plans for his company’s $6.7-billion, state-of the-art bakery at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, saying that it will be equipped with advanced technology rivalling any similar factory on Earth and create employment for at least 75 highly skilled Jamaicans initially. The plant, Hendrickson said, will also improve efficiency and open new opportunities for the company to meet the demands of its growing international markets. “To build at Catherine Hall is a logical choice. This was driven, firstly, by the need to satisfy a growing demand, so our $6.7-billion investment will have the capacity to produce over 3,600 loaves an hour. It’s going to be a fast plant, it’s going to be a very efficient plant,” Hendrickson told a room full of the country’s business and political leaders, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding at Hilton Rose Hall hotel in Montego Bay. “It is intended that this will be as modern a facility and technically as advanced as anything on planet Earth,” Hendrickson said, explaining that the 120,000-square foot plant will utilise computer-aided equipment controlled by advanced software that will handle the more laborious tasks in the baking business. “We’ll incorporate the use of robotics for the first time in our businesses and these will go into our repetitive processes that human beings just can’t do anymore. This will allow our management to focus on quality, plant efficiency and, most important, the well-being of our team,” added Hendrickson. The candidates for the 75 jobs that will be created at the start-up will undergo extensive training in processes and equipment operation, Hendrickson explained. “The selection process will be extremely rigorous, and it has to be for what we are aiming; we are aiming to open an FDA (US Food and Drug Administration)-approved plant on day one. We are going to meet every standard, and it is our intention to keep and exceed it,” he said. “This facility is a higher step for us as we work for a brighter future for our customers, our staff, and, indeed, Jamaica. It continues our tradition of constant growth and it’s a new mile marker for us,” Hendrickson added. He also said that the new factory, for which ground has already been broken with construction projected to be completed by late 2025, will stimulate regional growth and efficiency to distribute in St James, Trelawny, St Ann, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth. “This is part of our ongoing commitment to delivering fresh product to these areas in as short a time as possible, and in our business hours matter,” Hendrickson said, adding that the plant will also enhance National’s capability to export from Montego Freeport to meet the demands of its growing market overseas. “We’ve survived in business for 71 years due to the trust our customers place in us consistently and reliably producing and delivering the finest products. We’ve worked very hard to keep that faith,” said Hendrickson, who opened his address with a happy 94th birthday wish for his father Karl, who was in the audience. Prime Minister Holness, too, congratulated the elder Hendrickson on his birthday and described him as one of Jamaica’s foremost industrialists. “He has taken, along with his family, a simple but one of the most important manufacturing processes — the creation of bread — and he has turned it into a major industry in Jamaica,” Holness said. “When you consider all the industries you have added, whether in manufacturing, tourism, or agriculture, the Hendrickson name stands tall, and so all Jamaica owes you a debt of gratitude. So I am here, Karl, to celebrate your birthday. Ninety-four years is significant in the life of anything… you have lived it well and your years have been productive years,” the prime minister said. He commended the company for its philosophy of placing the needs of its consumers and workers first, pointing out that Jamaica’s biggest asset is its people “and our people create value cumulatively, which we describe as the brand”. “We haven’t been doing as much as we should in leveraging the value of the brand, and sometimes I’m convinced that there are some Jamaicans who are working overtime to destroy the brand. But, thankfully, we have more Jamaicans who add value every single day to Brand Jamaica.” Holness also noted the company’s intention to integrate technology in the new plant, saying that the quality of the workforce that it will need to provide technical skills will translate into higher-paid jobs. The creation of more economic opportunities like those, he argued, will contribute to the realisation of his Administration’s theme of “peace, productivity [and] prosperity” for 2024. “It may sound wishful, but I think we all want peace in our land. The more peace we have, the more productive we will be, and the more productive we are, the greater our prosperity. “So this is the year when we will have a virtuous cycle, but it is something that we have to work towards; we have to be deliberate and instrumental in this,” Holness said.

PRIME Minister Andrew Holness is to put before the Cabinet, at its next meeting, a set of initial proposals and recommendations towards an institutional architecture to deal with crime and violence. “The objective is to create a comprehensive, all-of-society enterprise to engineer a social and cultural transformation of the Jamaican society and culture away from crime and violence. We are seeking to bring about a cultural revolution in Jamaica. I am confident we can make Jamaica a kinder, gentler, fairer, prosperous, and peaceful society,” Holness told the Jamaica Observer. “This year the Government will increase its focus on tackling violence as a public health concern. The social normalisation and increasing propensity to use violence requires a broader response beyond law [enforcement]. “It requires focus beyond the symptoms which manifest as crime and violence, to a far deeper analysis of the social, cultural, and historical factors that drive aggression, hate, lack of respect for authority, low socio-emotional regulation, antisocial behaviours, and a lack of value for the inviolability of the person and the sanctity of life,” declared Holness. He added: “An important part of the of the response to crime and violence, in addition to the more policing and stronger laws approach, must be the engagement of critical social, emotional, and psychological services and support for the victims, perpetrators, loved ones (those emotionally connected to the victim and the perpetrator), and the witnesses (those who were not directly the target of the violence but who observed it, often times children).” The prime minister underscored that in 2023 Jamaica recorded its lowest level of crime in more than 22 years, down by 10.7 per cent when compared to 2022, with murders down 7.8 per cent; shootings down approximately six per cent; and rape, robbery, and break-ins down between 12 and 17 per cent. But Holness accepted that despite the decline in the numbers some Jamaicans say that the levels crime and violence feel distinctly high. “This paradox is not inexplicable. The gruesome nature of violent crimes is immediately displayed before us in graphic details for our unfiltered consumption in the age of social media. It is not unreasonable to assume this could influence perceptions. “However, of greater concern is that as overall major crimes decline, murders and shootings are declining at slower rates and therefore making up an increasing portion of overall crimes. In 2016 murders were 23 per cent of all crimes, now it accounts for 31 per cent of all crimes though murder itself declined this year,” Holness told the Observer as he reiterated his concern about the increase in domestic violence while vowing to continue to go after the gangsters who have long fuelled Jamaica’s murder rate. “Gang-related murders are trending down from 72 per cent of all murders in 2021 to now [be at] 67 per cent. This trend will likely continue as we intensify our efforts against the gangs. “There may be a sense in some quarters of our country that the gangs are [a] street-level problem. While there are some low-level criminal organisations, there are several sophisticated operations whose business is to organise violence in pursuit of criminal enterprise. They pose a threat, not only to citizens in communities but to the security of the State as well when they compromise our financial and banking systems, our customs and border, and our law enforcement, and approvals and permitting systems. “We will not relent in going after all the gangs in Jamaica — and more resources will be placed at the disposal of the police and justice system to address the threat,” said Holness as he noted that murders related to interpersonal conflict have increased from 17 per cent in 2021 to 20 per cent in 2023. In commending the men and women of the security forces for the great effort they continue to make in keeping our country safe Holness said government policies — through legislation, budgetary allocations, strategic programmes and intervention, and tactical operations — are having a positive impact overall. “In 2024 the Government will continue to review our legislative framework to ensure that the system of penalties match the severity and prevalence of the crimes, as well as increase the deterrent effect. No doubt a significant portion of our crime is spontaneous, however by the nature of major crimes there would be some deliberate and premediated intention for which the criminal mind must consider the consequences of their action beforehand. “Stronger laws and penalties, coupled with improved policing through intelligence, investigations, and prosecution, will change the risk/reward environment for criminals in Jamaica,” stated Holness.

MEMBER of Parliament for St Catherine Southern Fitz Jackson is cautioning the Government over its plan to give the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) the powers of a political ombudsman. Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck recently told the Jamaica Observer that he is trying to fast-track the legislation to give political referee power to the ECJ, while ensuring that it has more teeth than in the past when the political ombudsman had no power to punish those who broke the rules. “The Political Ombudsman Act, we want to adjust it to say that its functions will be carried out by the Electoral Commission, firstly, and secondly we just want to say that there will be enforcement where penalties can be imposed — from apology to suspension — and… with the Electoral Commission [having even more power],” said Chuck. But a concerned Jackson told the Observer that it would be foolhardy for the Government to tinker with the ECJ which has served the country so well over the past 40 plus years. “First, I want to make it clear that having a political ombudsman has my full support, and it has full support of the People’s National Party that I have been a part of for many years,” said Jackson who, on Saturday, was named to the Opposition’s new shadow Cabinet as a member without portfolio with special responsibility for affairs concerning Portmore. Jackson pointed out that the ECJ was formed in an attempt to end the political tribalism, violence, bloodshed, and deaths which occurred in the mid-1970s leading up to the 1980 General Election. “Out of the wisdom of the leadership of both political parties the ECJ was created; this essentially removed the conduct of elections from each incumbent government. In the past, the incumbent governments appointed and supervised the conduct of elections and all related matters, including political boundaries of constituencies and parish council divisions. “The political leadership at the time said, ‘No, we have seen the consequences of that,’…and the ECJ was created. In its present form the structure of the ECJ and its modus operandi enjoy the full support and cooperation of both political parties — and we have reaped the benefits of that for over 43 years. “The ECJ is perhaps one of our most outstanding political achievements. Forty-odd years with all the local level and the parliamentary level elections that have been held, neither political party has challenged the results because of how fair they have been managed by the ECJ,” added Jackson. “We have to preserve that institution, we have to strengthen it, and we have to make sure that we don’t do any tinkering that can possibly compromise it. That must be treated as sacred,” he argued. According to Jackson, for the Government to now unilaterally impose the work of the political ombudsman on the ECJ should be of grave concern to all Jamaicans, even if the decision is well-intentioned. The matter, he said, needs to be discussed at all levels of the society before any decision is made. “It is a proposal that is being rushed through — and that is unacceptable,” said Jackson even as he admitted that with a local government election looming the country needs to have a mechanism in place to settle political disputes. But Jackson was adamant that the time line proposed by Chuck is not practical and urged the Andrew Holness-led Administration not to go that route. “Let us, instead, consider some interim arrangement that can be instituted going into the local government election — expected within a matter of weeks — but don’t structurally adjust the ECJ in the way proposed by Minister Chuck without thorough examination and consultation with more than the two political parties by including civil society and other groups,” urged Jackson. “We could, perhaps in the interim, between the leaders of both parties, agree on an interim referee — not a permanently appointed ombudsman but somebody to function in the fashion…to take us through the next election. It is something that requires some thinking, and that is the reason why I say let us open it up and engage more people who can lend their thoughts to it and we come up with something that is acceptable. “The Government has a super majority in Parliament, and it can use that to pass the legislation, but I believe to act in that way would be an abuse of that authority,” added Jackson.