ROBINSON CALLS MOON PALACE FIRE A SETBACK—03/28/15
Shahine Robinson, the Jamaica Labor Party Member of Parliament representing the area in which the Moon Palace Hotel is located, believes the fire has presented investors with a negative image of Jamaica. Robinson called the fire “regrettable” and hopes that communications between contractors and workers improves to provide a better message for potential investors.
JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT HELPING LAND ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM CLIENTS—03/29/15
Clients of the Land Administration and Management Program (LAMP) are being encouraged by the government to take advantage of the J$90 million in grants designed to help them complete the process leading to the acquisition of land titles. A Memorandum of Understand (MoU) is facilitating the funding in partnership with the Development Bank of Jamaica. According to Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister Robert Pickersgill, those who began the title process but stopped due to inability to pay will be benefitted by the grant monies.
SIZZLA JAILED AFTER CURSING DURING A PERFORMANCE —03/30/15
The dancehall artiste Sizzla Kolanji, who real name is Miguel Collins, was charged by police in Falmouth after using bad language during his performance at the Falmouth Police Station. He was invited to provide entertainment there at an event organized by a community outreach unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. When his opening sentence involved berating the police, he was escorted from the stage and charged.
PRIME MINISTER TO DISCUSS GARVEY ISSUE WITH OBAMA—03/31/15
As part of her talks with United States President Barack Obama, Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica, plans to discuss the fact that Marcus Garvey, the country’s first national hero, is listed in U.S. criminal records. Speaking to Jamaicans in the Diaspora New York and praising them for their support of the home island, she noted Jamaica’s role as advocate of the construction of a permanent memorial at the United Nations to honor victims of slavery and slave trade.
AFTER RIVERTON FIRE, UN ENVIRONMENT CONGRESS OPENS IN JAMAICA—04/01/15
A congress from the United Nations (UN) on environmental law is being held soon after the Riverton fire at the dump in St. Andrew initiated a national environmental emergency. The Inter-American Congress on Environmental Rule of Law includes participation by Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate change.
“SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE” THROWN AT U.S. EMBASSY—04/02/15
The United States Embassy in Kingston was surrounded by Jamaican soldiers and police after a man threw a suspicious package over the Embassy wall. There was serious concern because of the impending visit of the U.S. President Barack Obama, who is scheduled to visit Jamaica on April 8, 2015. The Embassy was closed for several hours, and the man who threw the package was taken into police custody. The man’s name and what the package contained were not disclosed.
JPS FAILS IN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER OVER $4 BILLION IN EMPLOYEE SALARIES—04/03/15
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) was unsuccessful in a bid to recover $4.27 billion in salaries for its workers resulting from a reclassification exercise. JPS sought remedy in the courts following a rejection of its claim for an increase in the price cap that was handed down by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).
INDIVIDUALS NOMINATED FOR ELECTION TO POSITION OF COLONEL IN ACCOMPONG—04/03/15
In St. Elizabeth, four candidates have been nominated for the position of colonel in elections to be held in Accompong Town on April 8, 2015. Several senior members of the Maroon community there are competing for the leadership position. The candidates are Meredie Rowe, Elizabeth Campbell, Norma Edwards, and outgoing Colonel Ferron Williams.
