CHAIRMAN of Food For the Poor (FFP) Andrew Mahfood has defended the quality of the houses the charity organisation is providing to destitute Jamaicans under its five-year joint agreement with the Jamaican Government.

“The house is a 320-square foot two-bedroom home, with a bathroom, a kitchen, a water tank, a septic tank, solar lighting, and all of that is free. It’s a blessing for somebody to receive a home for free, with what I just described. Yes, there may be some imperfections, but it’s something that we take pride in, delivering a quality home to a recipient who pays nothing. To get a home for $900,000 as a gift; I don’t even see how quality can be an issue in the discussion. We are talking about bathroom, shower, for people who have never had that in their lives,” Mahfood told the Jamaica Observer yesterday, while stressing that FFP hopes to continue the partnership with the Government when the current agreement ends in August this year.

Mahfood was responding to yesterday’s discussions at the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee of Parliament where some MPs were critical of the quality of the wooden houses being built under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), which has now been replaced by the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme.

The MPs stressed that they were not seeking to discredit FFP, but said they were concerned about value for money, especially in light of an anticipated US$800 increase which the organisation is requesting. This would move the cost per unit from US$6,800 to US$7,200, half of which is borne by the Government.

“I can build any one of those units in my constituency for half the price of what is quoted. My preference would be for those allocations to be given directly to the MP who can use local labour to achieve better results. There has to be some exorbitant architectural fees built into that figure…as far as I know these units are standard units, I really don’t understand it,” St Catherine North East MP Leslie Campbell argued.

St Thomas Western MP Dr Fenton Ferguson commented that “Food for the Poor is a good partner (but) the fact that it is a good partner can’t take away our responsibility as parliamentarians to question whether we are getting value for money”.

The MPs said, too, that they were being left out of the process and suggested that the community could be “roped” into the construction process.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/food-for-the-poor-defends-quality-of-houses_99872?profile=1373

The eighth fight in the Wray & Nephew Contender Series is set for tonight at the auditorium Chinese Benevolent Association with Team Jamaica’s Ramel Lewis (left) battling Team Canada’s Ryan Young.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/contender-boxing-clash_99769?profile=1511

Jamaica’s Ramel ‘Sub Zero’ Lewis, will try to earn himself a place in the Wray and Nephew Contender quarter-finals tonight, when he clashes with dangerous Canadian Ryan Young in the eighth and final preliminary bout of the series. The action starts at 8.30 p.m. at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium with two amateur bouts. The main bout, which will be broadcast live by Television Jamaica, will go on at 9.30 p.m.

This encounter promises to be an explosive one -as both men are aggressive and have good knockout records. Young, who is from Ontario, Canada, is a seasoned campaigner, and said yesterday that he has “put in a lot of work for this fight, and my plan is to go all the way.” He has a record of 10 wins and two losses, and eight of his victories have been by knockout or technical knockout.

His two losses came in his last two fights. In November 2016, he lost by technical knockout in Round One, to Phil Rose, who is already in the quarter-finals, following his victory over Jamaican contender Ricardo Planter, and last month, he failed to win the Canada Super Welterweight title when he lost to Kevin Higson by unanimous decision.

Setbacks

Despite these recent setbacks, he is very confident of victory and volunteered that he can “win either at long range or inside”.

Lewis told The Gleaner yesterday, that he has ‘worked hard for the past two months, and my condition is good’.

He has, however, not fought since May 4 last year, when he lost in the Contender competition to Michael Gardener. At 5′ 5″ he will concede a height and reach advantage to Young, who is a six-footer. The indications are that with this advantage, Young will keep at long range and use his boxing skills, and Lewis will therefore have to find ways of getting inside to work the body.

It is a very intriguing match-up, and tactics and punching power will definitely come into play in deciding the winner. Lewis has a 7-5 record with four knockouts, and has shown in the past that he can take out an opponent when the opportunity presents itself. He will, however, have to cope with the boxing skills of Young, and that will make the plot even more interesting.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170524/sub-zero-lewis-faces-tough-test

Annette Higgins is a proud homeowner thanks to CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

The bank recently committed funds to Food For The Poor (FFTP) Jamaica which aims to build 100 houses by year end for Jamaicans desperately in need of shelter. The FFTP annual 5K Run/Walk May 13, 2017, will raise funds for the construction of the houses.

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Managing Director, Nigel Holness said that “the bank recognizes that home ownership is at the top of the bucket list for virtually every adult in Jamaica. While we offer preferential rates and a range of products to assist potential homeowners, we also recognize that there are some persons who cannot take advantage of these due to their dire financial situation. This is why we are partnering with Food For The Poor to provide shelter for the most needy in our society.”

Higgins, a vendor and mother of six, whose fathers are deceased, was elated to be chosen for one of the homes being funded by CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. Amidst tears, she spoke of the challenges of child-rearing as a single parent and how she often despaired that she could not adequately provide for her family. Her appreciation for the house, she said came from “the depth of my spirit”.

Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of Food For The Poor, said that the 100 houses scheduled to be built in 2017 “is a drop in the bucket – we need to build 10,000 homes because there are tens of thousands of Jamaicans on our waiting list.” He has invited persons and organizations interested in contributing of a house to contact Food For The Poor.

Source: Jamaica Observer

 

Though he is a man of little means, Fitzroy Mannings has always been one to help people. Some five years ago, when a woman’s house was burnt down, he offered her and her daughter accommodation in his humble home, not knowing that he would experience the same fate soon.

“It was a Sunday. I was away from the house and I hear one of my friends call me and say me house a burn down. Mi laugh and say a joke. When I come and look, everything just burn and cave in. I leave back with only one suit a clothes,” the Clifton district, St Catherine, resident shared.

He theorised that the woman might have lit a mosquito destroyer in the house, and it overturned, setting the place ablaze, and sending Mannings back to square one.

Since the incident, the 54-year-old Mannings has been living with his ailing mother and eight other family members in a dilapidated structure.

“I find it very hard, enuh. Sometimes we don’t even have food, but it’s through the help of the Most High, and some people who I stick by that I am able to survive,” Mannings said.

He said occasionally he gets work cutting grass to feed horses on a nearby farm, and other times he does any other jobs that come his way. However, he was unable to finance another house with his meagre income.

After learning of his plight, Food for the Poor and Red Stripe partnered to build a two-bedroom house for Mannings yesterday.

FARMING COMMUNITIES

His was the first of 10 houses to be built through the Red Stripe-Food for the Poor partnership. Red Stripe said the beneficiaries live in farming communities that participate in Project Grow, a cassava farming project that will increase the amount of local starch used in the production of Red Stripe’s brewed products.

When our news team visited the area yesterday, Mannings was just sweeping out his new abode.

“Me feeling so very fine because once it wasn’t like this. It was uncomfortable. I’m so very glad within myself. I give great thanks Food For the Poor and Red Stripe. Respect and honour every time,” he said.

Despite the terrible tragedy that befell him when he reached out to assist another, Mannings said he would do it again.

“Me haffi help people because it’s like the Father make me that way,” he said.

Mannings said his house still needs a few items, such as a bed, stove and refrigerator, to make it more homely. Those wishing to assist may contact him at 473-0688.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170524/man%E2%80%99s-house-burns-down-after-helping-fire-victim-good-samaritan-gifted-new

Keith Duncan, co-chairman of the Government’s Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), told residents of Swallowfield in St Andrew that he was determined to lead the charge for the success of the plan of action that hopefully would rescue Jamaica from further economic ruin.

Duncan, who heard residents insisting on a right to be heard in any plan for their community, told them that, like him, they should be committed to making the plan work for the betterment of Jamaica.

“To have oversight means that you hold the Government – any Government – to do what dem supposed to do. And so we are here to make sure that the Jamaican Government is following the economic plan. That is the job of the EPOC. So I, along with my team, decided that I don’t just want stay on TV. I want to come to places like Swallowfield and other communities to take the plan to the people,” Duncan told residents who had come to Annie’s Bar in the community for the second of EPOC’s On the Corner series.

COMMITTED TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Duncan was continuing the EPOC scheme of taking details of its work to residents on street corners across the island. EPOC, which has been accepted by the International Monetary Fund, is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“So we come with the plan so that the people can be engaged around the plan. This plan is reviewed every year. It is the plan. It’s the only plan. It’s Jamaica’s plan. It’s a plan to maintain fiscal responsibility. And I am determined to make this plan work with the team we have. I live here and I work here. So this plan is about how to make Jamaica better – the place is live, work, and raise families,” Duncan implored the gathering.

erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20170522/corner-duncan-determined-lead-epoc-success

Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Co-Chairman Keith Duncan is proposing that the Government analyse the overperformance in tax revenue inflows recorded for the 2016-17 fiscal year to determine the underlying factors driving this outcome.

This, he said, should be done to ensure that this out-turn can be sustained over the long term.

He posited the suggestion while addressing journalists during EPOC’s quarterly media briefing at the Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) Group’s head office in New Kingston last Friday.

Tax revenue inflows last year totalled $458.3 billion to surpass the $440-billion target.

This enabled the administration to generate a primary balance surplus of $135.9 billion.

This was $12.9 billion or 7.7 per cent above the minimum seven per cent target of $123 billion for the period, in keeping with target stipulations under the International Monetary Fund’s precautionary three-year standby agreement.

Additionally, non-borrowed reserves totalled $1.93 billion, to surpass the target of $1.47 billion.

These, along with the containment of the rate of inflation, which came in at 4.1 per cent to be within the target range of two to nine per cent, and further reduction in the unemployment rate, which declined by 0.6 per cent to 12.7 per cent in January relative to the corresponding period in 2016, were among the key fiscal and monetary quantitative performance criteria for 2016-17 under the Government’s IMF-supported economic reform programme.

“So Jamaica, from a quantitative perspective, is performing significantly well; the selected fiscal and monetary indicators have been met and surpassed in a significant way. The tax revenue intakes continue to be strong, where the overperformance was driven by improved compliance, higher levels of company profits, and an increased country wage bill reflective of higher levels of employment,” the EPOC co-chairman stated.

NOT SURPRISING

Duncan said the buoyant revenue inflows were “not surprising”, given recent fiscal developments.

These, he noted, include the shift from direct to indirect taxation; increased macroeconomic stability and economic growth; and increased company profits. He, however, believes there may be other underlying factors.

In this regard, Duncan emphasised that “there needs to be further and deeper analysis done by the Ministry of Finance around these numbers so we really can get to the underlying reasons for the movement and buoyancy so that, hopefully, this can be sustained.”

“We really need to get the handle on it, because we would like to ensure that there is some sustainability to this; because this would help us to create room in our fiscal space going forward,” he added.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170522/epoc-proposes-analysis-tax-revenue-performance

Action during the Wray & Nephew Contender fight seven between Larone Whyte (right) of Team Canada and Jamaica’s Devon Moncriffe on Wednesday, May 17 at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew. Whyte was declared the winner by a split decision.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner – Saturday, May 20, 2017

Larone Whyte, a Team Canada professional boxing rookie in only his third pro fight, surprised journeyman boxer Devon “Concrete” Moncriffe, with a split decision win to propel his team into a 4-3 lead at the penultimate stage of the eight-fight first round of the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender boxing series at Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium Wednesday night.The decision came as a surprise to some after ring announcer Oliver Hardie delivered the verdict in favour of the Canadian. This was after judges Ransford Burton and Jeremy Hayes both scored the bout 48-47 in the winner’s favour, while Keith Brown scored it 49-46 in favour of the vanquished Jamaican.

The fight was close, with some boxing aficionados expressing the view that Moncriffe had done enough to move on to the second stage of the “Best of the Best” Contender quarter-final stage.

Be that as it may, Moncriffe was responsible for his below par showing against the Canadian, who is of Jamaica parentage.

Moncriffe opened in the first round like a thatched house on fire on a windswept plain. But by the latter stages of the third round, 15 months of competitive inactivity causing ring rust began to show on the 40-year-old former Contender winner.

Whyte was also without a fight for 12 months, but at 27, youth was in his favour and he was able sustain while Moncriffe faded.

The fifth and final round was pivotal for both boxers. Moncriffe did very little to help his cause, however, his younger opponent stayed the course, picking his spots to earn the narrow win.

“I am not surprised winning against Moncriffe. I came here prepared for a hard fight. I came prepared to go five rounds, something which I had never done before. So I had to pace myself through rounds and eventually came out on top with a victory. For me, that is a great moral victory”, Larone Whyte said in his post-fight comments.

Next Wednesday, in the final preliminary match, the unseeded Team Jamaica boxer Ramel Lewis, who last fought in last year’s Contender series, will meet Team Canada’s number three seed, John Ryan Wagner.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/whyte-topples-8216-concrete-8217-moncriffe-in-contender-bout_99451?profile=1498

Recognition is often high on the list of what employees want from their employer, but all too often that is not acknowledged by business leaders. However, Rainforest Seafoods Limited, the Caribbean’s largest processor and supplier of premium quality seafood, is leading the way by recognising the efforts of its team members.

Four employees were recently selected as part of the Rainforest Seafood Employee Development Programme which will provide them with exposure to all aspects and areas of the business. The employees are Starlette Francis, retail store manager; Terri-Lee Patterson, quality management system coordinator; Louis Reid, sales representative; and Kevin Ellis, plant maintenance supervisor.

According to Brian Jardim, CEO at Rainforest Seafoods, the employee development programme will allow for the selected employees to have regular interaction with and mentoring from senior members of the management team, and it also gives them the opportunity to represent Rainforest at local and overseas events.

 

Elite Employees

 

“The employees chosen represent the elite core of our business. The programme is an initiative to identify and develop key team members for future senior roles within the company. Each team member will be evaluated regularly by their manager and mentee, and we hope that they will continue to grow from strength to strength,” Jardim said.

All participants will be enrolled in a leadership development programme , and will work together on a group project to be completed and presented to the senior management by the end of September 2017. They will also be scheduled to attend new employee orientation sessions to share their journey and passion.

“I am humbled by the recognition. It has opened the door to so many different things and has given me the impetus to learn more about the business and to improve my prospects within the company,” said Francis. She has been employed to Rainforest Seafoods since 2009.

Rainforest Seafoods offers a comprehensive range of the finest quality products, both frozen and fresh, that meet the demands of not only luxury hotels, but value-conscious consumers, and carries over 400 references of fish and assorted shellfish sourced from recognised suppliers around the world.

Jardim is encouraging other team members to improve their performance level so that they too can be selected for the programme.

The development programme participants are selected based on creativity, innovation, outstanding performance in current assigned roles, interest in advancement and development of their career, among other things.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170519/rainforest-seafoods-recognises-employees