Tag: Jamaica

Good enterprises suffer for the bad

With the Companies (Amendment) Act 2023 which came into being on April 1st of this year, all companies, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are now faced with stricter requirements. They are mandated to ‘appoint an officer who shall be responsible for conducting verification of Beneficial Ownership information’, to confirm the location of such documents and would be liable for fines of up to J$5 million if such arrangements are not put into place.

Attorney-at-Law Camille Facey

Attorney-at-Law Camille Facey of FaceyLaw and Chair of the PSOJ Governance Committee, explained that these amendments “were made in accordance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as Jamaica was in danger of being blacklisted by the FATF. The main revisions relate to the beneficial ownership of companies.”

The FATF comprises 20 countries which, on inspection of countries’ activities in money laundering and terrorist financing, will rate their status. Jamaica is on the FATF ‘grey list’, and we are ‘blacklisted’ by the UK and EU. In order to protect our country’s status, it is said that the amendments were made hurriedly, derived from international legislation and not wholly suited for domestic application. There are now appeals to make further amendments.

Camille Facey shared important points from the current amendments: “Every company must:

•        keep documents relating to members/ beneficial owners for not less than 7 years.

•        notify the Companies Office of where the Register of Members is kept.

•        notify the Registrar of Companies of any changes to the beneficial ownership information, the Register of Members or registered office within 14 days of the change.

•        record the measures taken to verify beneficial ownership information as well as any supporting documents used in the verification process.

The powers of the Registrar have also been expanded to inspect companies and verify beneficial ownership information.”

There have been appeals from MSEs to reduce fines and licensing fees, as these may not only drive them out of business, but also may be a deterrent for the creation of new businesses.

Camille Facey recommends that company officers acquaint themselves with the amended legislation by reading the following on the Companies Office website:

COJ’s Beneficial Ownership Hub: https://www.bohubjamaica.com/

COJ’s Beneficial Ownership Booklet: https://issuu.com/cojadvisory/docs/beneficial_ownership_new_2_

COJ’s Presentation on the Companies (Amendment) Act 2023:

Click to access f4ad2c_5a7575773cd6432f8d28499f85f0b20d.pdf

Many thanks to her for her guidance as she reminds, “there is still liability, whether directors/ officers /employees are not aware; have nothing to do with the collection of information or have taken reasonable steps to ensure compliance.”

Top Marubeni Scholar Rochelle Stephen and fellow Scholar Daniel McGregor (left) in conversation with Mohamed Majeed (2nd right), Managing Director of Caribbean Operations for Marubeni Power International and Damian Obiglio, Senior Vice-President, Marubeni Power International.

Marubeni-UWIDEF Scholars shine

Marubeni Power International in collaboration with the UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF) awarded scholarships to five students pursuing Engineering degrees at the University of the West Indies Mona campus: Brianna Smith, Daniel McGregor, Martin McDonald, Dwight Simpson and top performer Rochelle Stephen.

At last Wednesday’s presentation ceremony, Managing Director of Caribbean Operations for Marubeni Power International Mohamed Majeed praised the exceptional quality displayed by the five recipients. “We commend your accomplishments thus far and anticipate the impact you will undoubtedly have as you progress both academically and in your future careers,” he said.

His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, in his address,

said all Japan stood in support of the development efforts of the Jamaican Government

and people for continued progress. He said he looked forward to many more acts of support for Jamaica’s development both on the part of Marubeni as well as the Government of Japan.

Reynold Scott, Board Director of UWIDEF urged the students to continue to excel, adding that programmes such the scholarship presentation are at the heart of the Fund’s function.

Responding on behalf of the quintet, Rochelle Stephen noted the “life-changing” nature of the scholarship. Rochelle, dressed in black, had lost her mother just a few days after she was notified of her success earlier this year. We wish this brave young lady and her colleagues continued success.

Aloun Assamba in a joyous moment with her son Domonic Strachan.

Farewell ‘Gentle Giant’ Domonic

Women who were not even acquainted with Aloun Ndombet-Assamba poured out their sympathy when they heard that her only child Domonic Strachan had passed away suddenly last month. Those who knew Domonic referred to him as a ‘Gentle Giant’. In a letter of condolence, a fellow parishioner at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Ocho Rios wrote of Domonic’s warm hug, saying: “I felt enveloped with love and care.” Domonic’s friends told his mother that he was their ‘rock’, always there for his friends.

We regarded Domonic as an IT geek, setting up systems for various companies, especially before 2000 when everyone was fearful of the ‘Y2K’ virus. At that time, he was in his early twenties and had not yet attended Miami Dade College where he was a student leader. While Aloun was in the UK, serving as Jamaica’s High Commissioner, her mother became seriously ill and required thrice-weekly dialysis.  Domonic quit his business, as digital connectivity was then limited at the family’s Moneague homestead, and with his aunt Eleanor Wood, assisted in caring for his grandmother.

It was then that he started his journey as an innovative farmer and a central figure in the Moneague farming community where he conducted meetings and shared research findings.  Aloun said he used no chemicals. The wasp nests around the Grierfield Great House played a key role in keeping his crops pest-free. His rainwater harvesting methods supplied the house and the farm where he implemented drip irrigation. He was so passionate about influencing others about farming that his farm tours became popular among CCRP seniors and schoolchildren alike.

Aloun related that during the summer holidays, Domonic was keen on ‘making memories’ for his two young sons. “He always spent quality time with them but this summer he went even further, taking them to camp by a riverside in St. Mary.”

We grieve with Aloun at the passing of her extraordinary son whose achievements belie his short 43 years. May his soul rest in peace.

Memorable events

The beautiful Temple of Light was the venue for their seventh annual “Poetry, Prose & Rhythms in the Garden.” Michael Reckord’s ‘Brief Walk Down Memory Lane’ captured the highlights of the previous events. Hosts Dr. Lilieth Nelson and Hanief Lallo guided us through the rich programme featuring poets Dr Michael Abrahams, Rev Michele Synegal and Neto Coard; amazing cellist Emily Elliott and a band that could play on any big stage, Sebastian Miller and Friends. We were charmed by the little ones, showing off in ‘Playing with Fashions’. It was good to see Professor Edward Baugh and Professor Mervyn Morris, ever supportive of our arts and culture.

Last Friday members of the Chinese Cultural Association (CCA) celebrated the Moon Festival at which guest speaker was Dr. Lei Feng, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, UWI, Mona.  He shared the legend of the Moon Festival and both English and Chinese poetry evoking the romance and mystery of the moon. We were greeted by President Set Yoon Smith, past president and Jamaican Nobel Laureate Professor Anthony Chen, and Secretary Professor Ronald Young. The evening brought back fond memories of late President Dr Kai Meng Lui.

The membership of the CCA comprises Jamaicans of all ethnicities.

Jamaica welcomes Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flight from Kansas City

Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism (first right) greeted passengers who were aboard the flight coming out of Kansas City while Richard Vernon, Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay looked on.

Over 100 passengers and crew arrived in Jamaica last Saturday aboard Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flight from Kansas City, Missouri in the United States to Montego Bay.

The visitors received a warm welcome at the Sangster International Airport from tourism officials, among them was Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, who expressed his appreciation for the new service to the country.

“The excitement of the passengers was amazing. This flight brings to the reality of how connected Jamaica as a destination is in the United States. We cover 18 gateways that connect us to over 100 cities across the US,” Bartlett said.

He added that as Jamaica expands its inventory with 2,000 new rooms, he is confident that Jamaica will welcome three million stopover visitors next year.

Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board Donovan White expressed his optimism for the future of tourism in Jamaica.

“This new flight to Montego Bay is symbolic of the great things to come for the tourism industry. We have achieved a lot so far, and we look forward to additional flights that will help us to reach Minister Bartlett’s projected target of five million visitors and US$5 billion in earnings by 2025,” he noted. White added that he welcomed all the passengers for the inaugural flight and expressed gratitude for the visitors making Jamaica their preferred destination to visit.

The airline will be offering non-stop weekly flights from Kansas City to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

Jamaica is projected to welcome 3.88 million visitors in 2023, with estimated earnings of US$4.2 billion.

Source: Loop News: https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/jamaica-welcomes-southwest-airlines-inaugural-flight-kansas-city

It’s a long, long road

Students at the Jamaica-China Goodwill School in Trelawny.

The song He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, sung by The Hollies, played in my mind as we navigated the road to Morant Bay last Tuesday: “It’s a long, long road, from which there is no return, while we’re on the way to there, why not share?”

The road was not only long but also dangerous as there was no signage to tell us whether we were on a one-way or two-way section of the highway under construction. Some sections were as smooth as silk while others felt like a roller-coaster.

We were journeying to the Jamaica-China Goodwill Infant School in Morant Bay where Digicel Foundation created a Smart Room to stimulate the little ones with learning challenges and a colourful playground. The joy of the infants reciting “Love yourself and others will love you”, the enthusiasm of Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Chair Trisha Williams-Singh, and the dedication of the teachers remind us of “what is right with Jamaica”.

Our bittersweet journey reflect happenings in Jamaica over the past two weeks. At a political meeting there was the man with a chain around his neck being unlocked by Opposition Leader Mark Golding, supposedly to symbolise ‘liberation’ from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP); the optics enraged many.

We received the good news that the international rating agency Standard & Poor’s had moved Jamaica up from B+ to a BB- rating. Jamaica Observer senior reporter Josimar Scott quoted Keith Duncan, chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee on this positive development: “This ratings upgrade would also be driven by the institutional architecture with an independent central bank and the new independent fiscal commission which is being established along with the natural disaster risk mitigation strategies that have been put in place. This upgrade is a welcome development and should see Jamaica being able to negotiate better terms of financing of its debt and lower cost of capital for businesses.”

Further, taxpayers were relieved to hear from Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke that Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) has received an insurance payout of US$1 million which would pay their staff expenses as they wound up operations.

Resignation of Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert

But grey clouds gathered as we learnt that speaker of the House and Member of Parliament (MP) Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, in a report from the Integrity Commission, had failed to include a motor vehicle in her statutory declarations. There were calls for her resignation and she subsequently resigned as both speaker and MP, her letter noting: “I maintain to this day that the omission of the vehicle was a genuine oversight on my part. There would have been no allegations against my name had I included the vehicle in my declaration; therefore, I had no motive to have deliberately omitted it.”

Residents of the Trelawny Southern constituency, which Dalrymple-Philibert had served for 16 years, expressed deep disappointment in her resignation. Women who serve in various capacities can sympathise with the former speaker’s omission as they constantly juggle duties. In her letter she states, “As a woman maintaining a family and as a Member of Parliament, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and managing partner of a law firm, the toll that it has taken on me is immense.”

Greg Christie’s faux pas

Greg Christie

Then along came the attack in the car park of the Integrity Commission’s offices in which a director of corruption was shot (mercifully, no serious injury) and robbed.

There was general outrage when in response to a reporter’s request for a comment Greg Christie said, “Ask the Government that.” This foot-in-mouth moment was caught on camera and as it went viral calls came in from the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), the National Integrity Action (NIA), G2K, and others for Christie’s resignation.

I found the comment by former Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President Howard Mitchell to be compassionate, as he said he observed the stress in Christie’s expression and suggested that he take leave of absence and get counselling. He concluded his remarks by saying it may be best for Christie to offer his resignation. I have known Greg Christie for years as a brilliant attorney-at-law and outstanding professional. I am disappointed in his statement, which is unworthy of a gentleman of his calibre.

Both Dalrymple-Philibert and Christie acted out of turn. However, let this not erase the positive contributions they have made to this country.

ROM YARD PREMIERE

Congratulations to the brilliant David Heron on the grand premiere of the television series From Yard at Palace Cineplex last Monday. Heron took a courageous leap from marketing in the financial world in the 90s to follow his dream, becoming an acclaimed playwright and an off-Broadway actor in New York.

Now his journaling of his experiences as a young migrant to the US has evolved into his autobiography Yardie and the riveting series described as “one Jamaican man’s quest to find his personal and professional destiny on the rough streets of New York City”.

Proceeds of the premiere went to Bam Moms Club, towards prenatal guidance for underprivileged expectant mothers.

Farewell, R Danny Williams

R Danny Williams

This column has sung many praises to the magnificent R Danny Williams. When I remarked on social media that he helped to fund-raise for the first Rebel Salute’, readers were amazed at how far this great Jamaican stretched his hand.

It was a learning experience to sit at his feet as he chaired the fund-raising committee of the Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies. His focus and positivity raised the funds in record time. His beloved Jamaica College also benefited from his unwavering support.

His service in the private and public sector is unmatched and we are grateful that he lived to see the former Life of Jamaica building, now Sagicor, named in his honour, and to write his autobiography, instructing his people on the joy of servant leadership. Our deepest sympathy to his dear wife, Shirley, family members, and close friends. May his great soul rest in peace.

Our family star

Lowell F D Smith

We said a sad goodbye to our cousin Lowell F D Smith who we regarded as our family star. First, he put Unity Primary School in Westmoreland on the map when he was a close runner-up in the National Spelling Bee and the he won a Government Scholarship to St George’s College.

At St George’s, Lowell excelled in both academia and extracurricular activities. Not only did he consistently finish at the top of his class, but he became leader of the scout troop, the Debating Society, the Drama Club, and was editor-in-chief of the school’s yearbook The Lance.

Lowell met his beautiful wife, Lana, in law school at The University of the West Indies. He became a widely respected attorney-at-law, lauded by Gordon Robinson as a mentor. Lowell was an advisor to our company sharing witticisms, even as he did laser-like examinations of contracts.

During Lowell’s long illness, Lana devoted herself to caring for her beloved husband. Their faith and constant worship inspired our family. Our love and sympathy to Lana, their children, and extended family. May Lowell’s soul rest in peace.

Source: Jamaica Observer: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/its-a-long-long-road/

Renewables boost

Marubeni says old power plants to be replaced by renewables

Executives from JPS shareholder Marubeni commit to replacing its aging power plants with renewable energy plants in the next two years. The Marubeni executives made the commitment in a recent meeting with Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Marubeni Power International has now confirmed that renewables have been chosen to replace old fossil fuel-fired power plants at Rockfort and Hunt’s Bay in Kingston. The company made the revelation about the choice after making the commitment to the Government to align the company with the objective of having 50 per cent of power generated in Jamaica coming from renewable sources by 2030, during a recent visit.

The two power plants are expected to be shutdown starting in the next two years, and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), based on its licence, has the right to replace generating capacity it already owns and will be spending US$500 million to replace those plants with renewable energy. It will be looking to develop projects which together will replace 171 megawatt entirely with solar and wind energy.

“In the next two years or less, some of the plants are going to be shutting down and have to be replaced, and the replacement the Government indicates to us has to be renewables,” Damian Obiglio, senior vice-president, Marubeni Power International and chairman of JPS, told the Jamaica Observer in an interview Tuesday. He added that the investment will also include battery storage to ensure power remains available when the sun is not shining or when the wind dies down.

The confirmation comes long after it was first indicated that the JPS would be replacing the old power plants with renewable energy. Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s energy minister, earlier this year told the parliamentary committee reviewing the Electricity Act that renewables would be the replacement power source, but a check with the JPS then revealed that the issue was not finalised as yet.

Marubeni says it will be working with its partners to spend US$500 million to replace 171MW of fossil fuel-generated electricity with solar and wind solutions in the next two to three years.

“JPS is in the final stages with the Government about how much battery, wind and solar power,” Obiglio added in the interview with the Business Observer. He said it is expected that 60 per cent of the investment, or US$300 million, will be spent on batteries to store power for future use. Of the US$200 million left to build the farms, he said US$160 million will go to solar farms while the other US$40 million will be invested in wind energy solutions.

“These are different investments from the other renewable investments the Government is seeking. This is the JPS just replacing existing capacity which is about to come off line with renewables,” Obiglio stressed. He said the Government indicates that it would prefer the battery farm to be somewhere in the Corporate Area where demand is greatest, either on Spanish Town Road or at its old plant at Hunt’s Bay.

“In the case of renewables, the Government have indicated a strong preference for the farms to be in the eastern end of Jamaica — the St Thomas area and the Portland area — while some of the plants may be set up in Clarendon.”

The company added that it is awaiting further directives and stand ready to cooperate as soon as the plans are agreed upon.

Just recently, executives from Marubeni Corporation and Marubeni Power International visited Jamaica in demonstration of their ongoing commitment to the country and to being an investment partner in the nation’s growth.

In the island for a one-day visit were Satoru Harada, Chief operating officer, Power Division of Marubeni Corporation and Yukio Konishi, senior vice-president, Marubeni Power International.

They paid a courtesy visit on Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the prime minister’s office, where Harada spoke to the significance of Marubeni’s investment in Jamaica and pledged to continue to partner with the Government in supporting economic growth through efficient and sustainable energy generation.

Marubeni, a major shareholder in JPS, also has interests in the 194-MW capacity power plant operated by South Jamaica Power Company, located in St Catherine.

Currently, JPS has two major investors: Marubeni Corporation and Korea East-West Power, and each holds 40 per cent of shares in JPS. The Government of Jamaica, through the Development Bank of Jamaica, holds the remaining 19.9 per cent while the remaining less than 1 per cent is held by private shareholders.

This article was published in the Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/renewables-boost/

Digicel Foundation and Early Childhood Commission Handover Inclusive Classroom to St. Thomas School

Digicel Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin, speaks during the handover ceremony for an inclusive classroom at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas on Tuesday (September 19). The facility’s construction stemmed from a partnership between the Foundation and the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

Students with mild to moderate physical and intellectual disabilities at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas now have an inclusive classroom to further support their educational journey.

‘The facility, which was handed over by the Digicel Foundation on Tuesday (September 19), stemmed from a partnership with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the school, Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin, informed that the room will cater to children aged three to six.

“Within the classroom, you will find a state-of-the-art sensory room, which includes panel mats, sensory lights, fibre-optic bean bags, a fibre-optic curtain kit, LED strip lights and noise-cancelling earphones,” she detailed.

Additionally, Mrs. Lowrie-Chin disclosed that the existing bathroom for the students has been retrofitted, a raft has been constructed, and a “bright and fun” outdoor play area has been renovated.

“The purpose of the classroom is at the heart of everything we do at the Digicel Foundation to promote inclusiveness. It means that no one is left behind; it means togetherness, including the little ones with special needs who need to feel loved and secure in their school environment,” the Chair said.

For her part, ECC Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, applauded the Digicel Foundation for having “changed the landscape in Jamaica for special needs”.

“The Early Childhood Commission would like to thank you so much, and we encourage you to not only do more but I use this platform to ask other corporate Jamaica [stakeholders] to come on board,” she said.

Chair, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh, speaks during the handover of an inclusive classroom at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas on Tuesday (September 19). The facility stemmed from a partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the ECC.

Acting Regional Director (Region 2) at the Ministry of Education and Youth, Yashieka Blackwood-Grant, speaking on behalf of Acting Permanent Secretary, Maureen Dwyer, similarly hailed the Digicel Foundation for “rising to the occasion, especially when special education needs are in the conversation”.

“We commit, every time we receive a gift, to taking the best care of it because we receive it as an investment. We know that there are countless children who must benefit from this investment, and so… this investment is going to bring returns for years to come,” Mrs. Blackwood-Grant said.

This is the second inclusive classroom to be established under the ECC’s Jamaica 60 Legacy Project.

The first was established at the Bethabara Infant School in Manchester.

Digicel Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin (left), and Chair, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh (second left), enjoy play time with students at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas, Amanda McKay (third left) and Travon Shaw, inside a new inclusive classroom at the institution. The space was handed over on Tuesday (September 19).

Source: Jamaica Information Service https://jis.gov.jm/features/digicel-foundation-and-early-childhood-commission-handover-inclusive-classroom-to-st-thomas-school/

Environmental sustainability begins with you

Beach clean-ups are one of the ways we can positively impact the environment.

Dear Editor,

Our natural environment is facing unprecedented threats. Phenomena such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution threaten the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems.

More than ever the importance of environmental sustainability cannot be overstated. It is our moral responsibility to protect and preserve our fragile ecosystems. While large-scale initiatives and policy changes are vital, it’s essential to recognise that everyday actions can collectively create significant change.

Here are a few ways we can each play our part in ending environmental neglect:

*Reduce, reuse, recycle: Reducing, reusing, and recycling can be one of the most effective ways we can save natural resources, protect the environment, and save money. One way to reduce is to reuse. Instead of using plastic bags, bring reusable bags when shopping or packing food. Recently, the Digicel Foundation, under its environmental campaign called Good Energy, Clean Environment, revamped its staff initiative to collect and recycle plastic bottles. You too can reduce plastic and waste by improving recycling habits at home, school, and work.

*Conserve energy: There are small habits in our daily lives that can help to conserve energy. These acts include turning off lights, appliances, and electronics when not in use.

Earlier this year, the Government began the phasing out of the importation, export, manufacture, distribution, and sale or purchase of incandescent light bulbs. Jamaicans will soon have to switch to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The switch to more energy-efficient bulbs can significantly lower electricity consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

*Beach clean-ups: Digicel Foundation’s annual beach clean-ups on International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, which will be celebrated on September 16 this year, are not just about removing debris from shorelines, they are symbolic acts of care for our oceans and a reminder of the urgent need to reduce our plastic consumption. These clean-ups educate volunteers to reduce single-use plastics, promote responsible waste disposal, and raise awareness about the devastating impacts of pollution on marine ecosystems. Persons can visit the Jamaica Environment Trust’s (JET) website to learn how they can participate in ICC Day.

*Educate yourself and others: I cannot stress enough the importance of staying informed about environmental issues, sharing your knowledge with friends and family, encouraging conversations about sustainability, and advocating for informed decisions.

Simple, everyday actions can create a more sustainable world. Ultimately, these actions will not only improve the environment but also inspire others to join in the effort, leading to a brighter and greener future for all.

Miguel “Steppa” Williams

Director of strategic planning and community development

Digicel Jamaica Foundation

Source: The Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/environmental-sustainability-begins-with-you/

Fun at FFP band camp!

Ali McNab (left), representing the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Entertainment, and Sport, and band camp instructor Jeffrey Brown (right) pose with Le-anna Smith and Ethan Clayton, two of the students who participated in this year’s edition of Food For the Poor Jamaica’s Band Camp programme at the organisation’s head office in St Catherine.

Food For the Poor Jamaica’s recent band camp project, which provides musical instruction for children age six through 16 on a variety of instruments was yet another success in engaging children for the summer holidays.

Attendees got the opportunity to be exposed to professional guidance and teaching on the various musical instruments and stylings on offer.

The children, and their parents, expression appreciation as talents were unearth and horizons expanded.

The intention is that programme will continue to be an annual event serving the community.

At the end of the programme a graduation exercise was held to recognise the achievements of attendees in tribute to the hard work they had put in towards developing competence.

See share scenes:

Drumming student Chozen Bailey (right) poses with his mother and brother after the recent graduation exercise for the band camp music training programme which concluded at Food For the Poor headquarters. Some 60 youngsters, aged six through 16 years, learned to perform on various instruments.

Source: Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/fun-at-ffp-band-camp/

Bluefields Bay Villas expands

Finance minister, Dr Nigel Clarke (left); CEO of Bluefields Villas, Debbie Moncure (centre) and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett cut the ribbon to officially mark the opening of four new suites at the villas. (Photos: Kimberley Peddie).

BLUEFIELDS, Westmoreland — Bluefields Bay Villas has raised the bar in luxury accommodations, adding four new suites to the property, a move the tourism minister says will take marketing to another dimension.

The all-inclusive collection of six villas nestled on Jamaica’s south coast has now grown to 27 suites. The new one-bedroom suites each have a private veranda and access to a shared infinity edge pool that overlooks the ocean.

The target is the higher end of the market.

“We have been pushing an up-market, high-dollar tourism in Jamaica and we’re continuing to do so. We are hoping that this first expansion is just one of the many phases in what we are hoping to do here in Bluefields,” said Managing Director Houston Moncure.

He was speaking with the Jamaica Observer at the official opening of the suites on Sunday. Guests included minister of finance, Dr Nigel Clarke; Minster of tourism, Edmund Bartlett; US ambassador to Jamaica, Nick Perry; Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks; and senior strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright.

Bluefields Bay Villas CEO Debbie Moncure and her husband Braxton said their son Houston was the conceptualiser of the suites.

“Houston came up with [the] concept and so he went to the architect — otherwise known as me — and we developed the suites,” she said with a chuckle.

Debbie, who was born in New York and holds a BA in Art History from Tufts University and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, moved to Washington, DC, immediately upon finishing her graduate studies. She met her husband Braxton in DC and they began coming to Jamaica together in the late 1970s. They were married in Bluefields in 1983. The couple celebrated their 40-year anniversary during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new suites.

Speaking at the ceremony, the tourism minister lauded the Moncures for their contribution to the industry.

“Tourists have come and they have really become a part of Bluefields. When you come to this area people talk about it and I get messages, I get calls — some are wonderful calls Houston, and some are about the development and the joy it brings,” Bartlett said.

“The addition of this innovation is going to mean a lot more to us than you. No other country has the hosting capacity that we have. For all the pain and suffering that tourism offers to this country, we are the only industry that has grown every quarter for the last 35 years,” he boasted.

Bartlett added that growth has spiralled over the years.

“In the last nine quarters the growth has been spectacular, absolutely phenomenal but that growth has happened now because of people like Houston who have come up with ideas and have brought innovations and have enabled more people to come to us. What you are doing is going to enable me to take marketing to another dimension,” the minister said.

Houston stressed that the Villa supports the local community.

“We believe our model of tourism is really good for Jamaica,” he said.

Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke (left); Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (second left), and senior strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright (third left) tour the newly opened suites at Bluefields Bay Villas. They are joined by villa operators, Braxton (third right), Debbie (second right) and Houston Moncure.
Bluefields Bay Villas CEO Braxton Moncure walks to one of the newly added suites.
A bathtub on the private veranda overlooking the ocean is one of the features of the new suites at Bluefields Bay Villas.

Source: Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/bluefields-bay-villas-expands/

Brilliance and courage in Budapest

Jamaica’s Danielle Williams takes ussies with fans as she celebrates after winning the women’s 100m hurdles final.  Contributed photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC.

It was an amazing week for our Jamaican athletes and their fans as we ran, jumped, and hammer threw vicariously with them at the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships.

At the time of writing, Jamaica is second to the US in the points standings, with Kenya in third place. In medal standings we are fourth behind the US, Canada, and Spain. What a performance by our team, with gold medals from Danielle Williams in the women’s 100m hurdles, young Antonio Watson in the 400m event, and Shericka Jackson in a World Championships record of 21.41 seconds in the women’s 200m. We copped silvers from Hansle Parchment in the 110m hurdles, Wayne Pinnock in the long jump, Shericka Jackson in the 100m and the women’s 4×100 relay.

Antonio Watson
Contributed photo: Naphtali Junior.

It was in the women’s 4×100 relay that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce once again showed her grit. We noticed that she was not moving with her usual rhythm towards the end of her second leg to hand over the baton to Sashalee Forbes and at the end of the brilliant silver-medal run was not seen. We learnt later that she pulled a muscle in her right knee and had gone to get medical attention. What a champion she is! Track and field analyst Bruce James noted that the reflex action in such emergencies is to drop the baton and hold the injured limb but that mothers respond differently. “Mothers are amazing,” he enthused. “Shelly is amazing.”

We congratulate Shelly-Ann on her bronze in the 100m and the other bronze winners Rushell Clayton in the 400m hurdles, Tajay Gayle in the long jump and the men’s 4×100 relay. All team members deserve kudos because points are awarded up to eighth place, depending on the event, and it must have been their never-say-die attitude in the face of some of the biggest stars that took us to number two in the points tally.

Shericka Jackson
Contributed photo – Naphtali Junior

Can Jamaica shine too?

Leahcim Semaj, basking in the glory of our athletes, posted questions that this column has been asking since 2008: “What if … Jamaica, as a nation, replicate the model that we have successfully used to become world-class in athletics in other areas of national life? Do we have the will? Is there the leadership?” I believe the key question is: Do we have the will? We have quality people in our Houses of Parliament and in our Cabinet, but it continues to be a puzzle as to why some are so slow to step up and deliver. We hear complaints about low productivity in areas of public service but in this day of high tech there must be ways to measure this.

On a positive note, our team members who attended a forum held by the Norman Manley International Airport last Friday, said that Opposition spokesman on transportation Mikael Phillips hailed Minister Daryl Vaz for speedily addressing the issues which now fall to his portfolio.

That same day Vaz saw to the off-loading of 50 new buses for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company. Jamaicans with disabilities will be happy to hear that these vehicles have been modified to accommodate those with mobility issues. We have ministers who can hold their own anywhere in the world and we can only hope they are not being held back by the internal political tensions that occur in both parties.

This is what we value in the world of athletics: When you are out there on the track or in the field, no one can try to hide your achievements. When you submit yourself to testing no one can accuse you of unethical behaviour. Although she was not selected for the 4×100, Elaine Thompson-Herah posted on social media: “Well done, ladies (heart emojis). One side Jamaica (flag emoji).”

A coalition for good

People have scoffed at Economic Programme Oversight Committee Chairman Keith Duncan’s call for a coalition of political parties to tackle the hard challenges that the country must overcome. This is because we are so steeped in this hostile political environment that we refuse to look towards the “One Jamaica” of which Thompson-Herah speaks.

As we tackle this crime monster, which has now resulted in the second firebombing, we refuse to accept that our political representatives could be so callous as to refuse to come together and agree on crime-fighting solutions.

Naomi “Miss Sweeney” Gocul, a senior citizen beloved by her neighbours, lost her life because of the cruel injuries she received from the Gregory Park firebombing. Jamaica’s senior citizens are the bedrock of their communities and the most faithful voters, there should be no question about finding the ways and means to protect these goodly Jamaicans.

Our netball star Latanya Wilson and her family were burnt out in the Central Kingston firebombing. How can this be her reward for flying our flag so high? Many of our athletes come from very humble communities, it is cynical to have time for them only when they bring us glory but have little care for the conditions under which they live.

May the achievements of our hard-working athletes inspire us to turn a new page for Jamaica. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Norman and Cecile Jarrett enjoy themselves at a CCRP party.

Happy 100th, Norman Jarrett!

CCRP, the advocacy organisation for seniors, has been joining forces with the National Council for Senior Citizens to celebrate the 100th birthdays of Jamaicans.

Yesterday we made a special presentation to CCRP 2017 Living Legacy Honoree Norman Jarrett, who was born on July 27, 1923.

He is a passionate activist for the improvement of literacy among Jamaica’s young students and established the Norman and Cecile Jarrett Literacy Improvement Programme with his wife, fellow educator Cecile, in 2011. Through this programme, the Jarretts work with primary school students in the downtown Kingston area to improve their literacy. The project has been embraced by the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston, of which he is the chairman of the Human and Spiritual Values Committee.

Jarrett’s career as a teacher began in 1941 at Annotto Bay Elementary School as a pretrained teacher. After graduating from Mico Teachers’ College [now The Mico University College] he served as an all-age school principal for 20 years and at another school for nine years.

He was music coordinator and teacher at Papine High School for three years and spent the following 18 years as the training coordinator at the Jamaica Industrial Corporation and as an inspector and travelling officer with the Factories Corporation of Jamaica.

As a perennial volunteer, Jarrett has taught music at the Church of the Transfiguration Basic School for 30 years and he served as the full-time organist at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church for 22 years. The spry Jarrett still finds time to play the organ on a part-time basis in several churches around Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Canada. Among his many awards, he has received the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service in the fields of music and education.

Happy 100th Birthday to a great Jamaican, Norman Jarrett, and congratulations to his supportive wife Cecile and other members of their caring family.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is the executive chair of PROComm and CCRP. 

Source: Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/brilliance-and-courage-in-budapest/

We had better wake up to the issue of ageing in Jamaica

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Mrs Jean Lowrie-Chin, who Jamaicans will call blessed for her work with the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), hit the nail squarely on the head in her very helpful column in this newspaper.

“As hard as it is on Jamaicans to hear news of crime and violence, it is even worse for our elderly, especially those in violence-prone communities.

“Many suffer from underlying medical issues and disabilities and so the saying, ‘You can’t run, you can’t hide’ applies to them, literally. Besides that, abuse of the elderly is not only one of the most cruel and silent crimes in Jamaica, but also worldwide,” she wrote.

It is hard not feel a sense of remorse when one sees how senior citizens exist in Jamaica, generally speaking. The squalor bred by poverty that is the lot of too many in the rural parts is ugly and stomach-turning.

Add to that food security, inadequate access to specialised geriatric care, the high levels of violence and elder abuse pointed out by Mrs Lowrie Chin, and low levels of social security that expose them to sexual assaults and robbery.

There was once a popular view that one could judge the civilisation of a society by the way it treats its senior citizens, respecting them for their presumed experience, wisdom, and maturity. That appears to be a view of the past.

But Jamaica had better wake up to the reality that the country’s population is rapidly ageing. Our own Planning Institute of Jamaica insists that the population is becoming top heavy, with the elderly population — that is people aged 65 and over — expected to double by 2050, when they will constitute almost 20 per cent of the total population.

So, like the rest of the world, Jamaica will face the fact that an ageing population holds significant implications, such as will be immediately felt in labour market shortages and in the inadequacy of pension plans. That is in the short term and not somewhere off into the distant future.

In the latest revision of the National Policy for Senior Citizens, the state of the country’s aged is fairly accurately assessed and solutions to the challenges proposed through a multi-stakeholder approach designed to address social, economic and health barriers. We, of course, were dismayed to learn that only 23 per cent of the elderly have health insurance.

The stark reality is that the Government is doing almost as much as it can, given the limited resources, through programmes like the Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly, the National Health Fund, the National Insurance Scheme, the National Committee for Senior Citizens, and several others.

But a lot more will be necessary before we can hold our heads high about our treatment of the elderly.

The talk about forcing children to be responsible for their elderly parents is too thorny an issue to be relied on as a workable solution.

We might need to consider a two per cent tax on salaries above $10 million a year to build more infirmaries and assisted living facilities, increase social pension benefits, expand feeding programmes, subsidise transportation, and monitor private nursing homes, many of which are a putrid excuse for such.

This kind of tax will recognise the importance of tackling the problem as a national one and should be considered, even if it means putting it to a referendum.

Source: Jamaica Observer | We had better wake up to the issue of ageing in Jamaica