Minister with responsibility for Water, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr. is asserting that the delivery of water to health centres and other critical areas remains a priority for the Government.

He says the National Water Commission has been generally consistent in the delivery of water to health institutions.

“I can assure the public that the National Water Commission considers provision of water to these health centres a priority, given the critical nature of resources”, declared the minister.

Minister Charles Jr. indicated that water is trucked to the clinics on the request of the clinic administration.

“In the recent case at the Comprehensive Health Centre, on Slipe Pen Road, I am advised that the Health Centre made request for water on Wednesday and Thursday (May 16) and 2000 gallons were delivered on both days with an additional 3000 gallons on Friday morning, a total of 7000 gallons in three days. This is in addition to piped water being on the property for portions of each day”, detailed Senator Charles Jr.

Minister Charles Jr. added “that based on the scheduling system of the NWC, water is made available to the clinic generally at 9am each morning. However, on Thursday, due to lower than usual availability at the Mona Dam, it unavoidably returned at 12noon. When a team from the NWC visited the clinic on Friday (May 17), all tanks on the premises had water, several being full”, he explained.

In the meantime, the Minister is calling on institutions to manage their water supply so as to minimize water loss.

“We recognize that the entire country is facing challenges at this time, regarding water shortage; however, it is a priority that health facilities, schools and other critical areas are consistently supplied with water. We again call for institutions to properly manage their water supply so as to minimize water loss. I am also calling on the various health institutions to report any water issues you may be having through the established channels as each of these institutions has an in-house representative that liaise with NWC. In doing so, we will be able to respond to any issues speedily to ensure minimal disruptions in their operations”, he concluded.

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The residents, who reside in Meadowsvale, Pitfour Phase three and Retirement Phases one and two, were presented with the titles during a handover ceremony held at the Dawn Christadelphian Bible Centre in Retirement Phase 2, St. James, on May 8.

In his remarks, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., encouraged the recipients to be cognisant of the value of their title and to use it accordingly.

“If you have your house on the land, you can use it to go and leverage a mortgage to expand your house. If you don’t want to build or expand, and you simply want to pass it on, you can use the title to pass on officially, in a secure way…. to anyone that you wish. So this is an important day, this is a day when you are handed the authority to organise your own life,” Senator Charles Jr. said.

The Minister informed that close to 1,500 titles are available for residents who occupy properties in the Meadowsvale, Pitfour and Retirement communities.

He pointed out that far too many homeowners are complacent about moving to get the certificate of titles for the land they occupy informally.

“Just in this area, Meadowsvale, you have 73 titles that have already been issued [and] 327 are still available for completion and collection; Pitfour III, 42 that have been issued and 83 available for completion and collection,” Senator Charles Jr. stated.

“In Retirement Phase one, 212 are available for completion and collection and you have 70-odd that have been collected already. For Retirement Phase Two, 69 [titles] have been issued since 2014, [and there are] 871 titles waiting to be collected for that process to be completed,” he added.

For his part, Chairman of the HAJ, Norman Brown, is encouraging informal land owners in these communities, to complete outstanding payments for their lands, so that they can collect their titles.

He noted that there are tremendous possibilities to be derived through owning a land title, including opportunities for community development.

“When you get a title in your hand it is tremendous. I implore all of us today, when you receive yours, don’t keep it a secret. Tell your neighbour, I got mine, you can get yours too and then you start to develop your community because you will have access to adequate resources,” Mr. Brown stated.

Story Credit: JIS

Minister with responsibility for Water, Infrastructure and Housing, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. says creating a sustainable blue economy is important to the country’s development.

“It is very important that we advance the discussion on the sustainable blue economy. It is not just a catch phrase; it is to Jamaica, and Small Island Developing States, the only way for us to move forward in regards to sustainable development. We have to have a discussion on the health of our marine ecosystem”, declared Minister Charles Jr.

Minister Charles Jr. was speaking at the UnCut Conversations on Climate Change Forum yesterday (May 9) at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel.

In the meantime, Minister Charles Jr. added that the Government is creating a sustainable framework for the management of the country’s water resources to counter the negative impacts of climate change on our water resources.

“We want to create a resilient and sustainable framework for the protection of our water resources in Jamaica… we want to have healthy watersheds to increase availability while reducing sedimentation in intakes and also coastal waters”, stated Minister Charles Jr.

Minister Charles Jr. indicated that the 2019 National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan will provide the sustainable parameters within which the sector will operate.

UnCut Conversations on Climate Change is an unscripted, open multi-stakeholder forum that allows for the exchange of information, expertise, experiences and ideas on climate change.

The Forum was hosted by the Climate Change Division in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

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Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that increased investments will be made to improve national security.

Speaking on Friday (April 26) at the opening of the new Lathbury Barracks Offices and Accommodation at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Up Park Camp, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is recalibrating its efforts to restore order by making the necessary improvements.

Against this background of “clear and present threats” affecting the country, the Prime Minister highlighted that 28 percent of the total capital budget has been allocated to National Security.

“The unconventional threats that we face that is taking the lives of our citizens; increasing number of gangs, dons and guns. That is what we must now recalibrate; our civil defence and national security assets to tackle, and that is what the Government has been doing and that is what I want to convey to the leaders, the strategic thinkers of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) that this is now your new mission because this is now the clear and present danger to our society and the government will make the investment to support you in doing this”, said Prime Minister Holness.

In that regard, the Prime Minister further stated that the JDF is a critical tool in dealing with the unconventional threats to national security. 

In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness lauded the men and women of the JDF for their selfless and effective discharge of duties during the States of Public Emergency and also noted that the country is proud of their efforts.

“We recognize the service that you are doing, we recognize it and we are going to with military precision as you have done in discharging your duties, provide you (with) the resources not just for comfort”, asserted Prime Minister Holness,

The Prime Minister reiterated that further investments will be made in the country’s security services and the public will reap the dividends of those investments.

Senator the Hon Pearnel Charles Jr. has lauded the Jamaican press for its accuracy and consistency in the delivery of information to the public.

“We acknowledge the excellence and consistency of our press here in Jamaica who has been an integral part of our democracy and an important element of providing information to our people on what the Government is doing and intends to do”, expressed Senator Charles Jr.

Senator Charles Jr. made the comments today (Friday, May 3) during the sitting of the Senate in recognition of World Press Freedom Day.

He said that the Government acknowledges World Press Freedom Day as very important.

“As a functioning democracy the Government acknowledges the role of the press in [not only] holding all of us accountable but also in  highlighting the successes of the country; playing their part in ensuring that the country is aware of the several positive things that are taking place in the country”, stated Senator Charles Jr.

He added that the Press must utilize a balanced, fair and fearless approach in the dissemination of information to the public.

Meanwhile, Senator Charles Jr also highlighted the role of social media in the dissemination of information.   

“We must clamp down on those, including social media users, who spread fake news and inaccurate information. I consider this offensive to the media professionals in the industry who work assiduously to maintain the integrity of their product”, stated Senator Charles Jr.

He said this highlights, even more, the importance of acknowledging our official press and their responsibility to not only pass information but to highlight where wrong information is being disseminated.

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CHILDREN WITH disabilities will, in a few weeks, have the chance to get in the know about climate change, thanks to the Nathan Ebanks Foundation (NEF) and its partnership with the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism (AP&FM) of the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience.

The foundation, which advocates to broaden the base of support for children living with disabilities, is collaborating with AP&FM, along with other partners, to host its annual family expo and special needs resource fair in two locations this year – Kingston and St Elizabeth.

“We are aware that it can be a challenge for persons with disabilities and their families to access information and resources needed to best plan for themselves and their loved ones. And so we were very happy to get the opportunity to share information on climate change and how we can reduce the vulnerability of persons with disabilities,” said Dr Winsome Townsend, project manager for the AP&FM.

Other partners include Supreme Ventures Limited as well as affiliates from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, National Parenting Support Commission, Jamaica Fire Brigade, National Child Month Committee, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

“We are happy to be taking the event out of Kingston and to another area, as we realise that sometimes persons with disabilities and their families are not able to access this kind of information as easily outside of the urban areas,” said Christine Staple-Ebanks, founder and president of the NEF.

PLATFORM TO BE HEARD

“Through the Family Expo and Special Needs Resource Fair, we continue to give children with disabilities and their families a platform to reach a broader audience and let their voices be heard, and to connect them to resources and support in the community,” she said.

At the April 10 launch, Ebanks and her team announced the dates of the two events – the Kingston event is to be held at the Hope Gardens on May 25 and the second fair and expo on July 4 at the Alpart Sports Club in Nain, St Elizabeth.

These events are designed to support NEF’s quest for the inclusion, participation and empowerment of children with disabilities and special needs.

“Our vision of the future is to see all children of varied abilities and talent grow, thrive, learn and uncover their own unique gifts in a way that respects their diversity and celebrate potential,” said Staple-Ebanks.

There are an estimated 200,000 children living with disabilities in Jamaica and inadequate systems in place to effectively include them into society. Since 2007, the Nathan Ebanks Foundation has been on a mission to advocate for, and strengthen capacities to promote the best interests, rights, safety, education, and inclusion of children with disabilities and special education needs in Jamaica.

The fairs this year will feature an emergency preparedness resource booth, academic screening, mental health checks, health checks, dental services, vision screening, developmental screening, adaptive sports games and demonstrations, and a gospel concert, among other things.

Staple-Ebanks started the NEF in honour of her son Nathan, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2005 at the age of nine months. The foundation was set up to serve children with disabilities through, among other things, the:

– training of policymakers, teachers, parents, and administrators;

– researching key sector issues to inform policymakers and local practitioners; and

– providing resource and support for the nation’s educational institutions and agencies creating and integrating study plans for children with disabilities.

So far, achievements include over 5,000 persons reaching awareness and capacity building, two nationwide disability awareness public education campaigns, and multiple advocacy platforms. The foundation has also had more than 20,000 books donated to 50 schools and institutions islandwide through partnerships with St Bernard’s School in New York, USA.

 

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20190425/earth-today-children-disabilities-get-speed-climate-readiness

The Board of Directors of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has appointed Ms Heather Pinnock, General Manager of the entity as of April 1, 2019.
Ms Pinnock acted as General Manager from September 24, 2018 until the time of her appointment. Prior to that she served as Deputy General Manager, Planning Development and Project Management Division.
According to Chairman Senator Ransford Braham, the Board extends its full support and good wishes to Ms. Pinnock as she embarks on this new journey, ‘the Board expects that the UDC will continue its transformative mission of making development happen by delivering mega-projects such as the Closed Harbour Beach Park in Montego Bay, for which ground was recently broken. The upgrading of Ocho Rios, master planning for the town of Port Royal, establishment of Jamaica’s Third City and the completion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Building’ and further build out of the downtown Kingston redevelopment including the construction of the Houses of Parliament are also high priority projects for the UDC.
Ms Pinnock provides leadership for a team of almost 1000 professionals spanning disciplines of technical services, legal, finance, estate management, integrated marketing communication and environmental management. Her professional experience includes key public sector roles including Chief Technical Director at the then Ministry of Water and Housing, Senior Project Manager at the National Housing Trust and Consultant Senior Project Manager with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s Housing Development Corporation.

Ms Pinnock has also garnered valuable experience working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jamaica, the Institute for Sustainable Development, University of the West Indies, University of Technology (UTech) and the Kingston Restoration Company.
Ms. Pinnock is a graduate of the University College London, where she completed a Master of Science degree in Development and Planning with a concentration in Building and Urban Design in Development. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies degree from the Caribbean School of Architecture at the University of Technology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Green Economy (Climate) from Technische Universität Dresden in Germany.
She has been the recipient of many awards including that of being a Chevening Scholar and also serves as a Justice of the Peace in the parish of St. Andrew. Ms Pinnock is married to Julian Dadag and they have one son Sean.

The Supreme Court today handed down it’s ruling on aspects of the 2017 National Identification and Registration Act. The Government is respectful of the court’s ruling and will spend some time carefully reviewing the judgment, after which a more fulsome response will be forthcoming.

The Government would like to place on record its sincere gratitude to the full court panel comprising of Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, Justice David Batts and Justice Lisa Palmer Hamilton for their considered judgment.

Minister with responsibility for water, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. says the National Housing Trust will undertake works estimated at JM$1.0 Billion to improve the Greater Mandeville Water Supply system.

Minister Charles made the announcement yesterday (Thursday, April 11) while at the ground-breaking ceremony for Perth Estate Phase 1A.

“The scope of works will upgrade the potable water supply infrastructure serving the town of Mandeville and its environs to meet the existing shortfall and provide a surplus for future developments,” explained Minister Charles.

The works to be undertaken include:

General works to improve the overall system

1. Development of two (2) wells – Hanson & Cassava Factory- at Goshen in St. Elizabeth to produce up to 4.0 imperial million gallons per day of ‘new’ water
2. Supply and Installation of 4 No. replacement pumping equipment at the existing Gutters and Spur Tree Relift Stations
3. Supply and Installation of 2 No. additional pumping equipment for the Gutters and Spur Tree Relift Stations
4. Upgrades to the transmission and distribution network serving Mandeville

Specific Off- Site Works for Perth Housing Development

• Transmission main upgrades between Kingsland Reservoir and Perth Tank
• Upgrade of the 0.2M imp. gal. Perth Tank including construction of a new pumping station
• Supply and install 3.0km of 250mm transmission mains from the Perth Tank to a new 0.1M imp. gal. tank at Moorland which will be equipped with a pump station dedicated to serving the Perth housing development.

The project will be implemented over the next fourteen (14) months. The project is in partnership with the National Water Commission.