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THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
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GREAT TOURISM SEASON FOR JAMAICA – 07/05/04
Jamaica is recording a boom season in tourist visit to the island in the wake of fears from terrorist acts across Europe. An eighteen percent increase over last year’s statistics has been reported. April visits amounted to over one hundred and twenty thousand stopovers and is described as the best ever by Joseph Forstmayr, general manager of Round Hill Hotel in Hanover…
HAITIAN REFUGEE CAMP STRICKEN WITH HEALTH CONCERN
Policemen manning the refugee camp in Portland, Port Antonio is expressing concerns about health and safety issues. The policemen are concerned that they are exposed to diseases evident in the camp and that they themselves are not vaccinated. The Winnifred Rest Home in Fairy Hill is the policemen’ main concern which is where the Haitians are housed, and where they are forced to share facilities with the refugees. The federation says that it is planning a meeting with National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips to voice the concern…
JAMAICA/BRITISH CONNECTION WORKS AGAIN! – 06/05/04
The British High Commission and the Jamaican police have smashed a Peruvian smuggling ring into Britain through Jamaica. On Monday the police arrested five Peruvians who entered Jamaica on their national passports were later leaving for London on Chilean passports. All six appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court at Half-Way Tree on Monday, where they pleaded guilty to uttering forged documents…
A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS?
Alphansus Davis principal of the Spaulding High School has called for a code of conduct for students. He argues that if the nation is to get value for the money it spends on education, it should implement a code of conduct, not only for teachers, but also for students. He said that this should be done especially for students who benefits from cost sharing on a yearly basis, as they are the ones who do not take school seriously…
GUYANA HAS HIGHEST ROAD FATALITES IN AMERICAS – 05/05/04
A report by Guyana’s health minister revealed that the statistics for road fatalities in his country is averaging 165 deaths per year. This statistics he said should give Guyana a wake up call out of their complacent approach to road usage. He warned that the level of road carnage on his country’s road had to be curbed…
HEALTH SECTOR SHORT OF BASIC NEEDS
The national health sector is experiencing a shortage of basic medical supplies. This report was made public a couple months ago but is being denied by senior medical officers. The head of the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association admits that doctors have had to choose between doing a procedure without the necessary supplies or not doing a procedure and treating infection. The shortages reported are basic gloves, alcohols, bandages and medications…
SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE REOPENS – 04/05/04
The two secondary schools, Charlie Smith and Tivoli Comprehensives High have now reopened their doors but under heavy security. The South St. Andrew schools were forced to close their doors because of an upsurge of violence in the surrounding communities between rival gun factions. Yesterday, however, the streets were again buzzing with normal activities as police patrols made their rounds. The gates of the schools were kept closed and heavily guarded…
NURSES ASSOCIATION WANTS STUDY TIME CUT
Since the introduction of licences requirement among professional, which came into effect January 2002, the nurses are required to attend 60 hours of continuous study. The Nurses Association of Jamaica is proposing that the study time be cut by 20 hours. The Nursing Council of Jamaica (NCJ) says it is now awaiting feedback from nurses and other affected groups on its proposal. “Based on complaints from several nursing professionals, the council met and made this proposal and sent it out to them to ask them how they felt about the issue,” said Thelma Deer-Anderson, the NCJ’s registrar, in an interview with The Gleaner…
INCREASE IN INSPECTION FEES AT PORT – 03/05/04
Businessmen are worried about the increase in inspection fees at the island’s ports. Exporters, importers and other commercial interest are complaining that the fees are too high. Interest group presidents such at the Jamaica Manufacturing Association, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and combined private sector organisations have made a formal complaint and made counter proposals. Lopez of the PSOJ said that both sides had been meeting to discuss the fees, which, they fear, would make import and export businesses more uncompetitive, compared with the country’s trading partners….
G2K PRESIDENT WARNS GOVERNMENT OF HYPED PRONOUNCEMENTS
The president of the Generation 2000, the young professional arm of the Jamaica Labour Party, has warned the government of optimistic pronouncements regarding the local economy. Dr Christopher Tufton said that, a review of the Survey of Living Standards showed that an increasing number of Jamaicans are living below the poverty line. The president also pointed out that by the definition of poverty as defined by Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), poverty has been on the rise. Dr. Tufton was speaking at a Kwanis Club meeting held in Spanish Town last Thursday…
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SPORTS
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SPORTS CELEBS PERFORMS AT STADIUM– 07/05/04
Jamaica hosts their first International Invitational track meet at Marion Jones, world 100m record holder Tim Montgomery and Olympic gold medallist Gail Devers of the United States along with Mozambique’s Olympic and World Champion Maria Mutola will be making their first appearances at the National Stadium…
THE BRITS HAVE ONE OVER WEST INDIES
The Brits finished their two-month tour of the Caribbean by levelling the series 2-2 in the One-day International between West Indies and themselves. The Brits managed to pull a 7 wicket win over West Indies in a historic win of 262 for five or 47.2 overs. This is England’s first win over the West Indies in a Caribbean tour since 1868…
Reggae Boyz stop Venezuela
April 29
Jamaica emerged 2-1 winners over Venezuela in their friendly international football match at the National Stadium last night. New Reggae Boyz striker Marlon King scored a debut goal in the 10th minute and Andy Williams unleashed a screamer just before half time to give Jamaica the win. Ricardo Fuller assisted both goals. Juan Orango scored Venezula’s lone goal in the 27th minute as his 30 yards shot was misjudged by out-of-position Donovan Ricketts. There were a number of incidents between the players as Barbadian referee, Noel Ford, poorly handled the game. The win serves a morale booster for the Reggae Boyz upcoming world cup qualifier on June 12 against Haiti.
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