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THIS WEEKS NEWS SUMMARY
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JAMAICAN BUSINESS’S THREATENING TO BOYCOTT MUSIC INDUSTRY – 10/2/04
This week a few big name corporate sponsors vowed to withdraw their support from the local entertainment industry if dancehall artists continue to make violent lyrics a part of their performance. In a joint statement, Cable and Wireless Jamaica Ltd., Courts Jamaica Ltd., Digicel Jamaica, Red Stripe, Pepsi-Cola Jamaica and Wray & Nephew Ltd. said they would no longer lend their names to anything that incites or promotes violence. "Our goal is to work together to promote the unity and well-being of our society, and maintain Jamaica's cultural eminence," the companies said in the statement.
REX NETTLEFORD TO CHAIR DIASPORA FOUNDATION – 10/20/04
Senator Delano Franklyn, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, announced this week that outgoing vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Rex Nettleford, has been appointed chairman of the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation. The Jamaican Diaspora Foundation was set up in response to discussions held at the Jamaican Diaspora Conference in June with a main goal to deepen and strengthen relationships with Jamaicans living overseas. The Jamaican Government had also appointed Nettleford as an Ambassador-at-large.
REPORT: DEPORTEES PLAY NO SIGNIFICANT IN HOMICIDE RATE. – 10/3/04
Last week, Professor Headley, a lecturer in criminology in the department of sociology at the UWI, disclosed the findings of a report sponsored by the Washington D.C.-based Homeland Security which concludes that deportees do not factor significantly Jamaica's homicide rate. Deportees were mostly convicted for cocaine trafficking (33.4 per cent), ganja trafficking (16.9 per cent), and other drugs (9.5 per cent).
STUDENTS MARCH FOR PEACE IN SPANISH TOWN – 10/04/04
Hundreds of students representing several of the island's leading tertiary institutions marched through Spanish Town, condemning the violence which has been plaguing sections of the area. The peaceful march was organized by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Guild of Students and lasted for 2 hours.
MERCHANTS TO BUILD $600M LUXURY COMPLEX FOR ROSE HALL – 10/04/04
Six fierce competitors in Jamaica's major inbond business have joined forces to construct a $600-million luxury shopping, dining and entertainment complex at Rose Hall in St. James. Construction of 'Shoppes at Rose Hall' will begin in November 2004. It will be located on five acres of real estate between the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Wyndham Rose Hall. The estimated completion date is December 2005. The members of the group are K. Chandiram Limited, operators of Bijoux Jewellers, B.D. Dalani Limited, owners of Casa De Oro, Daswani Jamaica Limited-Royal Shop, Samtani Jamaica Limited, proprietors of Tropicana Jewellers, H.K. Mahtani and Sons of Presita Shops and Khiatani, group operators of Tajmahal.
HURRICANE IVAN ESTIMATES REVEALED BY PM 10/04/05
Today PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson stated that preliminary estimates from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) indicate that Jamaica suffered US$362 million in damage as a result Hurricane Ivan. He did caution that the estimates are likely increase as sectors of the economy and communities had suffered private losses which were not yet calculated. Mr. Patterson said the total damage amounts to 4.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
AIR JAMAICA TO REVAMP – 10/04/04
At a media briefing held this week at Air Jamaica's Kingston headquarters, Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Zacca laid out a plan to implement a number of cost-cutting measures and general revamping of operations in order to keep the airline viable at a time when escalating costs means that the airline industry world-wide may lose an estimated US$5 billion this year. Sabre Consulting, an American firm, was hired at a fee of of US$300,000 to re-evaluate Air Jamaica’s business plan and make recommendations on the most efficient way to run the airline. In an effort to save US$8 million Air Jamaica has cut its schedule by 15% until December 15th 2004. They will forgo revenues of approximately US$5 million in revenue during that period.
MILLIONS NEEDED TO REBUILD FORESTRY - 10/05/04
The head of the Forestry Department, Marilyn Headley, stated last week that an estimated $53 million will be needed to restore the Jamaica's forestry to where it was before Hurricane Ivan hit. She noted that the most badly affected parishes were Portland, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, St. Andrew and Manchester. Approximately 1,800 seedlings have been lost as a result of damage to 4 of Jamaica nurseries.
ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY RECOMMENDED - 10/06/04
Assistant United States attorney in the Department of Justice Michael McMahon recommended the creation of an independent anti-corruption agency to fight all types of corruption in Jamaica. Speaking at a forum in Jamaica this week Mr. McMahon said “such an entity would deliver more results in bringing to book persons involved in corrupt activities and would not be a strain on the states resources”
UWI STUDENTS PROTEST FEE POLICY – 10/06/04
University of the West Indies students staged a peaceful protest on the university's Mona campus against the administration's decision to deregister students who have not yet paid their tuition fees. The recently implemented policy calls for the deregistration and eventual expulsion of those students who are unable to pay their tuition fees.
HAITIANS REFUGEES DELIGHTED – 10/07/04
This week’s announcement by the Government that there were no immediate plans to send back the 281 Haitian Refugees to their homeland was met with joy by the refugees at the compound in Montpelier, St. James. Church leaders and human rights advocates had come to the refugees defense saying it would be inhumane to send the refuges back after a recent asylum claims were declined.
HURRICANE IVAN RECOVERY FUND SET UP BY WINDALCO AND ALPART - 10/08/2004
Jamaica’s 2 main bauxite companies, Windalco and Alpart, have established a $62 million Hurricane Ivan recovery fund for employees whose homes were damaged by the storm. The companies have been assisting many of the relief agencies in the parishes they operate.
3000 FARMERS GET GOV'T VOUCHERS - 10/08/2004
Some 3000 farmers in Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Hanover, whose crops were affected by the flooding, caused by Hurricane Charley, have started to receive government vouchers to assist them in recovery. The vouchers are being distributed by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). The vouchers are to cover seeds, fertilizers and chemicals. They are redeemable at distributors of agricultural products island-wide, and will be later extended to farmers who suffered damage by Hurricane Ivan.
US$16 million debt for nature swap - 10/08/04
A US$16 million Tropical Forest Conservation Fund was launched this week by the governments of Jamaica and the US as part of a debt-for-nature swap agreement between both countries. The fund was established to support local forest and conservations activities. The Nature Conservancy, a U.S.-based non-governmental organization, spearheaded the debt for nature swap. The Environmental Fund of Jamaica will administer the fund
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SPORTS
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Heroes welcome Planned for Paralympians – 10/05/04
Medalists at this years Olympic and Paralympic Games will be honored with a heroes welcome during 'Heritage Week', October 14-18. They will be part of a motorcade that leaves the Norman Manley International Airport at 2:00 p.m. and arrives at the National Stadium at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14.
Olympians, Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson, Aleen Bailey, Tayna Lawrence, Beverley McDonald, Nadia Davy, Novlene Williams, Sandie Richards, Michelle Burgher, Allison Beckford, Danny McFarlane and Paralympians Alphanso Cunningham and Tanto Campbell will be honored
Reggae Boyz and Panama Play to 1-1 Draw – 10/10/04
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz and Panama played to an exciting 1-1 draw in their CONCACAF Group A World Cup qualifier at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama City last night. The first half saw Panama applying pressure to the Reggae Boyz and they took the lead in the 22 minute with a header from striker Roberto Brown that slipped under keeper Donovan Ricketts. It was Brown's third goal against Jamaica in as many games. The Boyz battled back in the second half and were rewarded in the 74th minute with a Theodore Whitmore equalizer. Both teams remain tied on five points as the CONCACAF Semifinal Round Qualification continues for Group A on Wednesday (13 October 2004) as Panama visits the USA in Washington, D.C., while Jamaica will host El Salvador in Kingston.