Statement: Press Association Calls for Immediate Rollback of Judge’s Decision Barring Media from Silvera Case

Press Association Calls for Immediate Rollback of Judge's Decision Barring Media from Silvera Case

 

 

January 26, 2024: The Press Association of Jamaica views with alarm the judge's decision to bar members of the media and the public from observing proceedings in the Jolyan Silvera murder case based on the use of her "discretion." We call for an immediate reversal of this decision, unless there is a compelling explanation and justification. If that is the case, the public must be informed what this is.

 

In Jamaica's constitutional democracy the principle of "open justice" is extremely important, that, is the principle that any member of the public should be free to observe court proceedings, except in exceptional circumstances. This serves as oversight for the judiciary and helps maintain public confidence in the justice system.

 

This is a high-profile murder case involving a former member of parliament, who is therefore a politically connected individual. It is critical that this case be open to public scrutiny to help maintain confidence in the justice system in general, and in the conduct of this case in particular. 

 

The Supreme Court's own media protocol says "The Judiciary of Jamaica recognizes the role of the media in facilitating greater access to justice thereby enhancing public confidence in the justice system" and that "In Jamaica, court hearings are, with a few exceptions, open to the public and may be reported on."

 

No reason has been given why this case should be an exception to the open justice principle. We see none, and believe that in fact, this case is a prime example of one which must be carefully scrutinised by the media and the public. We therefore call for an immediate reversal of this decision. 

 

Contact: 

Former President George Davis, 876-509-7738

Former President Dionne Jackson Miller, 876-276-6599

 

 

"

 

 

--

"A Free Press, Oxygen of Democracy"

The courage to persevere

Jamaica Observer column published 15th January 2024

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

This year comes with promises and problems, but two events last week reminded us that courage and perseverance will make it a successful one. Last Monday's opening of the $6.2 billion plant in Montego Bay by Butch Hendrickson and last Tuesday's celebration of Denis O'Brien's Digicel journey are lessons in relentless perseverance.

At the Launch of the National Baking Company's new factory, the 94^th Birthday of patriarch Karl Hendrickson was also celebrated. Karl Hendrickson started his career at his parents' bakery in Magotty. He studied at Jamaica College and McGill University in Montreal where he met his beautiful wife, Nell. They returned to Jamaica and bought the premises at Central Avenue where they set up National Baking Company and started their family: Lori-Ann Lyn, Gary "Butch", Kevin and Cathy Kerr.

With the guidance of their parents, the four embarked on their own entrepreneurial voyages. Lori-Ann with CB Foods; Butch with the expanded, retrofitted National Baking Company and the Coconut Bay Beach & Spa Resort in St. Lucia, Kevin with the Pegasus, Courtleigh, Yummy and other hospitality interests; and Cathy with Holiday Inn, Palms at Negril among other initiatives.

Every parent will ask, how did Karl do this? He explained that he and Nell identified his children's strengths and guided them to make the best of them. Butch recalls that his Dad would make his business experiences fun trips for his children, a process of the discernment of their own potential.

This also includes his social consciousness which has seen his children as indefatigable supporters of outreach programmes including early childhood and UWI STEM education, Missionaries of the Poor, Sister Mary Benedict's Laws Street Trade & Training Centre, Food for the Poor and other great causes. The first project I worked on with Karl Hendrickson was the former Primary Health Foundation as he believed that by strengthening primary health care, there would be a reduction in NCDs and less pressure on our hospitals. Now we are hearing the same pronouncements from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

We have seen Butch Hendrickson shut down his National Baking plant so the entire staff could pack over 2,000 schoolbags for early childhood institutions at the beginning of each school year. Then off went the trucks throughout Jamaica to deliver the bags. Butch and his close friend Glen Christian also built the multi-million model basic and primary school at Union Gardens. National's "Bold Ones of Manufacturing" saw over 30 companies selected for marketing packages and having their ads emblazoned on their trucks. The company is currently funding the building of 12 houses. Indeed he has declared to his staff, "Work hard and make the money because you know I plan to give it away!"

Celebration for Denis O'Brien

The Digicel Jamaica Foundation has been run with the same spirit of nation building for the past 20 years. Even as the telecoms business became more competitive, their Patron Denis O'Brien insisted on investing US$45M to fund education, special needs, community development and environmental protection. The focus on special needs was inspired by O'Brien's chairmanship of the Special Olympics World Games, the first of its kind held outside the US. At the Tuesday celebrations at the AC Marriott Hotel, Special Olympics Global Chair Tim Shriver recalled O'Brien's leadership of one of the most spectacular events of its kind.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness lauded O'Brien for his landmark investment, making telecommunications possible for the humblest Jamaican. In turn O'Brien thanked the Holness Government, specifically Audley Shaw for inspiring the building of their global headquarters on the Kingston Waterfront. He paid tribute to the Patterson Government for being "the architects of the telecoms liberalisation in 2000 in Jamaica… Jamaica's inspired liberalisation policy was then copied by nearly all countries in CARICOM and regionally."

Videos and short messages marked the milestones of O'Brien's impact in the Caribbean, Central America, Papua New Guinea and islands in the South Pacific. His dedication to the development of Haiti was noted by former US President Bill Clinton and actor Sean Penn. The Digicel Haiti Foundation has built 192 schools in Haiti, rebuilt the Iron Market and assisted survivors of the 2010 earthquake.

Here in Jamaica, the Digicel Foundation has created or significantly expanded 12 special needs schools, transformed the Alpha Institute, the St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre, several Mustard Seed residences and Bethlehem Home for the Missionaries of the Poor. During Covid, the Foundation donated thousands of tablets to schools for online learning and has been steadily creating smart computer centres in schools throughout Jamaica.

Similar projects are also being managed by the Digicel Papua New Guinea and Digicel Trinidad & Tobago Foundations. The Foundation's Global Chair Maria Mulcahy spends months commuting and directing Country CEOs Serena Sasignan, Sophia Stransky, Penny Gomez and Charmaine Daniels and chairs Josefa Gauthier, Desha Clifford and yours truly (serving my final year).

Denis took the time to congratulate all who had contributed to the Group since 2000, too many to mention here. However, we have to remark on the joie-de-vivre of Frank O'Carroll, investors Leslie Buckley, Lucy Gaffney and Seamus Lynch, the first CEO, the brilliance of the late Group CEO Colm Delves, David Hall's positivity, communications whiz Antonia Graham, spirited Peter Lloyd and financial guru Lawrence Hickey.

We can be proud of the experience and class brought by our fellow Jamaicans including Anthony Chang, Board Director, Lisa Lewis, Harry Smith, now Chairman of Digicel Jamaica, Ken Mason, Krishna Phillips, Donovan Betancourt and the late Heather Asphall who was dearly missed at the event.

Not ready to rest on his laurels, O'Brien has initiated the Repair Campaign which is vigorously pursuing monetary reparation for the plundering of Caribbean countries by our former colonial masters. Kudos to Gaffney for leading the charge and for the support of Sir Hilary Beckles and Professor Verene Shepherd.

O'Brien expressed gratitude to his wife Catherine for her support, caring for their four children while also participating in another aspect of their business.

On a serious note he said, "The Telecoms industry is in a difficult place right now and investors are pulling back. This is because the industry is being forced to meet higher and higher investment demands in network capacity both in LTE and fibre network to carry traffic for OTT's (over-the-top media services) such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Google, YouTube and Netflix and many others. This traffic carried free of charge represents 70% of network throughput. The ten largest Caribbean operators have come together to put forward a cost recovery plan to CANTO and CARICOM to force big tech to pay their way."

He thanked Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport "for his leadership and support at a CARICOM regional level, in drawing other governments' attention to this serious issue with OTT's".

As he will be demitting the Chair, while still serving as a Director of the Group, O'Brien welcomed the new Chair, Rajeev Suri, noting that he is "highly talented [and bringing] new ideas and a proven international track record from his time as CEO of Nokia and Inmarsat." 

It has been an honour to serve and be inspired by both National and Digicel. Here's wishing them continued success and Denis O'Brien a happy and fulfilling semi-retirement.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV and CCRP

lowriechin@aim.com

 

Photo Captions

Denis O'Brien displays the story of his Digicel Journey. (Jlc photo)

Four generations of the Hendrickson Family celebrate patriarch Karl's birthday at the opening of the multi-billion National facility in Montego Bay. (Observer photo)

Blue skies beckon our visitors

Observer column published on 8 January 2024

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

 

The New Year greeted us with the bluest skies. No wonder then that we have had thousands of visitors fleeing the cold North over the holiday season. In fact, Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay recorded 5,267,820 total passengers in 2023, surpassing 2022 by 19.6 per cent. The traffic for December 2023 was some 500,000 and continued high passenger traffic is expected for January to March.

VIP Attractions' Club MoBay and Club Kingston lounges have been a favourite of visitors. Their dynamic CEO Shelly-Ann Fung-King who ensured a mix of charm and efficiency over the past 15 years will be leaving the company and a new CEO Tanya Beckford has been appointed. VIP Attractions Chairman David Hall thanked Fung-King "for her years of commitment and hard work to bring the company where it is today."

There are increasing cruise-ship arrivals in Jamaica. We met friends in Falmouth at 'Flava-Ville' restaurant at the pier. A rocking DJ kept a vibe going and the Jamaican menu items attracted a full house. Our African American friend who made the Falmouth stop shared an entry in his journal: "As I stepped out onto the balcony of the ship, there was my homeland and something in me was completely settled and at peace. All my senses felt at home in that moment."

American singer and actor Fantasia Barrino-Taylor who stars in the latest version of 'The Colour Purple' was recently interviewed by Variety magazine and asked about her favourite place to visit. Her response: "I love Jamaica. Oh my God! The food in Jamaica! I'm definitely gaining a couple of pounds. But I love to eat. I love to go to the clubs and dance all night. I just love Jamaica."

Sandals has thousands of repeat visitors at this, one of the world's first all-inclusive resorts where service has raised the bar for the international hotel trade. They focus on professional development, now managed by former UWI West Director, Dr Luz Longsworth.  It is this uncompromising focus on excellence which can make the tourism industry a ladder for professional achievement.

Winthrop Wellington has been celebrating Negril in his Throp Media series, featuring interesting interviews on his 'Throp' vlog on YouTube and Instagram. Wellington returned from the US to run his family business, Travellers Beach Hotel. His discussions with real estate experts reveal that Negril is one of the fastest growing resort areas in Jamaica, not only along the seven-mile beach but also the West End along One Love Boulevard.

Cedella Marley cuts ties with JFF

In a letter published last week, Cedella Marley announced her resignation as JFF Women's Football Goodwill Ambassador: "I must express my disappointment and growing concern with the turn things have taken in recent months. After the World Cup, I was under the impression that we all were committed to working together to build on that success. However, the ever-widening rift between the JFF and the team is very alarming. Numerous overtures to each of you to voice my concern and try to assist with a resolution, continue to be met with noncommittal, generic response."

The Bob and Rita Foundation also announced that it would cease funding the JFF partnership. Via the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations and other partners, Marley had raised US $2.7 million in support of our 'Reggae Girlz". Marley, described as the 'Fairy Godmother' of the Reggae Girlz assured them that she will continue her support with her Football is Freedom initiative.

Jamaicans shine abroad

Three Canadians with Jamaican roots have been appointed to the Order of Ontario for 2023: Gervan Fearon, president of George Brown College; retired internist, Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong; and poet Dwayne Morgan.

Fearon, of Jamaican parentage migrated with his family to Canada in 1968 and is president of George Brown College. He is the former dean of the Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (named for the late Jamaica-Canadian business guru) at Toronto Metropolitan University and also served at Brock University, and Brandon University.

Dr. Ho Ping Kong has been lauded as a legendary diagnostician. The UWI Graduate in Medicine was the founder of the first division of Internal Medicine at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital. His book The Art of Medicine: Healing and the Limits of Technology is a best-seller. The University Health Network named an educational centre – The Ho Ping Kong Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice in his honour.

Morgan, son of Jamaican immigrants to Canada is a celebrated poet of the spoken word. He was twice the Canadian National Poetry Slam Champion and was a 2016 finalist for the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2013, he was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame.

Congratulations to my dear friend British-Jamaican Yvonne Wilks-O'Grady who was recently conferred with the Order of the British Empire by King Charles, in recognition of "her remarkable impact on the media landscape in the United Kingdom and Jamaica."

 

Yvonne's media journey in the UK includes Root Magazine, Voice Newspaper, The Weekly Journal, Pride Magazine, Readers Digest, TV Guide, New Woman Magazine, and Weekly Gleaner. In Jamaica she played a pivotal role in the transformation of Radio Jamaica into the RJR Communications Group. Yvonne is dedicated to special needs projects, inspired by her daughter Savannah who is on the autism spectrum.

 

Farewell Prof. Edward Baugh

 

Those of us who were lucky enough to have sat at the feet of Professor Edward Baugh will always have that voice in our heads, delivering his own and Walcott's lines. He was a generous mentor, reading countless manuscripts including my own, for which I am forever grateful.

 

We last heard him at Yasus Afari's Poetry Festival where Prof Baugh shared in verse memories of Portland, his birth parish. We delighted in "Carpenter's Complaint" about "that mawga foot boy" who passed him by, despite building his father's house to give the making of his late father's coffin to someone else. At the end of his readings, we were on our feet with sustained applause.

 

Prof Baugh's beloved wife Sheila was ever at his side, a warm and elegant couple. Our deepest condolences to her, daughters Sarah and Katherine and other family members. May his great soul rest in peace.

 

Our 50^th Wedding Anniversary

 

Hubie and I celebrated our 50^th Wedding Anniversary last month with family and close friends. Tony Lowrie was Emcee, our children Anita and Noel gave the welcome and Tony Chin raised the toast. Archbishop Kenneth Richards blessed the occasion, and our Pastor Father Richard Brown blessed the cake baked and decorated by Anita.

 

We were entertained by Leslie Chin who sang his own composition, Patrick Chin and a Hawaiian Dance by Valerie Chin Burman. Our friend Horace 'Natchy' Campbell who had introduced us, took us down memory lane recalling how we sang and worshipped together. We thank God for taking us to this milestone, and our loved ones for their outpouring of good wishes.

 

Jean Lowrie-Chin is Executive Chair of PROComm, PRODEV and CCRP.

 

lowriechin@aim.com

Photo from. The Visit Jamaica website 

 

 

 

Stepping up and reaching out

Jamaica Observer column published 11 December 2023

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Even the most cynical tribalist should pause to celebrate the findings of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) as Chairman Keith Duncan outlined the country's economic achievements in the first six months of our current financial year, April to September 2023.

Duncan noted the key highlights:

·       "For the second consecutive month, the inflation rate (5.1% for October 2023) has remained within the BOJ's target range but is projected to rise above the target between December 2023 and March 2025

• For April-September 2023, Tax Revenues exceeded the Second Supplementary Estimates by $6.9B (1.8%) while total Expenditure was marginally in line with the budgeted estimates

• Jamaica records a Current Account Surplus (CAS) of US$241M, marking the first surplus in over two decades

• Net International Reserves (NIR) stood at US$4.6B at end-October 31, 2023 and remain more than adequate

• Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was estimated to have grown by 1.9% for the July-September 2023 quarter."

Duncan noted that tourist visitor arrivals continue to exceed pre-COVID levels: "In the September 2023 quarter, Jamaica welcomed 678,057 tourists, a year-over-year increase of 8.8%. Visitor arrivals for the September 2023 quarter showed a 7.7% increase compared to the pre-pandemic period of September 2019." He said an additional 2,500 hotel rooms will be added next year as well.

International rating agencies have taken note of our progress with the Moody's Investor Service adjusting the country's economic outlook from Stable to Positive, following positive evaluations by Standard and Poor's Global Ratings in September 2023 and Fitch Ratings in March 2023.

Project Star widens focus

Of course, the elephant in the room is crime. States of Emergency have been declared in five parishes. Acknowledging that we must address the root of this national affliction, there are initiatives to hire more social workers and HEART-NSTA courses are being offered free of charge. Wearing yet another hat, Keith Duncan, founder of Project STAR, the social and economic development initiative will be extending its programme to the Salt Spring district in St. James. The programme, which is a collaboration between the PSOJ and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is focussed on unattached youth, linking them to training and employment opportunities as well as involving them in sports activities.

We should acknowledge that the JCF have been the initiators of the largest sports club in Jamaica which has influenced many young people for good and provides an excellent alliance for the work of Project STAR. The project's activities have been going strong in east Downtown Kingston, Savanna-la-mar and May Pen.

Big boost for education

Over the past year, the Digicel Jamaica Foundation has built out six 'Smart Rooms' at Mineral Heights Primary, Four Paths Primary, Homestead Primary, Esher Primary, Unity Primary and Morant Bay Primary. Each Smart Room is equipped with the latest technology and interactive learning tools, including 12 laptops, 12 tablets, a smart board, and a printer. There are four other such projects in the pipeline.

Meanwhile they are funding extensive renovation underway at the Hope Valley Experimental Special Education Centre, described as "a beacon of inclusive education for special needs children" and the early childhood institution at the Bull Bay Primary and Infant School, ensuring their certification.

Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, noted at the signing of an MOU with the Ministry of Education, "We believe in the transformative power of education and are honoured to partner with these institutions. We are excited to contribute to the growth and development of these schools, ensuring that they provide the best educational experience for their students."

 

Marubeni shares the joy

Marubeni senior executives distributed scores of care packages last Thursday at the Drews Avenue and Mountain View Primary Schools. Mo Majeed, CEO of Marubeni Caribbean Power Company, Damian Obiglio Senior VP for Caribbean Operations, Senior VP Keisuke Harada and VP Takuya Kokawa assisted in unloading the hefty packages each containing two weeks of groceries for a family of four.

Parents, teachers and students at both schools gave a lively welcome to the group while children asked to hear Japanese expressions.  

"This marks the second consecutive year that Marubeni has undertaken such a meaningful outreach programme with Food For The Poor," said Majeed. "Last year, we directed our efforts towards supporting the Hart Hill community in Portland, and this year, we are extending our reach to touch the lives of students in Kingston…  It is a hands-on approach as we are committed to making a difference through personal interaction with the people we serve."

IGT supports teen moms

 Last month, multinational International Gaming Technology company (IGT) upgraded their high tech After School Advantage Centre at the Mustard Seed residence for teen mothers, Mary's Child. IGT's managers toured the facility recently, providing a memorable Christmas treat, gifting the 13 teenagers and 12 babies at the residence. 

"The world has become more technology-centric … There is an unprecedented increase in women pursuing STEM careers, and the call for more women in STEM careers is ongoing," advised Debbie Green, IGT Jamaica General Manager. "This is an opportunity to make your mark."

Since 2011, long before 'STEM' became a buzz acronym, IGT has been creating these well-equipped centres throughout the English-speaking Caribbean in charitable residences and community centres. Jamaica has 15 of the 40 now in operation.

CCRP reaches out

CCRP's diligent Caring Committee members and parish representatives have been distributing packages of groceries and personal care products valued $650,000 to needy elders islandwide. The willing participants are Caring Committee Chair Verla Seymour, former Chair Irene Walter, Western Convenor Dr Norma Taylor, North East Convenor Pixley Irons,  Board Director Peter Mais for Portland, Rev Franklyn Sephestine for St. Thomas, KSA parish representative Ludwig Streete, Rev Recardo Malcolm and Sister Yvonne Stevens of the Salem Circuit of Moravian Churches, Rev Barrington Litchmore, Patricia Christie and Elet DeSouza of Providence Church, Central Jamaica Caring Committee members Peggy Russell and Leighton Ritch, Rev. Monneica Duncan of St Marks Anglican Church, Rev Eddie Jennings of the Church of the Lord's Transfiguration, Sonia Hurd and the Hope United Seniors Exercise Group and Westmoreland Parish Representative Charmaine Allen.

iCreate Founder Wilson is back

If resilience were a person, its name would be Tyrone Wilson. The intrepid founder of iCreate which has been listed on the Junior Stock Exchange since 2019, is back in the saddle as Executive Chairman after his resignation in September.

The young visionary had founded iCreate to provide skills training and development of creatives in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Thousands of creatives benefitted from their courses, including 500 CCRP members to whom they offered free IT introductory courses.

iCreate's reformulated board comprises Wilson, private equity investor Anthony Dunn, Adrian Smith, Larren Peart and marketing expert Donovan White; I am acquainted with the latter two and have the highest respect for them. With Visual Vibe and payment company WiPay as subsidiaries, and the goodwill of their stakeholders, iCreate is geared for a successful re-embarkation.  

Season's Blessings

As I will be taking a few weeks off from my column, here's wishing you all a safe and peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Jean Lowrie-Chin is Executive Chair and Founder of PROComm, PRODEV & CCRP.

lowriechin@aim.com

 

Photo Captions 

 

1.     Digicel Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels (right) and Digicel Foundation Board Director Ewort Atkinson assist Head Boy Daniel Hanson (front row, right) and Head Girl Sasha -Gale Cayman as they work on laptops in the Smart Room at the Four Paths Primary and Infant School, which was officially opened last month. The lab, which has 24 workstations, was established by the Digicel Foundation under their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Initiative.

 

2.       Marubeni Caribbean Power Company CEO Mo Majeed as he engaged with the little ones at Hart Hill Infant School at an outreach event in Portland.

 

3.       Liza-Marie Brown (left), IGT Senior Marketing Manager, joins Nadia Williams (centre), Administrator at Mustard Seed Communities, Mary's Child, and Nicholas Spence (right), IGT Sales Manager cut the celebratory cake at the company's Christmas Treat at Mary's Child, located in Papine, St Andrew.

 

 

 

COP28 – We feel the heat

Jamaica Observer column published 4 December 2023

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

 

When our children were little, our Saturday ritual was an early morning a visit to Hellshire Beach. Our little ones would play in the sand, wade at the edge of the water and enjoy the soft morning sun.  That beach has now disappeared. The hut where we bought fish and festival, several metres from the shoreline, is now at its edge.  There are similar stories all around the island and yet we continue to be cavalier about climate change.

 

Environmentalists like Eleanor Jones, founder of Environmental Solutions and Diana McCauley. Founder of Jamaica Environment Trust have been schooling us and warning us about Jamaica's vulnerability as a member of 'small island developing states' (SIDS).

It is encouraging that Jamaica and our Caribbean neighbours are well represented at COP28, happening now till December 12 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international climate summit, which has been held mostly annually over the past thirty years.

 

The conferences have yielded steps towards mitigating the effects of climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in 1997 and the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. With 195 signatories in the following year, the Paris Agreement, "mobilized global collective action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, and to act to adapt to the already existing effects of climate change."

 

This year's COP28 with its theme, "Unite. Act. Deliver" is taking place as our planet and our own Jamaica have been recording our warmest temperatures. This is the harbinger of forest fires, floods, a clear and present danger to food security.  After a long dry summer and then two short days of flood rains, our farmers are suffering from repeated bouts of damaged crops.   

 

Developed countries are responsible for some 98 percent of greenhouse gas emissions but it is the developing countries that are suffering most from them. Billions were pledged over the past four days to address this, while a number of large fossil fuel (oil/gas) companies pledged to reduce methane emissions to a minimal level by 2030.

"Extreme weather is destroying lives and livelihoods on a daily basis – underlining the imperative need to ensure that everyone is protected by early warning services," said Prof. Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization which has raised an alarm at the rapidly melting glaciers around Antarctica, resulting in rising sea levels.

With our resort towns, farms and fisheries at risk, Jamaica and our faithful investors have an important role in holding the countries and companies to the pledges coming out of COP28.  

Jamaica rates high for tourist safety

On a positive note, Jamaica has been rated as one of the safest Caribbean and Latin American destinations by the renowned Gallup Inc. According to its findings from a survey in 141 states, Jamaica scored 75 out of 100, "coming slightly ahead of the US territory of Puerto Rico at 74; followed by Brazil, 73; Argentina, 70; Mexico, 66; Venezuela, 66; the Dominican Republic, 64; Peru, 61; and Ecuador, 59."

The report published in the Jamaica Observer also noted: "According to [Tourism Minister Edmund] Bartlett, 1.05 million airline seats have been secured from nearly 6,000 flights coming into the island out of the United States — Jamaica's biggest source market — during the winter season which begins on December 15. The surge in airlift, he said, represents an increase of 13 per cent over winter 2022/2023, when Jamaica recorded 923,000 airline seats."

Posting on social media over the weekend, a euphoric Bartlett wrote, "Jamaica wins big at World Travel Awards 30th Anniversary Banquet in Dubai tonight. Minister Bartlett received on behalf of Jamaica, two awards: World leading Family Destination and World Leading Cruise Destination! So proud of the great piece of Rock I represent - JAMAICA."

 

With our continued success in the industry, last Friday MBJ Airports Limited welcomed the inaugural flight of Norse Atlantic Airlines from London (Gatwick), UK. Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports remarked that Jamaica was "one of their first international destinations. Our aim is to foster your growth; recognizing that you are a new airline, we are thrilled to partner with you and establish a mutually beneficial relationship going forward."

The inaugural flight had 185 passengers on board, including notable representatives from the UK and Nordic consumer press, Commercial Director at Norse Atlantic Airways, Baard Nordhagen and Torrance Lewis, JTB UK's District Sales Manager.  

Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport noted, "This is a significant milestone in the relentless and collaborative efforts that have gone into connecting two diverse, culturally rich regions by the key stakeholders in the aviation industry."

Guyana's sudden attraction

All was quiet around the border shared by Venezuela and Guyana until the latter struck oil and gas; then a deluge of investors descended on the country. Suddenly, Venezuela announced that it was contesting a previous ruling on the legal border between the two countries and would be holding a referendum on December third on the matter.

Last Friday the International Court, the United Nations' top court, ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana's control over the disputed territory, the 160,000 square kilometre Essequibo territory, but did not order a ban on Venezuela's planned referendum on the territory's future held yesterday.

Both Guyana's President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez described the decision as a victory. By the time this column is published, we would have heard the results of the Referendum which have neighbouring states and CARICOM on tenterhooks.

In a Jamaica Observer report Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith was quoted as saying, "The Government of Jamaica remains firmly committed to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Jamaica fully supports the work of the ICJ and its ability to deliver justice where there is breach of the United Nations' founding principles in an impartial, transparent, and independent manner. In this regard, Guyana can continue to count on Jamaica's support of the Caricom position in defence of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity."

Mercy for Haitian refugees

The responses from Portland residents regarding the treatment of Haitian refugees have been interesting. Erica Curtis was quoted on the news that we should have a more Christian-like approach to the Haitians, accepting them as 'That's what Jesus says.'

One can understand the resistance of some Jamaicans to this approach as there have been frightening reports on gang warfare in Haiti. However please remember that headlines do not always tell the full story on a country and its people. Haiti is far ahead of us in art, craft and iron works.  They carve expressive figures even from the smallest pieces of wood. One is greeted by exquisite iron designs at the airport.

With Jamaica facing a labour shortage, perhaps there may be promising workers among those who are fleeing Haiti. They should be given a chance.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is Executive Chair of PROComm, PRODEV and CCRP

lowriechin@aim.com