MERCY PLEA Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dermon Spence on Tuesday appealed for leniency for two employees facing a $64-million surcharge over 11,121 bags of fertiliser donated by Morocco to Jamaican farmers that remain unaccounted for. A recommendation to recover $64.7 million from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) employees hangs over them after fertiliser stocks went unaccounted for between 2019 and 2023.
Opposition erupts as Green moves to shut down Cuba vote censure debate In a move that appeared to catch the parliamentary Opposition off guard, Leader of Government Business Floyd Green last evening called for a critical debate on an Opposition motion to censure the Government to be halted after just two contributions. After dismissing the Opposition’s motion as “absurd”, Green asked that the debate be closed, invoking Standing Order 38, which provides for the closure of debate. House Speaker Juliet Holness put the question to the House and later said that Green’s request was supported by the “ayes”.
School chairmen urge protection of church, trust interests in board reform The Jamaica Association of Chairmen for Secondary Institutions (JACSI) has backed a Ministry of Education initiative to strengthen governance in schools, while calling for consideration to be given to allowing trusts and churches to appoint the chairmen of their respective school boards. Last month, the Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC), which falls under the Ministry of Education, announced it was moving to recruit board members based on schools’ specific needs and introducing payment for independent directors through a pilot programme
Mayne wins partial court approval in IC fight A lawsuit filed by junior finance minister Zavia Mayne challenging an investigation report by the Integrity Commission (IC) into his statutory declarations can go ahead but without two senior IC officials as defendants, the Supreme Court has ruled. The IC is Jamaica’s principal anti-corruption body. Mayne, like all parliamentarians and most public officials, is required by law to submit annual declarations of his income, assets and liabilities.
Cornwall College principal fears catastrophe with more rainy days ahead WESTERN BUREAU: Heavy rains on Tuesday flooded a classroom at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, St James, forcing administrators to relocate students as the 130-year-old boys’ school continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Principal Michael Ellis confirmed that one classroom in the Upper School had suffered significant roof leaks, while other rooms remain at risk, with damaged roof sections still covered by temporary tarpaulins. The incident comes as Jamaica braces for several days of unstable weather associated with a trough.
Grief grips Scotts Pass after fatal bar shooting “It better a mi dem did kill y’know,” the grieving son of 73-year-old Rainford Bailey lamented on Tuesday, struggling to reconcile himself to the brutal murder of his father in Scotts Pass, Clarendon, a day earlier. Police reports indicate that about 7 p.m., Bailey and another man were sitting outside a shop in the community when a gunman approached them and opened fire. Both men were hit. The shopkeeper reportedly went outside to investigate and was also shot. All three men were taken to the hospital, where Bailey succumbed to his injuries. The others were admitted.
Residents angry as thieves hit Maldon Primary WESTERN BUREAU: There was anger and disappointment in Maldon and Maroon Town, St James, on Tuesday as residents heard news that thieves had broken into Maldon Primary School. The incident resulted in the suspension of classes for the day to give police investigators free access to carry out their investigation and assess what was stolen and damaged inside the building.
‘Kevin Smith killed Taneka Gardner’ - Pathways murder accused continues to reject murder statement Murder accused Andre Ruddock has denied fabricating a story that a detective constable had instructed him to take the blame for killing Taneka Gardner on behalf of late church leader Kevin Smith. Ruddock, who is on trial for Gardner’s murder in the Home Circuit Court, maintained under cross-examination on Tuesday that he was telling the truth. “I am suggesting to you that on October 17, 2021, you, Andre Ruddock, cut the throat of Taneka Gardner,” lead prosecutor LaToya Bernard said. “Not true. Kevin Smith killed Taneka Gardner,” Ruddock answered.
Temporary fix at Princess Margaret Hospital after A&E flooding Flooding in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital in Morant Bay, St Thomas, on Tuesday caused minimal disruption to services, the administrators have asserted. Melecia Linton, the hospital’s chief executive officer, told The Gleaner that the flooding was caused by a gutter from an adjoining building overflowing into the A&E structure. She said the water leaked along the walls of the building and also saturated tiles, but she said the flooding, which began about 8 a.m., was contained about two hours later.
PUZZLING MOVE - Former top public servants question Morrison’s transfer, finance ministry leadership Two former senior public servants have expressed surprise at the transfer of former Financial Secretary Darlene Morrison to a newly created ministry in the position of permanent secretary. Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Carlton Davis and former Financial Secretary Shirley Tyndall said the move was a demotion for the senior public official, even if her pay package remains the same. Davis, a respected former public servant who worked as Cabinet secretary across administrations, said he found Morrison’s transfer at this time to be “curious”.