What Is Happening - September 30, 2021

 JPS Carrying Out Research

JPS says that it is on a continuing journey to improve customer experience at every point of contact with them.  The company says it therefore needs to hear from its customers so that they have can know what customers are pleased with, and what JPS needs to adjust, in order to satisfy customer expectations.

 As such, members of the Market Research Services Limited’s team may be visiting  premises over the next few weeks to conduct a survey, to give you the opportunity to share important feedback with JPSCo.  JPSCo says that it is  asking that persons spare a few minutes of their time to participate in this exercise, which will help JPSCo to serve you better.

Darien Henry Appointed Principal of Montego Bay Community College

Darien Henry, JP

Media luminary and educator extraordinaire, Darien Henry takes office as  Principal of The Montego Bay Community College. An experienced and transformational principal, Mr. Henry will continue the legacy of Dr. Maureen Nelson and assume responsibilities on October 1, 2021. 

Mr. Henry has a passion for education, and has worked tirelessly and assiduously in the classroom. While he devoted twenty years to media; he is now described as a visionary and vibrant educational leader. 

The Chairman of the Board of Management of M.B.C.C., Mr. Stephen Dear stated “We are expecting Mr. Henry to build on the incredible legacy of his predecessors, most notably Dr. Nelson and Dr. Samuels-Harris. We are excited to welcome Mr. Henry and expect he will bring a new dynamic and transformational energy to 

While at Cumberland High School Henry was pivotal in the turnaround of the institution changing the landscape of discipline while improving literacy and numeracy levels.  

Henry, with his passion for education, is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. 

 Website: mbcc.edu.jm 

 

Bauxite Levy Re-Introduced

KINGSTON, Sept. 30 (JIS):

Hon. Robert Montague

The Government of Jamaica has reinstated the Bauxite Production Levy on Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II coming out of an agreement with Concord Resources Limited.

This follows the acquisition of New Day Aluminium (Jamaica) Limited’s 49 per cent of shares in the company by Concord Resources Limited.

“It should be noted that both parties are against the continuation of the profit share regime,” said Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on September 29.

On September 6, 2018, the Government of Jamaica and New Day Aluminium (Jamaica) Limited signed an Establishment Agreement, which prevented the closure of the bauxite mining operations headquartered at Discovery Bay, St. Ann. 

This saved the jobs of more than 500 workers and contractors and resulted in the creation of Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II, as a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica (51 per cent) and New Day Aluminium (Jamaica) Limited (49 per cent). 

The profit-share agreement between the Government of Jamaica and New Day, which was largely in lieu of the Bauxite Production Levy, extended the agreement to include the operations of New Day’s alumina refinery at Gramercy, Louisiana, United States (US).

The Government’s 51 per cent interest in Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II is managed by the GOJ-owned Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited (JBM).

Mr. Montague informed that in a letter dated July 14, 2021, New Day Aluminium (Jamaica) Limited informed the Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited and other Government of Jamaica members of the Executive Committee, that effective July 1, 2021, Concord Resources Limited had acquired the majority ownership interest in New Day Aluminium from other shareholders in the DADA Holdings Group. 

“Pursuant to this transaction, Concord Resources Limited had acquired the majority interest in New Day Aluminium (Jamaica) Limited,” he explained.

Concord Resources Limited is a metals trading firm, which focuses on the distribution, supply chain, and risk management of non-ferrous metals and raw materials. Headquartered in London, the company operates offices in New York and Hong Kong and serves customers worldwide.

Mr. Montague also informed that the Asset Usage Fee debt of US$3.4 million owed to JBM by New Day will be paid in full by Concord. 

“Concord has already paid half this amount on September 10, 2021. The remaining portion is to be paid by the end of October 2021. These funds would have been paid earlier had Hurricane Ida not impacted the company’s operations in Louisiana, on Sunday, August 29, 2021,” he said.

He noted that there are various other matters that have been discussed and agreed upon.

“These negotiations are to resume on October 6, 2021, to allow for the fashioning of an agreement that effectively treats with Concord’s investment in our bauxite industry,” Mr. Montague said.

China Donates Buses For Vaccination Drive 

KINGSTON, Sept. 30 (JIS):

Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton

The Government’s vaccination drive has been boosted through the donation of two mobile units by the Yantai Municipal People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The vehicles, valued at ¥878,597 RMB, are already in operation and are being managed by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA). 

Dr. Tufton said they will help Jamaica reach its vaccination target of 65 per cent of the population by March 2022. He informed that the Ministry will be seeking to purchase additional units from the manufacturer for the island’s vaccination programme.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, in her remarks said that the donation of the units is a further demonstration of the close friendship and solidarity between the countries and will further boost the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.

“This will bring us closer – along with the receipt in the near future of the Shinopharm vaccines – to achieving the vaccination targets set by the Government of Jamaica,” she added.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Ambassador Tian Qi, said that the donation of the vehicles, as well as medical equipment, which will arrive in the island shortly, will further bolster the country’s response to the pandemic.

He noted that China has been doing its best to provide humanitarian assistance to the international community and supporting global anti-epidemic efforts and will be providing two billion doses of vaccines for the rest of the world by the end of this year. 

Vice Mayor of Yantai, Mu Shuqing, noted that donation forms part of the cooperation between the countries and cities, while Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC, Shandong Provincial Committee, Chen Baiwei, said that the city stands ready “[for] more practical cooperation [with Jamaica] in trade, agriculture, fisheries and people-to-people and cultural exchanges”.  

Consumer Affairs Commission

KINGSTON, Sept. 30 (JIS):

Sasha-Gaye Russell

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reminding consumers of their responsibilities under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

The Act speaks to the promotion and protection of consumer interests in relation to the supply of goods and the provision of services to ensure protection of life, health and safety of consumers and others.

In her address at the CAC’s virtual Consumer Talks session on September 29, Legal Officer, CAC, Sacha-Gaye Russell, outlined responsibilities under the Act that all consumers should observe. These are the responsibility to be aware of the quality and safety of goods and services before purchase; the responsibility to gather all available information and facts about a product or service; and keeping abreast of changes and innovations in the marketplace.

“Take note of the serial number of the appliance that you select, so that after you make payment for that appliance and it is delivered to you, you can check the serial number of the appliance that is delivered to ensure it is the same serial number as the one you selected when you were in the store,” she advised, recommending that consumers test appliances and electronics before leaving the store. 

In the information-gathering phase, she recommended that consumers check consumer product review sites prior to purchase.

 

Ms. Russell also suggested that persons check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to see if there has been any recall in relation to a particular item.

Consumers should also query if the item has been refurbished, the warranty and return policy of the vendor, particularly for high-value transactions, prior to purchase (mobile phones, large appliances, motor vehicles), and retain receipts of purchase, particularly for these transactions.

She informed that under the CPA, the store warranty period should be similar to that of the manufacturer. 

Regarding purchase of a service, she recommended that  consumers research the total cost to ensure that they are aware of all the add-on costs included in the purchase. “It is important that consumers ask all the relevant questions of the provider who is offering the service to ensure they have the budget [for purchase and maintenance],” she said. 

In addition, consumers have the responsibility to think independently and to make choices about well-considered needs and wants, the responsibility to respect the environment and avoid waste and litter contributing to the pollution of the environment, and to be ethical and  fair by not entering into dishonest practices.

“Consumers should not be deceitful about a purchase or transaction, for example, claiming that an item is faulty when the item is not defective,” Ms. Russell said, noting that redress cannot be claimed for items damaged during the installation process or for items that are not used for the purpose for which there were designed.

By the same token, she said the vendor has a responsibility to inform the consumer of all details of the product or service. Consumers also have the responsibility to speak out and inform manufacturers and the Government of their needs and wants; and the responsibility to let grievances be known and inform businesses of dissatisfaction with a product or service in a fair, honest and respectable manner. 

“Through your voice, you impact policy and standards so that better laws are passed and better-quality goods are produced,” Ms. Russell said.

The CAC is the national agency responsible for consumer advocacy. For more information, persons are invited to visit www.consumeraffairsjamaica.gov.jm