Jamaica, It Cannot Be Business As Usual

Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

The Governor General
Sir Patrick Allen.

Jamaica needs some changes at this time, and the change should start at the top of the stream with the head of state, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J. My concern is that if he continues longer and the public sees him as ineffective, then when we have discussions about constitutional changes, the people will believe that having a ceremonial president is a waste of time.

The next place we need to make changes is to change some of those who surround the prime minister and the heads of certain organizations. The Prime Minister has the greatest opportunity, besides PJ Patterson, to make Jamaica great. PJ failed us miserably, and we cannot afford to have another long-serving prime minister fail our country. Jamaica has spent too many years since 1972 sliding down a slippery slope. It is time we get up and move!

There are a few members of parliament who need to resign in a dignified way, and they should receive all the accolades that they deserve. At this stage, it is time to go home and enjoy your life with your family and friends. When I mention that, I think of Sista Portia, who was not all that old, and she has spent the best years of her life serving the people. Now, she cannot even enjoy her golden years. Tek sleep mark death. What has happened to Sista Portia can happen to anyone.

We have wasted time arguing about this NaARRA bill, and I am sure that we could spend more valuable time making long-term plans for our country. Someone asked me why the PM did not appoint someone to be in charge of the reconstruction using emergency procurement powers to get things done quickly. I cannot answer that question. 

The performance of some opposition members tells me the JLP will get a fourth term in parliament. While getting a fourth term is good for the JLP leaders, there are other things we need to address.

We need leaders in the public sector who are decisive and pragmatic, have strong personalities, and can get things done with little or no direction or intervention from our political leaders. They just need to follow government policies. Those who are undermining the government should pack their bags and go! When good leaders are missing, we tend to lean too much on our political leaders, and that can be problematic. Of course, I keep hearing about the bureaucracy that is aggravated by the procurement system. Who set up this procurement system? Let's fix it now!

This is Jamaica's last chance to get things right, or else I see a dark tunnel ahead. Some will say that dawg nyam wi supper. PM, we need some new political blood who are genuine leaders and new leaders in the public sector. Too many people only care for themselves. When I listen to our parliamentarians, too much time is spent on the "I" and not on the "We," the people. 

The Melissa reconstruction work must start now and not tomorrow. The next hurricane season is upon us.

I note the negative Auditor General's report in the media about ODPEM. Somebody needs to respond now to the public. Just sending out a press release alone will not work. A political leader is not the best person to respond at this time. We should also record a video response that can be shared on social media.

Mr PM, it cannot be business as usual. We need the best-qualified experts in the respective fields in the public sector to head entities. We need people who are best able to advise the political directorate on technical matters. This is even more important, especially after the impact of Hurricane Melissa. 

Editor's Note

The people are fast asleep, and we must wake up. This is not a time to tear down a government that was duly elected by the people last year, but we can ask them to make some changes NOW!

Auditor General: Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative Report.

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Ernie Smith's Funeral on Saturday, May 16, 2026, beginning at 10:50 EST

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UK Deploys Urgent Hurricane Relief To The Caribbean

Yvette Cooper, UK Foreign Secretary

Alicia Herbert, British High Commissioner to Jamaica

The UK Government is mobilising £2.5m (about $510 million JMD) in emergency humanitarian funding to support the Caribbean region’s recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.  

This funding will support a rapid humanitarian response, including the delivery of emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, to help prevent injury, and disease outbreaks. 

These emergency relief supplies have already been prepositioned in Antigua to ensure they can be rapidly deployed to where they are needed most. UK humanitarian and technical experts are also being deployed to the region to assist with the coordination and delivery of aid.  

 According to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper

“The UK is acting swiftly to support the Jamaican authorities in providing disaster relief and expertise in response to this terrible storm. Specialist rapid deployment teams have also been positioned in the region to provide consular assistance round the clock to British nationals affected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.” 

 British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert OBE, added:

 “The UK stands in full solidarity with the people of Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. We are deeply saddened by the loss and disruption this storm has caused. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected, and we pay tribute to the courage and resilience of the Jamaican people as recovery begins. The UK is committed to supporting Jamaica through this challenging time, working alongside the Government of Jamaica and our partners to assist with relief and rebuilding efforts.” 

Meanwhile, Royal Navy ship HMS Trent is providing a maritime presence in the region to offer disaster response support, if required. The UK Ministry of Defence has also pre-deployed a team to the Turks and Caicos Islands to support all phases of disaster management preparations, response and recovery.  

A specialist FCDO Rapid Deployment Team has also travelled to Miami, ready to provide consular assistance to affected British nationals. These teams include specially trained consular staff members equipped to handle emergency situations, provide immediate logistical support, and liaise with local authorities to ensure British nationals receive the necessary assistance. British nationals in Jamaica should continue to register their presence to receive updates from the FCDO.  

The UK is working with tour operators, the Jamaican authorities and its international partners, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and UN agencies, to ensure humanitarian assistance is delivered to affected areas and meets the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.  

Editor's Note

Our partners are always coming to our assistance in times of crisis. Whatever challenges we might have with our partners, we should support them. We cannot look for support from other places when there are challenges in Jamaica. 

Those who have ears to hear, let them hear.

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SpotOn Tuesday, April 11, 2023

It will be another informative and entertaining SpotOn on April 11, 2023. SpotOn is heard on Riddim FM from 1000 to 1300 EST Monday to Friday. 

Sydney Jump

Nicole Scott-Bonnick (Now deceased)

Mr. Sydney Jumpp will join us for Talk Yu Talk. He is an environmentalist and a painting consultant with over 35 years of experience. You might recall him during a programme with me and Nicole Scott-Bonnick as a representative of Berger 

Erica Donaldson

Erica Donaldson - President C & E Innovational Services. will join me for the Business Hub.  Erica Donaldson, a successful entrepreneur, transforms the lives of others via coaching, consultancy, and training. She is the Founder of C&E Innovational Services Limited, Founder and Programme Director of The International School of Entrepreneurship and Business Development Ltd. (ISEBD) and Lecturer/Curriculum Chair of Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), UTech, Ja.  

Dr Llewellyn Johnson

Our popular doctor, Dr. Llewellyn Johnson will be with us for Your Health Your Wealth. Dr. Johnsons comes to us from the cool hills of Mandeville in Manchester.

Trevor Samuels

Trevor Samuels from the National Consumers League will join me for Consumer Talk. He will be giving some valuable tips as usual to the consumers.

Listen to past programmes:

Click to watch

• The President of the Civil Service Association - Oneil Grant.
• Listen to Wendel Wilkins - The Law and You.
• Leo Bennett climbed to the top of the Transport Authority building in Halfway Tree to make his point.

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Paula Johnson Asontuwa

Paula Johnson Asontuwa a former member of the NDTC has passed on. She was a lead singer in the National Dance Theatre Company Singers.

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FLOW Says Additional 175 Communities Connected To Fast Fibre Network

Stephen Price
General Manager and Vice President

Press Release From FLOW 

Kingston, Jamaica: September 11, 2021 - As work from home continues and online learning resumes, communications and entertainment provider Flow is reporting that it has connected an additional 175 communities to its fibre fast network since January 2021. These communities are in addition to the over 250 which received the company’s fibre-fast service in 2020. Residents and learning institutions in these communities can now access high-speed internet and sophisticated cable TV services as Flow continues its aggressive fibre network build out across the country.

Stephen Price, Flow’s General Manager and Vice President stated, “We continue to invest to connect even more communities across Jamaica. Since January 2020, we’ve connected over 420 communities to our fibre network which means that more than 90,000 homes can now access the internet via our network. We are doing our part, ensuring that our students and teachers can have a better online classroom experience and that employees are able to maintain their productivity while working from home. It also means that all institutions in these areas can now apply for our fibre-fast service which will deliver a faster and more reliable experience.”

Reflecting on the landscape across the country as it relates to access to fixed connectivity, Price also underscored Flow’s role in connecting the unserved and underserved. “We are focused on nation building which means the digital inclusion of all Jamaicans regardless of their community. As such, seventy-three of the communities connected this year are outside of the Kingston/St. Andrew/ St. Catherine region. For areas where we do not yet provide service, we’ve added additional LTE mobile sites to support connectivity. We recognize, however, that the best experience is on the fibre network and so, as the only provider investing in deploying fixed connectivity into every community across the country, we are committed to adding more communities to our network annually.”

Flow is also demonstrating its commitment as a corporate citizen and is supporting hundreds of schools and students via its Foundation. Under its Internet in Schools Programme, the Foundation upgraded the free broadband service that it provides to over 250 schools. These schools were migrated to the best technology and upgraded to the fastest speeds available to help with the online teaching experience.

Eric McLean, Principal of Mountainside Primary School confirmed the enhanced connectivity that his school is experiencing and stated, "The Internet service is much more stable than before and faster. I can now do my Zoom and Google Meet Sessions without the service dropping."

This sentiment was echoed by Dahlia Thompson, Principal of Galina Primary School in Gordon Town, St. Andrew. "Internet connectivity is much better, and all my teachers are now able to access the Internet. We are most grateful for the upgrade," she said.

The Foundation also donated over 300 tablets to students across the country, in partnership with various non-governmental organisations, to help students access online learning.

Flow is continuing its network expansion programme and will add even more communities to its fibre network as well as LTE mobile sites before the end of the year.

Technician working on the line.

Technician working in the bucket.

Shut Down Tourism Because of Covid-19?

The Issues And Our Leaders

Minister Edmund Bartlett

I have received a few complaints from persons about how tourists are able to come to Jamaica and enjoy themselves and Jamaicans are under lock down. They have highlighted the case of a cruise ship which is scheduled to dock here on Monday, September 13, on a no movement day. My understanding is that the ship was booked to stop in Jamaica before, so it would not be wise to prevent the ship from docking on a no-movement day at this point.

I believe that our leaders are in a quandary and making decisions at this time is not easy. My perceptions of the concerns of many Jamaicans are as follows:

1. Increase in spreading of the Covid-19 virus.
2. The country and tourism workers need to earn during this crisis, a crisis which could last a long time.
3. Tourists can enjoy themselves yet Jamaicans cannot enjoy themselves in their own country.
4. The government is playing politics.

What This Means For Us As Jamaicans

The ability to continue to earn is very important, but we have to ensure that all precautions are taken so that we can earn in a safe environment. If people cannot live and earn, then this could lead to instability in the country and therefore result in major social disorder which consequently could become violent!

Everybody should be able to enjoy themselves if we are able to ensure that we minimize the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. The tourists who come here should be required to be fully vaccinated, and they should have a negative covid-19 test result for a certain period prior to visiting the island.

Jamaican's going to Dunn's River generally will not pay with foreign exchange, we not be able at this point require them to be tested before admitting them to the Dunn's River Fall and when they leave, will they go back to their communities unlike the tourists who will leave the country and not spread the virus here. If you understand some of these points then it is not a matter of being fair or not fair but of being practical.

Close Our Borders?

If we close our borders completely then we could end up closing out significant amount of foreign exchange which we also need to fight this virus. Closing our borders for an extended period could mean closing our country and closing our lives.

The challenge is not about Jamaicans not being able to enjoy themselves in their own country yet tourists are able to to so. It is more about protecting Jamaicans from the virus, and protecting the Jamaican economy from collapse.

Finally, we know that in all of this, politics or politricks play a central role. It should not matter which party benefits, but what is better for the people of this country, and the country itself.

Minister Bartlett

Persons wrote me and asked me to contact the authorities about this cruise ship coming to Jamaica on Lock Down Day.  I immediately contacted Minister Bartlett who is the Minister of Tourism and I had a conversation with him. The Minister gave me some good arguments as to why his ministry was doing what it was doing and it seemed logical to me. 

My concern is if we are able to manage those who are visiting on that cruise ship properly, ensure that all have been vaccinated, all have tested negative for the Covid-19 virus and they will have to limit their movements to the areas that they are booked to go, then no problem 'mon'. We need the money because right now we need more spaces and more beds, we need oxygen, we need medications and we need more of other things. We also need the foreign exchange to pay for all of this.

I expect to hear further from Minister Bartlett this afternoon.

Click HERE to read the release from the Ministry.

Afrikan Unity - Spinal Chord

Namibia Broadcasting Corporation is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: 'Afrikan Unity - Spinal Chord'

Time: Aug 17, 2021 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada) and this will take place for four days until August 20, 2021.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/97115364723?pwd=RW5lU3g1ZUtCOHBhVGMwZ3ZQMlBmZz09

Meeting ID: 971 1536 4723

Passcode: 858092

#MarcusGarver #Namibia #Jamaica #NationalHero

Mr. Steele From Manchester With A New Music - 'Soon Come Back'

Nigel Quailo did a song recently with a young girl who also has an amazing voice at a garage in Manchester. Someone used a phone to make a video of the impromptu show. The video has now gone viral internationally. I was so impressed with the video when I saw it, that I had to send out a search warrant to find this talented personality. I had no name nor where he was from but I was able to track him down in a few hours.

Nigel Quailo whose stage name is Mr Steele, was born in the parish of Manchester in Jamaica. He lives in Greenvale in the same parish. Nigel started his musical journey over thirty years ago. He love's to sing and dance but he says that he continues to entertain with his music because that is his passion.

Nigel's says his dream is to make people understand that a dream can only work with the support of the family and good financial backing, but he will never stop from singing. He has performed with URoy, Charlie Chaplin, General Trees and Brigadier Jerry. He has toured Canada and Jamaica with international and local artists.

Nigel Quailo known as Mr. Steele has performed with  URoy, Charlie Chaplin, General Trees and Brigadier Jerry.  He has toured Canada and he has performed across Jamaica with many big international and local artists.  

Click on the link below and listen to his new song. On a scale of 1 to 5 add your score as a comment where:

1 - Very Poor

2 - Poor

3 - Good

4 - Very Good

5 - A Hit

Click to Play

#Reggae #MrSteele #VernonDerby

Breaking News - Speaker Of The House Charged By Police

Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert

I have received a report that the Speaker of the House, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert was charged for placing some boxes in an area where this is not allowed. 

According to the source, The Speaker of The House put some boxes in an area where there was garbage, and where the NSWMA normally collects garbage from. When cautioned by the officer, it is said that Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert apologized to the officer and explained that she was not aware that garbage was not to go there. She subsequently removed the boxes from the area.

I understand that she was detained at the Runaway Police Station for approximately three hours. She will will face the charges in the court.

There was an incident between a Minister and a police officer recently in St. Catherine, and I suggested then that we need to have a protocol for dealing with officials of the state who come into conflict with the law. No one is above the law but we cannot allow officials of the state to be arrested like that. It is possible that one of these days we could hear that a number of Cabinet members have been arrested and the business of the state has to come to an halt.

I am suggesting that where a member of parliament, a member of the senate or even a judge commits certain offences then we should use the ticketing system to charge them. If it is a very serious offence, then application should be made to the Governor General for example for that person to be suspended from public office until the matter is dealt with. Under no condition should members of the security forces have the right to arrest leaders of the state like that. One of these days someone is going to lock up the Prime Minister for breaking the law and that could put the country in a very awkward situation.

Contrary to information being circulated via social media, the Speaker is not in lock-up at this time. I understand that it was an humiliating experience for the Speaker to be detained by the police for over three hours at the police station. She was thoroughly interrogated I have been informed.

#JamaicaConstabularyForce #Jamaica #Politician

Brilliant Covid-19 Story Teller!

Meet Jamaica's  newest and most talented performer. He is excellent at story telling and if you are a believer in great stories, then this one is a story for the big screen. This one would make an award winning movie.

I hope that someone discovers  his incredible talent!

Let me know what you think of this great talent. What stage name would you give him?

This is an incredible story considering that 15 more persons have lost their lives as a result of Covid-19 yesterday in Jamaica!!!

Oliver Samuels Speech At Volier Johnson's Funeral

Outstanding actor, Volier Johnson passed on recently and Oliver Samuels made a memorable speech at his funeral. Click on the picture below in order to view the video.

#Jamaica #OliverSamuels #VolierJohnson #Jamaica #Entertainment #VDerby

Covid-19 Guns Are Barking - Time To Fight Back

Covid-19 Cases Continue To Increase!

The number of Covid-19 cases in the world continue to rise, and yet many Jamaicans are not taking the threat of this virus to their lives, seriously. Many employees are not wearing their masks at their offices and the management of these offices don't really seem to care.

The Prime Minister and his party are reluctant to make vaccination mandatory because this could have a negative political impact. Sometimes I wonder if the anti-vaxers want us to all lose our lives. I recalled that the cry once was, 'We do not have any vaccine' and now the cry is, 'We have vaccine and enough  persons are not taking up the offer'. We are a dichotomous nation. One side pulling north and the side other pulling south and then we wonder why we are not progressing.

How Many Understand The Covid-19 Terms?

I believe that one of the challenges that we have is that persons do not understand why government has implemented certain measures. People still ask, "Why do we have these nightly curfews, Covid-19 only walk a night like duppy, dem it no walk a day?" We cannot understand why the authorities limit the amount of persons who are allowed to attended a funeral for example.

Those who are versed in statistics are not educating us about this positivity rate. Why are we restricting the hours of human contact? I should point out that the job of getting accurate  information out to the public is not just the responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of doctors, scientists and other professionals.

The Probability Of Getting Covid-19

We need to understand why only a limited amount of persons are allowed to attend church services, funerals or even to come together. My understanding is that it is a matter of reducing the probability of getting the virus. While we cannot stop Covid-19 abruptly in its tracks, we can reduce the probability of its spread.

If we have one persons with Covid-19 for example, and that one person can spread it to at least one person each hour, then if we limit the interaction between that one persons and the public from 10 to 5 hours then we could reduce the spread of the virus by 50%, assuming all other things remain constant. If we ascertain that persons who attend funerals have a higher probability of getting the virus and if we increase the number of attendees then we increase the probability of persons getting the virus. If we increase the probability of getting the virus then the probability of our hospital becoming overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients, and for the country to reach a chronic stage with the virus would be extremely high.

We hear talk about this positivity rate and herd immunity and sometimes I am convinced that many of us do not comprehend these terms. If you use a word which persons do not understand, then what you say afterwards might not be understood also. My understanding of this positivity rate is it is the percentage of persons who test positive for Covid-19. A high positivity rate could mean that you have more persons capable of spreading the virus and it can also mean that enough tests are not being done.

The Propagandists

There are many propagandist out there stating that the vaccine has not been properly tested and that the vaccine does not protect you 100% from getting the virus. First, your seat belt for example does not give you 100% protection from being hurt in an accident, but the probability for serious injury and death is reduced by wearing a seat belt so we wear it.  The WHO (World Heath Organization) The CDC(Centre for Desease Contro) in the US would not endorse a drugs for human beings that have not been properly tested by very qualified scientists. We are willing to have a single doctor operate on us yet we cannot trust possible hundreds of scientists worldwide who have developed and tested a drug!

Recent Deaths

We must bear in mind that Covid-19 has caused over 4 million deaths worldwide so far. Here in Jamaica we have had over 1,285 related Covid-19 deaths. News just coming in is that the owner of the Versalles(I assume the name comes from the French word Versallies) Hotel in May Pen has died from Covid-19. His wife is now critically ill.

Jim Thomas

Versalles Hotel in May Pen

I have received information also that Blackie, the owner of Little Ochi has lost his wife and  the owner of Phils Hardware in Kingston is now very ill.

Covid-19 is not a duppy, it is real and it kills. Do the right thing. Please go and take your vaccination NOW and follow the protocols.

More Readings

• What is the Positivity Rate.
• Dr. Ramon Arscott - Jamaican Rhodes Scholar explains what is Covid-19.
• Vernon Derby talks with Dr. Ramon Arscott about Covid-19.
• Corona Virus and its history.
• Ministry of Health Management Clinical Summary - August 13, 2021.
• Corona Cases World Metre.

#Covid19 #Jamaica