Long Live The Long Suffering People of Jamaica!

Queen Elizabeth II

Sir Patrick Allen
Governor General of Jamaica

There are many things that we do which reflects our relationship with Britain. Jamaica has maintained a relationship with the Crown even after we gained independence from Britain in 1962, and we still have a Governor General (GG) representing the Queen in Jamaica. I believe that the current GG is the least popular GG we have ever had. The Queen even in death is probably more loved in Jamaica than Sir Patrick Allen. I have done my little informal poll and I found out that very few persons know him. 

It is clear to me that when  we became politically independent, our founding fathers had now developed a new type of relationship with our former colonizers. It probably was felt that as a small country there would be more benefits with this type of relationship. We should note that the people of Jamaica have always had a special love for the Queen and therefore for years there has been no national push to have our own head of state. 

There is now a new move to enlighten the people about our past relationship with Britain and persons are now questioning this continued monarchical relationship. My position is that from a cultural perspective there is  need for a change, but this will not rebound in any other benefits for the country. Removing white royalty and replacing it with black royalty will not by itself take us out of the gutter of problems this country is now facing.  Since independence our own Jamaican Leaders have not generally done a good job of moving this country ahead. Just think of what we went through during the 1980's and also that FINSAC period.

If we were still a colony of Britain, many feel that crime and corruption would not be so high. Britain has taken a disproportionate amount from the nation's coffers in the past and that has changed to a small minority of Jamaicans now getting that disproportionate amount.  It is now. 'Long live the King', which will change to 'Long live the President' and  it might still be 'Long live,  the long suffering people of Jamaica! 

Notwithstanding that, let's look forward to the changes and a better day for Jamaica Land we Love.

This Broadcast on Crime is Worth Listening To

Vernon Derby

Last year in a broadcast on CVM Television to the nation just before the start of the New Year, I made a passionate plea to our leaders to act decisively and deal with  challenge of crime.  The year 2022 is now coming to an end and the level of crime and specifically murders continue unabated. The polls have showed that the nation's confidence in the Minister of Nation Security and the Commissioner of police is at an all time low.

Crime is a burden on the health system and it is also a burden on our economy. It is time the nation rise up and demand that short term and long term measures be put in place to deal with this cancer which is eating away at the heart of the country.

CLICK HERE  TO LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST

MP Morland Wilson Delivers Water To His Thirsty Constituents

International Beach Clean-up Day

MP Morland Wilson
Westmoreland Western

MP Morland Wilson is asking persons to join community members on September 17, 2022 at the Negril Community Center at 9 am, to help cleanup the beautiful seven miles beach, for the International Coastal Clean up day.

MP Morland Wilson's Presentation To Parliament

In his presentation to parliament recently, MP Wilson reminded the house that in his 2021 report to this honourable house, about eighteen (18) communities were without regular potable water in the constituency. He also reminded house members that he reported that sections of Blackness, his hometown, had been without water for 30 years. He informed the house also that Blackness is fully connected, and that all sections of Blackness now have water

MP Morland told the house  that on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at 2:00 pm, he joined Minister The Hon. Matthew Samuda in commissioning the Nonpareil/Retirement/Orange Hill Water Project. This water project cost JAD475 million and it serves over nine thousand (9,000) residents in nine (9) communities and districts.  

The MP said that he toured the Moreland Hill community with the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development – The Hon Desmond McKenzie, to scope the possibility of implementing a water system for some 9,000 residences. Moreland Hill is the home of many small businesses, Moreland Hill Primary and Infant School and the world-renowned Jamaica Giants Sculpture Park & Art Gallery. MP Morland said that he knows that residents have been waiting for over 60 years, but it’s only two years since the community has a working MP, so he is asking the residents to be a bit more patient.

The MP went on to say that it is often said water is life and residents, businesses, and hoteliers in Negril have been waiting with bated breath for the Negril Water Improvement Project. This new system he said, will pump water from Roaring River to Negril; which will pass through the five (5) electoral Divisions; Friendship, Grange Hill, Little London, Sheffield, and terminate in Negril. 

MP Morland Wilson converses with Mathew Samuda while other
officials look on

Let there be water!

The Crime Continues - Williamsfield This Time. The PM and Parliament Must Act Now!

Killings in Williamsfield Manchester

I don't have fingers to type all the reports of crimes coming in. Some persons have even stopped subscribing to this blog because they say that the crime depresses them. I see persons blocking roads because of poor road and transportation conditions, persons getting all caught up with the Queen and Jamaica becoming a Republic, but the high levels of murder that as a people we continue to tolerate is unbelievable. If the people do not care then why should the government care?

I just received a report from a former Minister of Government and also community leaders, that tragedy struck today in Williamsfield, at Jaro's Restaurant & jerk centre. Three individuals were shot, and two died. 

Are we waiting until the crimminals start killing our leaders before take decisive operative and strategic decisions to deal with this mayhem in our county. It tan BAD.

Police on the scene

Note: 

Some persons have contacted me about the blog which reported about the child who lost his life by drowning at Campion College. Some persons are adamant that the youngster died due to epilepsy and not by drowning. I told them that give a little more time and the autopsy could proof that he died from a heart attack. You see many are not concerned about the youngster who has drowned but the name of Campion College must not be sullied.

What a ting!

Robert Montague Has Ignited a Hot Debate! Listen To SpotOn on Riddim FM

Fitz Jackson and Robert Montague

MP Robert Montague

Monday, September 19, will be a day that my listeners will never forget. A man who is an experienced politician and who has served his country and his political party in various positions, will speak his mind on a number of issues. Some of these issues I expect him to bring up should resonate well with Jamaica. Some might raise the political temperature. Robert Montague who is one of the most articulate and humerous politician, will be SpotOn on Riddim FM.

MP Fitz Jackson

We can also look forward in the near future to hear MP Fitz Jackson talk about consumer matters and also some matters which both men seem to agree on. Fitz Jamaica for sometime now, has been highlighting how the banks have been functioning which sometimes is not in the best interest of the people.

It is great to see both men supporting consumer matters and other matters that I along with member of the public have been pushing for a long time. Are we looking at unity on certain issues between both political parties and the general public? Interesting days are ahead. Stay tuned to SpotOn on Riddim FM.

We could be looking at a game changer in Jamaica!

Elaine Walker-Brown

Elaine Walker-Brown

Elaine Walker Brown, Chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation Women Committee and President of the St. Catherine Football association, will join me on Monday, September 19, to talk about her community and also football. This woman is a leader and she will have plenty to say about her community and sports nationally and internationally. Could she be the President of the Football Association? Only time will tell

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Click HERE  To Listen to Riddim FM

The studio line for Riddim FM is: 876 534-6999 and the office lines are  876 678-7134 and  876 679-2947. WhatsApp me your voice mails to play on air at 876 816-5261 Riddim is on the FM band at 102.1, 102.3, 102.5, 102.7, and 102.9. Demand for advertising and sponsorship might be in high demand for the show so make a call soon to one of the office numbers.

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Rocky Meade Will Not Take Up Position of Cabinet Secretary.

Statement from Office of The Prime Minister From Lieutenant General Rocky Meade, the immediate former Chief of Defense Staff:

Ret'd Lieutenant General Rocky Meade

I was advised by the Office of the Cabinet that I would receive a letter of appointment, from His Excellency the Governor General, through the Office of the Services Commission, for the post of Cabinet Secretary on the recommendation of the Prime Minister with input from the Public Services Commission.

After almost four decades of service to the people of Jamaica, I was convinced to continue to serve and had initially indicated my intention to accept the offer.

Although I was invited by the Public Services Commission to be considered for the post while I was still a serving officer, the current public discourse does not provide a sufficiently settled environment for the assumption of such a significant office and I will therefore seek His Excellencies’ understanding of my decision to decline.

I would again like to thank His Excellency the Governor General, the Most Honourable Prime Minister and the Public Services Commission for the consideration and confidence and appreciate their understanding of my position.

 

 More Reading

Appointment notice.                                                      

What's Happening - September 16, 2022

Student Drowns at Campion College

Someone just sent me a message telling me that Jordon Gibson a Campion College student drowned in the school pool yesterday. According to reports, this student suffered from epilepsy. 

Someone needs to tell me, why do you allow someone with epilepsy to go into a pool and the person is not closely supervised? The story on the Internet said that the doctor gave the go ahead for this student to participate in swimming. I am sure that the doctor did not say that the student should go into the pool without proper supervision. 

Someone must be held accountable for this incident. 

Those Stolen Cows Destined to become Juici!

Cows Have been Loaded

I saw a release from Juici Patties about their staff members who found themselves getting scammed by cow thieves. What was embarrassing was that the workers went to pick up these animals with one of the company's truck.

I have some questions to ask:

• Why did the company have to advertise  that it wanted cows to buy?
• Did the company ask RADA to give them a list of registered farmers who are authorized to sell these cows.?
• Did the workers know the persons who they were buying these cows from?

I must say, "Only in Jamaica'.

The following is a statement from Juici Patties:

Bluefields Police Station in Westmoreland in Deplorable State!

 

There are major concerns about the condition of the Bluefields Police Station  in Westmoreland. The Health Inspectors report is not looking good at all. The following table below gives you an idea of some of the '0' scores given for the areas inspected:

CATEGORY	Wt*		Sc*
For Structural integrity	2	-	0
Housekeeping	2	-	0
Clean Floor	1	-	0
Clean Walls	1	-	0
Clean Ceiling	1	-	0
Food Storage	5	-	0
Kitchen	5	-	0
Dining Room	5	-	0
Provision for Physical Challenge	5	-	0
First Aid Available	2	-	0
Absence of Pest	5	-	0
Key:
*Wt:  Weight
*Sc:   Score

Under the section headed Compliance Result the inspector indicated Unsatisfactory. This means that the station is unfit as a place where any one should be working in. This is a government institution, and probably if it was a private entity, it would be closed Indications are that some members of the force at the station are becoming restive and it is hoped that the Ministry of National Security will act soon to remedy this unsatisfactory state of affairs at the Bluefields Police station.

If action is not taken soon, then the station could be closed by the health department. The police could also take protest action.

Video of the station

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Fire in Manor Centre, Kingston

 

I understand that there was a major fire at Kemlani in Manor Centre this morning. If you were the area and you have pictures and can give me further information then WhatsApp me at 876 816-5261. 

Former JDF Head, Rocky Meade appointed Cabinet Secretary

 

Lieutenant General Rocky Ricardo Meade CD, JP, PhD

Lieutenant General Rocky Ricardo Meade CD, JP, PhD, has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service.

 

Meade will succeed Ambassador Douglas Saunders who will be stepping down on October 1. Ambassador Saunders has been Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service since June 2008.

 

Prime Minister Minister Andrew Holness notes that:

 

“Meade’s years of experience in government will be an asset to the public service and a crucial part of our continued thrust toward efficiency and service excellence.

 

I would like to thank the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Saunders for his decades of committed service to the Jamaican people culminating in his work as Cabinet Secretary. He has demonstrated integrity, accountability and commitment to the Government of the day and the people of Jamaica. After such service of distinction, he has earned the gratitude of the public service and the country.”

 

In responding to his appointment, Meade was optimistic about his new role:

 

“I am humbled and honoured to be considered for this critical role. I pledge to further the positive evolution of the public service for the benefit of the wider society.

 

I would like to thank the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Saunders, for his guidance and support as I move into this new position.”

 

Meade will assume his role as Cabinet Secretary on October 1, 2022.

More Reading

Rocky Meade will not take up position.