Montego Bay, ST. JAMES
Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall is urging Caribbean states to place greater focus on avoiding the consequences of natural hazards, such as hurricanes, by intensifying disaster mitigation programmes.
Professor Hall made the call during his address at the opening ceremony of the Insurance Association of the Caribbean's 26th annual conference at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Montego Bay on Sunday.
The Governor-General noted that Caribbean countries needed to redouble their efforts in the areas of disaster management, given the frequent loss of life and damage to property and the projected increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and floods.
"We in this Caribbean region have every reason to be concerned about our future and so we must implement those policies that can give us at least a fighting chance in the future," he said.
Contributed
Spanish Town, ST CATHERINE
The St. Catherine Parish Council is moving to petition the Jamaica National Heritage Trust to push for the preservation of the Fort Augusta prison, pending the imminent removal of inmates and the proposed demolition of the prison structure.
Councillor Gerval Weir of the Church Pen division moved the motion, noting that Fort Augusta has historic value and holds significant meaning to the culture of Jamaica.
Apart from its cultural significance, Mr. Weir argued that the edifice could be marketed as a tourist attraction.
Rasbert Turner
Mandeville, MANCHESTER
Heavy rainfall this week has left the Bellefield Primary School in Manchester flooded, with classes suspended until Wednesday, June 19. The more than 600 students turned up to flooded classrooms on Wednesday and had to be sent home.
The school, which sits on a hill overlooking Mandeville, is beset by several problems. Recently, bauxite company Windalco, responding to the urgent need of the school for sanitary facilities, built two new bathrooms and wash stands.
However, the problem of flooding remains. According to principal Roydell Johnson, "The recent downpour only served to heighten the concern of the
students, parents and teachers as the school has been a holding tank for the water."
The situation drew the wrath of some parents who demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Education's office on Race Course Road in Mandeville Wednesday morning.
Angelo Laurence
Spanish Town,
ST. CATHERINE
Work could begin soon to redevelop the Church Pen cemetery, following appeals to the National Land Agency by the St. Catherine Parish Council.
Ferdinand Page, acting commercial services manager at the parish council, said the cemetery has been full for some time.
The plight of the residents was highlighted by Samuel Cameron, chief public health inspector for St. Catherine, who said the cemetery was full and that the problem should be addressed instantly.
Councillor for the Church Pen division, Gerval Weir, said lands to the rear of the cemetery were available for the extension of the cemetery.
Rasbert Turner
Falmouth, TRELAWNY
Having submitted 12 entries, William Knibb High School won six gold, five silver and one bronze medals to take pride of place in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Trelawny music final at the Anglican Church Hall last Thursday.
Westwood High School got five gold, three silver and six bronze medals and a merit award for placing second.
Albert Town and Holland High schools got a gold apiece along with three silver medals each, with Albert Town also getting two bronze medals. Cedric Titus got a merit award.
Richard Morais
Mandeville, MANCHESTER
Mile Gully High School in Manchester, recognised over the years for turning out students of excellence, is once again in the spotlight.
The school, which is secluded in the hills of Mile Gully, five miles to the west of Mandeville, is the first in the region to receive the 'Clean School Award' for maintaining its grounds and keeping its environment in a clean and healthy condition.
The award was made by the National Solid Waste Management Authority, as part of its celebrations to mark Solid Waste Management Day .
Angelo Laurence
