Black Immigrant Daily News

Principal Julia Beckles has begun the new academic year as principal of The Combermere School, as she has been reassigned from The Alleyne School.

During a recent online meeting with Alleyne School stakeholders, Beckles, who has been a staple at the St Andrew-situated educational institution, revealed that she had received official correspondence from the Ministry of Education to commence work at The Combermere School from September 1, 2022.

She said:

“I greet you on this day August 31 with some news I hoped not to have shared with you too soon but today is the day that I must say to you that I have been reassigned as principal of the Combermere School effective September 1, 2022.

“I say reassigned because I always understood that I was appointed to the Ministry of Education but assigned to Alleyne School and what that meant, in fact, is that at any time I could be reassigned.”

President of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Neesa Alleyne described Beckles as a wonderful influence on the PTA.

“We can truly say that Ms Beckles has been a wonderful influence on the PTA, she has been at every meeting, she encourages us, she continues to inspire us and we then inspire ourselves to do great things to assist The Alleyne School.”

Alumni President Deidre Cox said that the former principal was a gem to the school and by extension the Alumni Association.

“Every now and then you get the opportunity to meet some special people in this world; I have been fortunate to have met one in the form of Julia Beckles, principal of The Alleyne School.

“Julia has been a gem to the Alleyne School and by extension, the Alumni Association, her love for students, her love for learning, her love for leadership and those qualities have endeared us- the school, the alumni and the members of the association that she serves and worked so closely with over a number of years.”

“Thirty-two years at The Alleyne School, eight years as Principal is no mean feet. We have benefitted tremendously from having her on our side. We know that she will do really well, we have learnt so much from what she has offered us and we really will take that forward as we move into the future,” she stated.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

The Jamaica Customs Agency’s (JCA) efforts to combat illicit trade in the country’s marine space, have been significantly boosted with the acquisition of a new purpose-built maritime patrol vessel.

The craft, an Eduardono 320 patrol boat named ‘Enforcer I’, which is equipped with navigation, communication and safety apparatus, is 37 feet long and has two 300 horsepower engines, which will enable it to manoeuvre high tides at sea while in operation during inclement weather.

Speaking at the recent commissioning ceremony, held at the JCA’s Port Royal base, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Commissioner of Customs, Velma Ricketts Walker, said the vessel’s acquisition is an indication of the entity’s thrust to improve efficiency in its border protection activities.

“This new addition to our fleet is the first of its kind within Customs, and we expect that, in the coming years, the number of these boats will increase by at least four, resulting in a more efficient fleet of boats within the agency,” the CEO said.

She further pointed out that the timely acquisition would be very beneficial on the part of the Sufferance Wharves team, which “has skilfully managed to continue their efficient work”, despite not having all the tools to adequately perform their duties.

“Sea surveillance is an integral part of the team’s duties and, undoubtedly, this new boat, with more speed, larger capacity and the ability to span a wider range, will enhance their capabilities of patrolling the nation’s marine space to combat any illicit or illegal activities that may be intended to enter or exit our borders, while maintaining a strong presence,” the CEO explained.

She reminded that with the assistance of other law enforcement and border regulatory bodies, a collaborative approach is being taken to ensure that the nation and people are protected.

“As such, we continue to advance, to effectively cripple any transnational criminal networks that may want to creep within our borders,” Ricketts Walker pointed out.

The vessel is being added to the fleet of maritime assets owned by the JCA and will assist the agency to intercept unlawful people and cargo approaching Jamaica’s borders by sea, in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard and the Marine Police.

Ricketts Walker noted that maintaining a strong presence in the nation’s territorial waters is a key component in the fight against transnational crimes.

The CEO lauded the longstanding partnerships between the JCA and other law enforcement and border regulatory bodies, namely, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the JDF Coast Guard.

The JCA facilitates trade, protects the country’s borders and optimises revenue collection through collaborative border management.

It assists in safeguarding the nation by anticipating and confronting security threats at the borders and beyond, through partnerships, intelligence and innovative capabilities.

The agency is also an active participant in the Government of Jamaica’s ‘Get Every Illegal Gun Campaign’.

JIS News

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

News

File photo

KRISTIN Paul, 30, an eyewitness to the murder of her common-law-husband Amit Boodoo who was chopped to death in July, was murdered near her Jaipaulsingh Trace, Penal, home on Tuesday afternoon.

The woman was shot to death in a drive-by incident around 3.30 pm, while sitting in a black Nissan Frontier owned by Boodoo’s brother, Prem, proprietor of Ducky’s poultry shop.

Region 3 homicide officers responded and the district medical officer pronounced her dead on the scene.

Details are still sketchy, but preliminary reports are that Paul was the mother of an 11-year old with Boodoo.

Boodoo, 36, a fisherman, was chopped to death in the driveway of his Jaipaulsingh Trace home on July 22 during a quarrel with another man. The man also received chop wounds and both were taken to the Princes District Health facility, where Boodoo was pronounced dead.

Police are investigating whether there is a link between the two killings, less than three months apart.

Initial reports are that Paul was driving along Mohess Road Extension when she encountered Prem, who had some problems with his battery. She pulled aside and got into Prem’s Frontier.

Moments later, a white Axio pulled up alongside and an assailant got out and began spraying the Frontier with bullets.

Witnesses who heard the gunshots rushed to the scene and discovered Paul’s bullet-riddled body in the vehicle. Prem was not injured.

The body was removed and will be taken to the Forensic Sciences Centre for an autopsy on Wednesday.

Region 3 Homicide is continuing investigations.

NewsAmericasNow.com