‘I’m not happy,’ says mom after Clarendon mass murderer hearing Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News
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The mother of the young woman who was slaughtered along with her four children at their home in Cocoa Piece, Clarendon, in June, Gwendolyn White McKnight, says she is disappointed in the defence attorney representing the confessed killer in the mass slaying.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court in Kingston on Thursday following a sentencing hearing for Rushane Barnett, the convict who is also a relative of the victims, White McKnight’s pain was evident.

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She raised several questions as a mother and grandmother in mourning, all of which she directed at defence attorney Tamika Harris.

At the senetencing hearing on Thursday, Harris requested that Barnett be given 15 fewer years in prison time than the 60 years recommended by the prosecution.

The victims, Kimesha Wright, 31, and her children: Kimanda Smith, 15; Sharalee Smith, 10; Rafaella Smith, five; and 23-month-old Kishawn Henry Jr, were reportedly murdered between the night of June 20 and the early morning of June 21. They were found with stab wounds and their throats slashed.

Barnett entered guilty pleas to five counts of murder in relation to the killings in July.

His sentencing was on Thursday delayed until October 20.

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JPS preparing for severe weather system this weekend Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The Jamaica Public Service says, in light of the approaching severe weather system expected to impact the island starting this weekend, it is mobilising crews and other critical elements to manage its effects.

In a release Friday, the company is also encouraging the public to take steps to secure their households and personal safety.

“Persons should take stock of trees on their premises which could pose a danger to their homes or to power lines, and trim these where it is safe to do so,” JPS said, adding that people are cautioned not to attempt to cut trees which are already close to lines, as this could result in electric shock or loss of life.

The power company is also encouraging the public to ensure they have supplies on hand, including flashlights, battery-operated radios, non-perishable food items, and water.

“Importantly, persons who make use of generators should ensure that they are in good working order and properly connected to their home system,” JPS said.

JPS also reminded customers that the severe weather system may result in extended power outages, as has been experienced in neighbouring territories.

“Once the system has passed, members of the public must avoid downed power lines,” it added.

It advised that after the passage of the storm, JPS will follow its restoration protocol to have power returned to those who lost supply.

It said the restoration protocol is structured as follows:

The system is assessed for damage;Power is restored to essential services such as water pumps, hospitals, communications etc;Critical loads and large populated areas are addressed;Smaller population centres are addressed;Small pockets of customers and individuals are returned to normalcy.

JPS said it remains dedicated to service at the highest levels of safety.

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J’cans told to brace for longer wait for clearance at several ports Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) says it has increased its vigilance and process controls at the various ports of entry which may impact the turnaround time for clearances.

The JCA, therefore, beckons the understanding of the importing public, as the entity operates in accordance with all governing laws.

The JCA said it also wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to facilitating trade, collecting revenue on behalf of the Government, and protecting Jamaica’s borders and citizens.

As a reminder, the Agency in a release sought to implore all importers to provide accurate invoices regarding their shipments, to their agents for a prompt clearance process and reminds importers, couriers, shippers, and customs brokers that all imports are subject to applicable customs procedures, including interventions consistent with its risk management, valuation and other processes.

“The Jamaica Customs Agency is cognizant of the recent queries regarding a particular entity; however, in keeping with our tenets of integrity and confidentiality, the agency will not comment on the specifics regarding any of our clients. We reassure the public that we are driven by our Core Values, CAPIT- Customer-focused, Accountability, Professionalism, Integrity and Transparency in all our operations.

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Bunting accuses FLA of denying cops gun permits because of address Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Former National Security Minister, Senator Peter Bunting has accused the FLA of routinely denying permits to police personnel based on their home address. He has also described the reported act as ‘elitist’.

Bunting levelled the criticism at the FLA on Thursday while making his contribution to the debate on the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act in the Senate. It was approved by the House of Representatives on September 7.

According to Bunting, who is also Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, the police were being denied a gun licence because of their “wrong address”, a situation which he said was putting their lives at risk.

He told the Senate that the FLA was denying hundreds, if not thousands of police personnel gun permits after it claimed they had not established a need to be armed. The former security minister said following past discussions which involved the Police Federation, he was of the view that the policy had been abandoned.

“But the truth is that there continues to be what I would describe as a kind of elitism in invalidating persons who apply for firearms,” Bunting stated.

He mentioned the case of a policeman with five years of service who applied for a gun licence. Bunting noted that like most of the young officers in the Force, this policeman serves in one of the operational units in one of the toughest police divisions.

“They’re the ones who the Minister (of National Security, Dr Horace Chang) is saying they must shoot to kill,” Bunting declared.

He said that after applying, the policeman received a letter from the FLA this month, denying his application. The letter read in part that “Applicant’s area of residence is of concern and is likely to pose a greater risk to the applicant if a firearm is introduced”.

This prompted Bunting to state that “This is a police officer with a wrong address”.

Continuing, he said: “This is a police officer that we’re asking to face down criminals on a daily basis. This is a police officer who, if he doesn’t get a keep-and-care firearm, has to return to his home, in a tough community without a firearm because he’s denied on the basis of his residence”.

“This quite frankly is a disgrace. It is shameful,” Bunting said.

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Belrose Speaks Out On Treatment Of Saint Lucian Women In Canadian Farm Programme – St. Lucia Times News

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The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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The Deputy Chair of the opposition United workers Party (UWP) has spoken out regarding reports of the ill-treatment off Saint Lucian women who went to Canada in that country’s seasonal farm workers programme.

Fortuna Belrose told a news conference on Thursday that the programme had worked well for Saint Lucia, bringing many benefits.

But she admitted that there had been challenges.

Nevertheless, she indicated that there should have been a repository of information on managing the initiative effectively.

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“It is always important that any project we undertake, particularly when it’s the first time we are doing it, that there should be be more due diligence done with respect to the delivery of that particular programme for our women,” the former Minister noted.

And she declared that a UWP administration would have written to Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the treatment of local women on his country’s farm workers programmme.

“I could tell you if it were our government in office, we would have written to Mr. Trudeau a long time ago indicating to him that the behaviour meted out to our women is not acceptable,” Belrose stated.

“We needed to be firm on this,” she asserted.

Headline photo: Fortuna Belrose (Stock image)

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Director de seguridad de LUMA no puede confirmar si vuelos de helicópteros están autorizados

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

El director de seguridad de LUMA Energy, Abner Gómez, indicó en RADIO ISLA que él “no puede confirmar” si los vuelos que están haciendo los helicópteros para inspeccionar las líneas, están autorizados.

“Yo no trabajo con eso. Ser el director de seguridad no significa que yo soy experto en aviación. Yo estoy concentrado en la respuesta a la emergencia. Ese asunto no puede ser una distracción. A mi me consta que la operación que estamos haciendo, que mantenemos cuatro naves volando. (El proceso de recuperación) no se ha retrazado. La inspección se ha hecho y se está haciendo”, expresó Gómez.

Sus expresiones surgen luego de que el exgobernador Aníbal Acevedo Vilá denunció que LUMA Energy había contratado una empresa externa el pasado miércoles para hacer el trabajo de inspección de las líneas. Esto, varios días después del paso huracán Fiona por Puerto Rico y teniendo en su posesión la flota de helicópteros que le pasó la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (AEE). 

Noticia relacionada: La AEE tenía helicópteros, pero LUMA contrata compañía privada para inspeccionar líneas

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« Nous avons un rôle important à jouer, et je tiens à le jouer correctement »

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Rodolphe Saadé, président-directeur général du groupe CMA CGM

De passage aux Antilles, Rodolphe Saadé, président-directeur général du groupe CMA CGM, a rencontré ses différentes équipes sur place ainsi que les acteurs du monde politique. L’occasion de faire un point sur les actions en cours et à venir du groupe en terme d’évolution et d’investissements pour les prochaines années.

Quel est le lien entre les Antilles et la CMA CGM ?

Le lien est tout d’abord historique. La CGM et la Transat de l’époque étaient très présentes aux Antilles. Quand la CMA a racheté la CGM, nous sommes devenus de facto très impliqués dans la présence de cette entité aux Antilles. Depuis, nous n’avons cessé de développer l’activité maritime de la CMA CGM aux Antilles, que ce soit en Martinique ou en Guadeloupe.

Et plus personnellement quel est votre lien avec les Antilles ?


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Épaves et pêcheries médiévales, des…

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Des épaves du XVIIe siècle et des pêcheries du XIIe siècle dans un état de conservation “exemplaire” ont été mises au jour sur les berges sableuses de la Loire, près d’Ancenis (Loire-Atlantique), signe selon les archéologues d’une activité intense autour du fleuve.

“C’est extraordinaire et exceptionnel de découvrir des vestiges d’une telle qualité dans un espace si restreint”, s’enthousiasme Anne Hoyau-Berry, archéologue à l’Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (INRAP).

Peau burinée par le soleil et pantalon beige de chantier, cette archéologue travaille depuis le 16 août sur l’un des trois sites de fouilles déployés au bord de la Loire. Submergées par les eaux une grande partie de l’année, l’île Coton, l’île Poulas et l’île aux Moines sont devenues le théâtre de découvertes inédites.

Près de l’île Coton, une dizaine d’épaves de bateaux des XVIIème et XVIIIème siècles, dans un état de conservation exemplaire, viennent d’être exhumées. Fait rare et notable, ces embarcations, qui portent des traces d’usure, ont été sciemment remplies de pierres et installées sur le flanc, pour créer deux enrochements de plus de 40 mètres de long.

“La première hypothèse, c’est qu’il s’agissait de digues permettant de protéger la pointe de l’île Coton”, explique Mme Hoyau-Berry. “Mais la découverte d’un troisième enrochement perpendiculaire nous fait pencher vers l’aménagement d’un port ou une volonté d’acheminer de l’eau à cet endroit précis”.

Ces barges à fond plat sont caractéristiques des bateaux de charge de l’époque qui transportaient des matières premières (bois, pierres, ardoises, sable), du sel ou du vin.

Longs d’environ 14 mètres, ils sont déblayés pierre après pierre par les archéologues à pied d’œuvre, qui doivent à la fois pomper l’eau remontant du sol et arroser le bois pour éviter qu’il ne se détériore en séchant.

“C’est un travail de fourmi physiquement difficile, reconnaît l’archéologue. Mais la sécheresse de l’été nous a permis de travailler dans de bonnes conditions”.

Et c’est désormais une “course contre-la-montre avant le retour de l’eau” qui s’engage pour les scientifiques, commente Denis Fillon, délégué à la direction de l’INRAP dans les Pays-de-la-Loire et responsable scientifique des sites. Le chantier prendra fin en octobre avec l’arrivée des crues.

– “Comme une autoroute” –

Plusieurs échantillons de bois (sans doute du chêne) ont été prélevés pour définir les essences utilisées, les forêts dont elles proviennent et même le chantier naval d’origine des bateaux.

“Ils sont tellement bien conservés que l’on peut encore observer les traces des outils de façonnage”, reprend Anne Hoyau-Berry. Dans les prochains jours, les archéologues effectueront des fouilles subaquatiques pour regarder de plus près les fondations des enrochements.

En amont, sur l’île Poulas, ce sont trois pêcheries fixes du XIIème siècle, faites de pierres et de pieux en bois, qui ont été découvertes. Disposées en “W”, elles servaient à capturer les poissons qui remontent le courant (saumons) comme ceux qui le redescendent (anguilles).

Appartenant aux seigneurs et ecclésiastiques locaux, elles permettaient de respecter les quelques 150 “jours maigres” par an imposés par l’Église à l’époque. Des traces d’accueil de moulins-bateaux ont également été mises au jour, signe de la densité des activités fluviales.

“Il faut imaginer la Loire à cette époque comme une autoroute, où l’on pêchait et transportait des marchandises”, décrit Denis Fillon. “On est loin de l’image du fleuve sauvage!”.

Ces chantiers archéologiques mobilisant 33 scientifiques, au budget de 1,6 million d’euros, interviennent dans le cadre d’un vaste programme de rééquilibrage du lit de la Loire conduit par Voies navigables de France (VNF), entre Les Ponts-de-Cé et Nantes. Les travaux prévus par VNF devraient démarrer l’année prochaine.

“L’objectif est de redonner une dynamique plus naturelle au fleuve qui a été très aménagé aux XIXème et XXème siècles”, explique Séverine Gagnol, cheffe de l’unité Loire chez VNF.

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Recovery and Development Agency hosts procurement workshop

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: The BVI Beacon

During a procurement workshop hosted by the Recovery and Development Agency on Tuesday, RDA CEO Anthony McMaster and other officials explained the procurement process in detail and fielded questions from contractors.

The workshop began at 9 a.m. in the Village Cay Conference Room and lasted until 3 p.m. Facilitators included RDA Director of Procurement John Primo, Finance Ministry Director of Projects Drexel Glasgow, Lanx Lancix Managing Partner Kenneth Scarlett, and CEO of MWM PKF Consulting Meade Malone.

Discussion topics included project development, project pricing, the BVI Procurement Act 2021 and its 2022 regulations, contractor documentation, the evaluation of tenders, and new fi- nancial reporting requirements.

Participants asked the moderators about the RDA and its processes, including whether or not the agency’s annual budget rolls over, how pre-qualifications work, and how RDA projects are prioritised.

Primary schools

One attendee asked Messrs. McMaster and Glasgow why the new Jost Van Dyke Primary School — which will be erected through a recently awarded $4.3 million contract — was given precedence over the Althea Scatliffe Primary School in Road Town, which was deemed structurally unsound in June.

Mr. McMaster said the JVD school was a project outlined inthe territory’s Recovery to Development Plan in 2018, and that the plans were well under way before ASPS was closed indefinitely.

Mr. Glasgow explained that the ASPS project is currently in its preliminary stages and that only an engineer’s report has been completed so far.

Paperwork

Moderators also spoke about paperwork, including the bills of quantities that contractors are required to provide to itemise project expenditures such as ma- terials, labour, and more.

Speaker Chris Graham, director of BCQS International in the VI, acknowledged the difficulties in pricing projects, but he said contractors must be as exact and accurate as possible using market prices.

The RDA checks these prices by getting estimates on the costs of materials from several local sources, Mr. McMaster explained.

The agency has also hosted other workshops to encourage capacity building.

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Three statutory bodies get new leadership

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: The BVI Beacon

The boards overseeing three statutory bodies have been replaced in recent weeks, bringing new leadership to the BVI Ports Authority, the BVI Airports Authority, and the BVI Tourist Board, according to a summary of Cabinet proceedings published last Thursday in the government Gazette.

The move follows the Commission of Inquiry’s recent criticism of board appointment processes and recommendations to review all statutory bodies and establish a protocol for appointing and removing board members.

On Aug. 29 Cabinet approved the appointment of Roxane Ritter-Herbert as BVIPA chairwoman for a period of three years effective the same day. Along with her, David Penn will serve on the board for three years; Hermia Tench and Kedreana Parson for two years each; and former police commissioner Michael Matthews and Asiyah Grant for one year each.

At the BVIAA, Theodore Burke was appointed the new non-executive chairman for three years effective Aug. 31, and with him are Michael Thomas as non-executive director for a period of three years, and Susan Daly, Kevin Fahie and Selvyn Dawson for two years each.

At the BVITB, Delma Maduro will sit as the chairman for a period of four years from Sept. 1, Cabinet decided during a Sept. 2 meeting.

Ms. Maduro is joined by Henry Prince, Andrew Ball, Keshia Davis Barnes, Gregory Call- wood, Dorcas Fahie, Oren Hodge, Shamora Penn Maduro, Allan Parker, Miles Sutherland-Pilch and Lorraine Wheatley. All were appointed to serve for the same four-year period.

COI criticism

The move comes after appointment practices came under fire in the COI report published in late April following the Miami arrest of former premier Andrew Fahie on allegations of conspiracy to traffic drugs and launder money.

A COI report recommendation suggests that the governor consider “whether it is necessary for any appointments to statutory boards made since 2019 to be revoked.”

The National Unity Government formed under Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley in May later committed to addressing this advice: The NUG reform framework published in June commits to replacing statutory boards members where it is in the “public interest” to do so; establishing a Statutory Boards Commission; reviewing all statutory boards; and establishing a framework for all such boards, among other related measures.

As part of those efforts, former complaints commissioner Sheila Braithwaite was appointed in July to lead a review of all statutory boards to determine metrics including their compliance with financial obligations; the extent to which they apply good-governance measures; and the extent to which they follow a due-diligence policy, among others.

Her appointment — which was due by July 31 — was announced on July 22, and her report is due Dec. 31.

Separately, the NUG’s self-determined deadline for Cabinet to appoint a senior jurist or “reputable attorney” to review guidelines for statutory board appointments was Sept. 1. This reviewer’s report is also due by Dec. 31.

Former boards

Shortly after taking office as premier in May, Dr. Wheatley announced the appointment expirations and resignations of all the board members of the BVIPA and BVIAA.

At the BVIPA, that included Chairman Kelvin Hodge’s resignation and appointment expirations for Roxane Sylvester, Keith Flax, Vincent Wattley and Patsy Lake.

At the BVIAA, the changes included the appointment expirations of Chairman Bevis Sylvester, Ms. Lake, Mr. Hodge and Marlon Chocoutou, as well as the resignation of Nathaniel Isaac.

Dr. Wheatley said at the time that the boards weren’t being dismantled because of any “knowledge of wrongdoing by the most recent membership.”

He added that appointing people to multiple statutory boards wasn’t good practice.

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