As we are all aware, the process of greater collaboration between the United States and Cuba is ongoing – step by step. This is already changing the dynamics in this corner of the world. Here in Jamaica, it was remarkable to see U.S. Ambassador Luis Moreno sharing a toast with the Prime Minister and his Cuban colleague at Cuba’s National Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (2nd left), joins in a toast to the Government and people of Cuba. Others (from left): State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Arnaldo Brown; United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Jamaica, Luis Moreno; Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Bernardo Guanche Hernández; and Foreign Affairs Minister AJ Nicholson. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Meanwhile, a recently signed Joint Statement on Environmental Protection is a timely and welcome sign that the two nations will work together on important issues. The regional non-governmental organization BirdsCaribbean is very happy with this development, which will allow much greater scientific collaboration as it works to protect the Caribbean islands’ bird populations. As for me – I am looking forward to the 21st International Meeting in Cuba next year – armed with binoculars and Nils Navarro’s recently published field guide. Here is BirdsCaribbean’s press release:

January 21, 2016—BirdsCaribbean warmly welcomes the news that the Governments of the United States of America and Cuba on November 24, 2015 signed a Joint Statement on Environmental Protection that creates a framework for cooperation on a number of pressing issues, including the protection of endangered species and their habitats, the prevention of wildlife trafficking and the protection of migratory bird species. The U.S. Department of State will be encouraging agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to work with its Cuban counterparts at the Ministerio de Ciencia Tecnologia y Medio Ambiente (CITMA) on this new arrangement, which is a reflection of the new openness and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Judith G. Garber, Acting Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, responded positively to a letter from BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director Dr. Lisa Sorenson, urging deeper cooperation to protect Cuba’s bird life and biodiversity. Coincidentally, the cooperation agreement was signed on the same day that Ms. Garber received Dr. Sorenson’s letter, which notes that the organization’s 21st International Meeting will take place in Cuba in July 2017.

BirdsCaribbean is a vibrant international network of members and partners committed to conserving Caribbean birds and their habitats.

BirdsCaribbean has been working with and supporting research and conservation activities in Cuba for a number of years, to the limited extent allowed, including collaborations with professors and students at the University of Havana. In her letter, Dr. Sorenson points out that both Cuba and the U.S. are signatories to several important international agreements on environmental protection, including the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and others. There are many shared interests and concerns, and strengthened ties can only benefit both countries’ efforts to protect their environments in the face of many common challenges, including climate change.

Cuba is a treasure trove of biodiversity, including its birds. Three hundred seventy one bird species have been recorded in Cuba; 26 of these are endemic to the island and 30 are considered globally threatened. Cuba is also a crucial stopover point for over 180 Neotropical migratory bird species that fly to and from the U.S. every year, resting and refueling or spending up to nine months wintering in Cuba. BirdsCaribbean regards the trade in caged birds and the loss of habitat from development as two major threats to migratory bird populations and a critical area of conservation focus on the island.

Cuban scientists made a number of presentations at BirdsCaribbean’s 20th International Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica in July 2015, when artist and conservationist Nils Navarro launched his ground-breaking publication, “Endemic Birds of Cuba: A Comprehensive Field Guide.” The U.S.-Cuba agreement will be beneficial to many academics and institutions in the country, opening up a new era in communication and cooperation for the conservation of migratory and threatened endemic birds.

Ornithologist Nils Navarro examines study skins of the possibly extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker with BirdsCaribbean President Dr. Lisa Sorenson at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 2015. Nils was visiting the U.S. for a book tour of his newly-published Endemic Birds of Cuba Field Guide. (Photo: BirdsCaribbean)

For more information, and to arrange an interview, please contact:

Dr. Leo Douglas, President, BirdsCaribbean
Email: accessleo@gmail.com

or

Scott Johnson, Chairperson, Media Working Group, BirdsCaribbean.
Email: sjohnson@bnt.bs

BirdsCaribbean is a vibrant international network of members and partners committed to conserving Caribbean birds and their habitats. We raise awareness, promote sound science, and empower local partners to build a region where people appreciate, conserve and benefit from thriving bird populations and ecosystems. We are a non-profit (501 (c) 3) membership organization. More than 100,000 people participate in our programmes each year, making BirdsCaribbean the most broad-based conservation organization in the region. You can learn more about us, our work, and how to join at: http://www.birdscaribbean.org.

How does one celebrate World Religion Day? Especially if, like me, you are not a follower of any organized religion?

Well, I learned that it makes perfect sense for those of the Bahá’í Faith, who invited us to a special event last Sunday at the National Bahá’í Centre in Kingston. The Bahá’í belief is that all religions are one – each appearing at different stages in human history to guide us along the path. If you could sum up its founder Bahá’u’lláh’s vision in a few words, it would be that striving towards unity, with all religions unifying mankind under one God (If only that were so; many see religion as a divisive force in the world today). Yet, when we sat down, listened and talked at the Bahá’í Centre, we saw that the world’s religions are truly not far apart in essence; especially when talking about the environment, this planet, this Universe we share.

Entering the blue-and-white doorway of the Baha’i Centre. (My photo)

The Bahá’í Centre is blue and white – that special powder blue that Jamaican cake decorators like to use (along with that special lemony yellow). After complicated maneuverings in the parking lot, we walked to the door. Gentle acoustic guitar music greeted us. There were curtains at the windows, in brilliant shades of purple, gold and crimson.  We were a small but thoughtful gathering, including two young children who were eventually detached from us, so they could make more noise. We met Adib, an amiable Bahá’í IT specialist from Tanzania. We were all there to discuss Environmental Stewardship.

Guitarist, flowers and bright curtains. (My photo)

The guitarist stopped playing, and Ms. Hilary Gooden welcomed us and read a prayer. The language of the Bahá’í scriptures is quite beautiful, in a flowery kind of way. It reminds me of the elegant poetry of Rumi (a centuries-old poet who is much en vogue these days) and other Persian poets who wrote in an “exalted style.” And so, from Ms. Gooden, there was this phrase: “All are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.” Lovely.

Since the representative of the Hindu faith was unable to attend, Ms. Gooden read the Hindu Declaration on Climate Change, presented at the Parliament of World Religions in Melbourne, Australia, in 2009. The theme of that meeting was “Making a World of Difference: Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth.” What a marvelous document, clear and succinct. Read it here: http://www.hinduismtoday.com/pdf_downloads/hindu-climate-change-declaration.pdf  It starts off on the right note: “The Hindu tradition understands that man is not separate from nature…” Thus, we cannot destroy nature (as we are doing) without destroying ourselves.

A demonstration in support of the Hindu Declaration on Climate Change. (Photo: Hindu American Foundation)

The Declaration urges Hindus (there are 900 million Hindus worldwide) to work towards an “international consensus” and a “global consciousness” to confront the threat of climate change. An updated Declaration was issued just before the Paris Climate Change Conference and can be read here: http://www.hinduclimatedeclaration2015.org The tone is noticeably more urgent, stressing the need for individual actions (both spiritual and practical) as well as a swift move towards 100 per cent renewable energy and a turn towards vegetarianism (which would make a difference for a number of reasons). The fundamental belief, in Sanskrit, from the Īśopaniṣad, is: “Īśāvāsyam idam sarvam. This entire universe is to be looked upon as the energy of the Lord.”

Uganda-born Aisha Mulendwe has lived in Jamaica for many years. She was brought up as a Muslim, attended a Roman Catholic school…and became a Buddhist. (My photo)

Aisha Mulendwe is a Buddhist. She is also a member of the Soka Gakkai Society – a branch of Nichiren Buddhism, founded in 1930 by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, a teacher in Hokkaido, Japan. Like the founders of the Bahá’í faith, the early adherents of Soka Gakkai were persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs. Soka Gakkai is an activist religion, if you like, determinedly pursuing a quest for peace; its founders were strident opponents of nuclear proliferation during the Cold War, and its current President Daisaku Ikeda writes an annual Peace Proposal every year, on January 26. Ms. Mulendwe says the Buddhist belief is that we are “one with the environment… We are all interdependent, like fish and water.” Our inner selves and our outer environment are inseparable; an “impoverished, desolate environment,” such as the one we are creating for ourselves, “upsets the balance” of our internal self and prevents us from achieving our highest potential. Yes – don’t we feel that? Karma can be changed, Ms. Mulendwe emphasized; with our actions we can make a difference, as individuals. Ahead of COP21 in Paris, Daisaku Ikeda’s 2015 Peace Proposal included the need to build a “sustainable global society.” He concluded: “I wish to emphasize that it is the solidarity of ordinary people that, more than any other force, will propel humankind in our efforts to meet the challenges that face us.” You can find his website at http://daisakuikeda.org

Dr. Sulaiman from the Islamic Council of Jamaica recited a part of the Koran (Qur’an) and translated it for us: “The sun and moon run on their fixed courses…” The Koran tells us that the Universe has been created in balance, he said (without going into all the astronomical discussions). It has been given to us “as a trust.” A beautiful passage in the Koran (SURAH 55: AL RAHMAN – The Most Gracious) describes the sky, the trees, the ocean, the fruits of the earth, and so on – and repeats: “Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?” There are several courses of action, Dr. Sulaiman noted: firstly, contemplation and reflection on the Earth; secondly, making use of the Earth sustainably, through agriculture; thirdly, since there is reward in doing good, it makes sense to take care of the earth. Finally, if you plant a tree, that is seen as an act of charity. You are giving back to the earth. The Islamic tradition, he noted, has always been close to nature. Islamic gardens are famous the world over, and seen as places for rest and contemplation. Poor old, battered Baghdad was famous for its gardens once; the Gardens of Babur in Afghanistan have been restored, thankfully. Dr. Sulaiman mentioned the gardens of Andalusia in Spain, with their fountains.

Don’t bury your one talent.

Dr. Phyllis Green discussed the Christian approach. Environmental stewards, she suggested, could be divided into three categories: the doers (volunteers who work hard, such as on our coastal cleanup days), the donors (who provide the means to take care of our environment) and the practitioners (whose daily work is caring for the environment). She read the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and interpreted it as a call to action, and to advocacy. Just look at that lazy servant, who did nothing with his one talent! He could have used it – he could have invested, just as we should in the environment. The more we invest, the greater the results. After burying the talent, the servant went off and…did nothing. This, Dr. Green suggested, is like sticking one’s head in the sand – or perhaps, sweeping our environmental problems under the carpet. “If we continue to ignore – if we continue to deny,” she added, “We are contributing to the problem.” Every one of us can do something, whether we are given five, two or only one talent. So – use them!

The planting of a tree is for the future. In this photograph, US President Barack Obama takes part in a tree planting ceremony at the residence of Israeli President Shimon Peres, in Jerusalem on 20 March 2013. This was a magnolia tree that President Obama had brought from the White House garden. During the ceremony, President Peres told the story of the Carob Tree, planted for generations to come. EPA/AMOS BEN GERSHOM / GPO

Mrs. Jenny Henriques (a Roman Catholic herself) spoke in place of her husband Stephen, who heads the United Congregation of Israelites in Jamaica. She spoke of Psalm 24: “The Earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,” which appears to be a contradiction of “The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to mankind” (Psalm 115). Or is it? As Dr. Sulaiman spoke about the Earth “as a trust.” It is given to us as a “loan from God” according to Jewish belief, said Mrs. Henriques. How similar the Muslim and Jewish concepts are! She also mentioned one of the classic tales from the Talmud, that of the Carob Tree, which will take seventy years to bear: “I am planting trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees,” said the man who is planting one.

By the way, something interesting struck me: two references from the Muslim and Jewish faiths were exactly the same, as if they had been quoted from the same scripture – namely, even at the end of the world – plant a tree for the future. “If the Day of Judgment erupts while you are planting a new tree, carry on and plant it,” the Prophet said. And extraordinarily, when I googled these amazingly powerful words, I found that the German Protestant Martin Luther said exactly the same thing, too: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” All three religions with exactly the same concept!

I think perhaps the Bahá’í are on to something here: “All the religions are one,” as we sang during the celebration in Kingston last Sunday.

Our Bahá’í hosts had the last word. Mr. Walter Scott reiterated what all the other speakers had said: “Nothing will be achieved if we do nothing.” While the Bahá’í Faith does not get involved in politics, he noted, it does have an Office of the Environment, which sponsors “green” activities and advocates at major environmental conferences around the world . Community action is key, Mr. Scott maintained; the subsequent discussion focused on specific actions such as reducing scandal bags, disposing of solid waste properly, saving water – and for each of us to plant one tree. Mr. Scott ended by quoting Bahá’u’lláh’s words: “The Earth Is But One Country, and Mankind Its Citizens.”

As Aisha Mulendwe suggested: Let’s have “less anger, greed and fear, and more wisdom, generosity and integrity…Man has got us here – man must get us out of it.”

We can all agree on that, religion or no religion.

I am quickly copying this from the “Gleaner” newspaper. You may find the article at http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20160125/govt-lifts-order-barring-sand-removal-negril-property  So now we know. The “economy” (that is, foreign investment) “outweighs all other consideration” and is clearly far more important than the environment… says the Environment Minister. And “the material belongs to the developer.” Interesting that our own beaches – our white sand – actually belong to a foreign investor, and can be moved around the island. 

What are the consequences of moving a beach, by the way? See my earlier post with an article by Diana McCaulay. But hey, money comes before the environment. It wins, every time. 

Our Climate Change Minister, Robert Pickersgill, did NOT represent Jamaica at the crucial Climate Change Conference. Now he has bluntly declared that a tourism investment is worth a great deal more than the environment. Let’s not ask for any more overseas funds for climate change adaptation. We don’t want to appear TOO hypocritical, do we? (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

The Land and Environment Minister Robert Pickersgill has withdrawn the order barring the removal of sand from premises owned by the Karisma Group for a development of a hotel in Negril, Westmoreland.

In a release late Monday evening Pickersgill said the hotel had, in fact, received a permit and “no objection” from the National Environment and Planning Agency.

“I also note the considerable and the substantial value of the project to the Jamaican economy which outweighs all other consideration,” Pickersgill said.

SEE PICKERSGILL’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

I have paid keen attention to the debate in the media concerning the matter of the excavated material inclusive of sand produced as a direct result of the preparation of the foundation for the hotel development by Yabyanas Limited.

The development is taking place on lands being those previously occupied by the Mahogany Inn in Negril which was sold by the U.D.C. to the Yabyanas Limited, a part of the Karisma Group for the development of a hotel.

The history of the matter is as follows:

• The Investors applied for an environmental permit to the NRCA to undertake the development and a permit was issued on the 27 day of October 2014 on certain terms and conditions.
• Condition 17 of the Permit indicated that solid waste from the development site should be disposed of at an approved facility identified by the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
• Having received the environmental permit Yabyanas Limited then proceeded to apply for the building permit for the development and obtained the services of Professional Geotechnical Engineers to undertake soil tests to ‘inter alia’ determine the type of foundation that would be best suited to the designed building, bearing in mind load bearing capacity and possible seismic activity.
• The geotechnical engineering report indicated the need for a raft type foundation which could be undertaken in different ways. The report identified carbonate material (sand), peat and clay as the below surface materials but did not quantify the amounts.
• The developer accordingly submitted its application to the Hanover Parish Council for approval.
• Work proceeded and excavation began.
• The volume of material excavated exceeded what was anticipated based on the technical report submitted in support of the Environmental Permit that was issued by the N.E.P.A. and which necessitated an application for a variation of the Permit.
• The Investor/Developer however applied to the Commissioner of Mines for a licence to transport the material (sand) excavated to another proposed hotel site owned by them in Llandovery, St. Ann. The Commissioner of Mines requested the NEPA’s opinion on the proposal to which a no objection was offered. The material I am advised belongs to the Developer.
• Subsequently, the Agency on realising that the quantity of material being excavated exceeded the amount contemplated by the Environmental Permit granted and issued a Cessation Order.

I asked the police to enforce compliance of the Cessation Order.

A number of valid questions and concerns have been taken into consideration in making my decision on this matter:

1) The antecedents to the granting of the Licence and the consultation and discussions between the regulatory bodies and representatives of the Developers;
2) Ownership of the sand;
3) The planning and environmental laws governing sand, its production, harvesting, transportation and application for beach nourishment purposes;
4) Requirements for transporting of the sand to an associated development outside of the Negril area owned by the Developer;
5) Impact of the removal of sand on the coastal ecosystems and the wider environmental management of Negril;
6) Compliance of the Developer with the planning and environmental laws, and finally;
7) The appropriateness of my enforcement of the Cessation Order issued under the NRCA Act.

As Minister, I have reviewed the entire matter and on advice have come to the following conclusions:-

1. That the Sectoral Policy Mineral 10 (SPM 10) in the Negril Green Island Area Development Order does not apply in this instance;
2. That the option pursued in construction of the foundation system was the result of engineering considerations;
3. That the material excavated belongs to the Developer.

I have also take into consideration that the Developer received all necessary valid permits and a “no objection” from the NEPA on which the Developer relied to its detriment before the NEPA sought a Cessation Order.

Having carefully reviewed all the issues and circumstances, I have decided as follows:

1. That the Licence issued by my colleague Minister of Science Technology Energy and Mining on the recommendation of the Commissioner of the Mines and Geology Division is valid;
2. There was a clear misunderstanding of the NEPA’s “no objection” which is normally associated with an Environmental Permit;
3. To allow the Developer to transfer the sand stockpiled at the site to the proposed development site in St. Ann, in accordance with the Licence granted;
4. Restrict the use of the portion of carbonate sand allocated to the St. Ann site solely to support the development and nourishment of the hotels beaches. Sale of the sand is prohibited. I also note the considerable and the substantial value of the project to the Jamaican economy which outweighs all other consideration.
5. The NRCA/NEPA have been instructed to collaborate with the Quarry Advisory Committee and the Mines and Geology Division to streamline the coordination and approval processes to avoid misunderstanding and a recurrence of any similar nature. The agreed framework and process flow are to be completed within one month and presented to me and the Ministry of Science Technology Energy and Mining for sign-off.
6. The Chief Executive Officer, of the NEPA and the Managing Director of the Mines and Geology Division to lead a process to develop a national policy on beach sand, including guidelines for importation and an accounting framework. The first draft of the policy should be produced in six months.

As a result of what I have stated, I will withdraw the Cessation Order forthwith.

Part of the stockpiled sand removed from the Negril beach. It does not belong to Jamaicans. It belongs to the investors. (Photo: Nationwide News Network)

“You could call this a ‘good news’ press conference,” said National Integrity Action (NIA) Chairman Martin Henry, welcoming the Jamaican media and others this morning for a briefing on the new Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2015 released today by Transparency International (TI) in Berlin. NIA is the Jamaica Chapter of TI. You can download the full report, which lays things out very clearly, from https://www.transparency.org/cpi2015/

A sign reads ‘Corruption, laundering’ during a protest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 18, 2013. (Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images)

The global picture is far from cheerful, however. Two thirds of the 168 countries on the CPI 2015 scored below 50 on a scale of zero to 100 (zero is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean). Denmark remained at the top, Somalia and North Korea tied at the bottom. Corruption remains “public enemy number one” in developing countries, said NIA Executive Director Professor Trevor Munroe, quoting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on World Anti-Corruption Day last year.

Of the 26 countries of the Americas ranked in 2015, Haiti and Venezuela scored lowest – both at 158th on the CPI with a score of 17. Canada was the highest in 10th place. Brazil fell the furthest; it had a rough year with the Petrobras scandal, falling to 76th on the CPI last year. We will recall the widespread public anti-corruption protests in Brazil and Guatemala last year. These resulted in criminal investigations now ongoing in Brazil; and in Guatemala, the resignation and indictment of former President Otto Pérez Molina last September. Perhaps these grassroots anti-corruption movements bring hope for the future. Perhaps people are simply tired of “grand corruption.”

So, how did Jamaica do? Actually, rather well – hence the smiles. It was the only country in the Americas to have improved its score by three or more points, advancing from 38 to 41 points. In fact it is one of only 20 countries globally that improved by this margin. This pulls Jamaica out of the bottom half of the Americas’ ranking for the first time in nine years (during which it was “marking time” in Professor Munroe’s words), placing it at 69th out of 168 countries. Jamaica moved up 16 places, from 85th out of 175 countries on the CPI in 2014. Jamaica actually ranks seventh out of 26 countries in the Americas – after Canada, the United States, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica and Cuba. I notice that few Caribbean countries appear on the CPI, however – I am not sure why this is.

(l-r) Contractor General Dirk Harrison; Director of USAID Jamaica Dr. Denise Herbol; and NIA Chairman Martin Henry at today’s press briefing. (My photo)

NIA and its partners would like to take some credit for this positive development; and so, I believe, they should. The Ministry of Justice and successive Justice Ministers; civil society organizations, community-based organizations and community development committees, under the banner of the Social Development Commission (SDC); and faith-based organizations such as the Spanish Town Ministers Fraternal (who attended the briefing) – all played their part. Professor Munroe believes these important partnerships are beginning to show results, although there is still a long way to go. He particularly thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Jamaica for its “indispensable” support for NIA and for Jamaican civil society in general.

So what is the background to Jamaica’s upward movement? Well, certainly there have been louder and more effective demands from the Jamaican public for Government accountability and transparency. The Government has been forced to respond, albeit sometimes belatedly. For example, there were the changes in the National Solid Waste Management Agency (NSWMA) board after another disastrous fire at the Riverton garbage dump; and the resignation of the Chair of the National Housing Trust (NHT) in the wake of the “Outameni scandal.” Last year also there was the demand for greater transparency on the so-called “dead babies scandal,” resulting in the publication of the Ministry of Health audit. There have been other, smaller victories too. Performance audit and investigative reports by the Contractor General (OCG) and the Auditor General have made a difference; the OCG’s report uncovered corruption in the Hanover and St. Thomas Parish Councils, for example. The Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has stepped up its game in the past year also, attacking police corruption and going after crime “kingpins” involved in corruption. After all, crime feeds on corruption in all its forms. MOCA’s conviction rate has also increased.

Executive Director of National Integrity Action (NIA) Professor Trevor Munroe at today’s press briefing. NIA celebrated its fourth anniversary on World Anti-Corruption Day last December, and became a National Chapter of Transparency International on 15th March, 2015. (My photo)

Professor Munroe also pointed to work that has been done on “long-pending” anti-corruption legislation. Progress has been made with the “Lotto Scam Act” and the outlawing of Ponzi schemes, for example. Parish Councils will undergo more oversight. There is the political party registration and campaign finance reform legislation, too, seeking to improve the electoral process. The Integrity Commission Act and some other legislative measures are still dragging their feet. Importantly, however, Professor Munroe emphasized that while there are shortcomings, the NIA does not believe in “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.” It would prefer to work on “plugging the loopholes” (an expression used more than once), rather than rejecting legislation outright. This, the NIA believes, is a more constructive approach.

The NIA thinks Jamaica’s 2015 ranking bodes well for its socio-economic future. The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-16, for example, continues to identify corruption as high on the list of problems affecting Jamaica’s economic progress. One hopes that, going forward, the CPI ranking will encourage more investors and help create employment. It will not only help restore some public confidence that efforts are actually being made; it will also encourage NIA and its partners – at home and abroad, since corruption is a global problem – to persevere in their efforts to achieve a “culture change” among Jamaicans, especially the youth (by the way, most NIA members are indeed youthful!)

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice Carol Palmer spoke for Minister Mark Golding, who was unable to attend. She welcomed NIA’s “proactive, constructive role,” adding that the Ministry has “conversations to hold” with Professor Munroe on a number of issues. She said the Government is seeking to “bring together agencies that currently operate in silos” in the anti-corruption fight. There is much on the legislative agenda that needs to be focused on. The Representation of the Peoples Act, which was passed in the Senate earlier this month, has now gone back to committee for proposed amendments to be discussed. Section 52 BB of the Act (that campaign donations received by candidates should be used only for financing their election campaigns, and not for personal expenses) is a particularly thorny issue.

Opposition Spokesman on Justice Delroy Chuck cited vote-buying as a major concern. (My photo)

Opposition Spokesman on Justice Delroy Chuck noted that inefficient, slow bureaucracy helps corruption to flourish. In Jamaica, it is often said (and in fact the current Finance Minister famously said this) that “he who plays by the rules gets shafted.” He raised the issue of electoral practices too, asserting that vote-buying is “widespread” and that people threaten not to vote unless they get paid. Professor Munroe responded that NIA’s latest set of television ads, to be rolled out soon, will focus on this very issue. The ads will point out that getting paid $5,000 or so to vote is not going to help Jamaicans, their families or the community in which they live in any way – not even in the short term.

Professor Munroe pointed to NIA’s substantial public education work, which has helped to raise awareness in the past year. It has produced two documentaries that are available on its website, on YouTube and that have been aired on both local TV stations. The third documentary, to be aired for the first time on TVJ on Sunday, January 31, is titled “Building Integrity” and focuses on the electoral system. This would be very timely, as there is speculation that on that same day the Prime Minister will finally announce the long-awaited election date at a public rally in Half Way Tree – possibly for late February.

NIA also believes in “face to face” education. It has organized town hall meetings across the island and participated in street meetings in Spanish Town and Montego Bay. Through USAID’s Comet II program, it has intensified its youth outreach. It has also helped establish Integrity Clubs in schools through a pilot program, which it intends to expand. It has partnered with the Jamaican Bar Association. Another partnership with the Spanish Town Ministers Fraternal has been quite effective; Bishop Dr. Rowan Edwards of the Lighthouse Assembly Ministry, who is Chairman of Spanish Town Revival, told us that through its continuous outreach, partnering with other faith-based and community groups, his church has seen a turn around in citizens’ approach to crime and corruption – in a town that has had serious struggles with those challenges. By the way, the group’s next “10,000 Men and Their Families” rally in Spanish Town will take place on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 p.m. It’s good to see this activist approach.

“There is still a long way to go” in the struggle, emphasized Professor Munroe. On the current legislation, “We will not let those loopholes slide,” he added. While current legislation has its flaws, the NIA intends to “keep on pushing.” NIA Chair Martin Henry observed in closing that a balanced and co-operative approach is key: “We are not going to run through the town with a sledgehammer.”

Meanwhile, we must all play our part. Let’s keep the pressure up, on our Government and private sector. Moreover, let us help our communities get engaged in the fight against corruption. The infamous “informer fi dead” culture needs to go.

An anti-corruption skit performed at a special event at the University of Technology on March 15, 2015, which marked the visit of Chairman of Transparency International Jose Ugaz. (My photo)

The Negril Chamber of Commerce (NCC) issued a short press release today, expressing its shock at Monday night’s withdrawal of the Minister of Environment’s stop order for the removal of sand from a property in Negril to a new hotel development in St. Ann. Executive Director of Jamaica Environment Trust Diana McCaulay observed that Minister Pickersgill actually (perhaps inadvertently) spoke the truth when he said that the economic value of the hotel development “outweighs all other considerations” – a line in his written statement which has upset many Negril residents and environmentalists.

Thanks to CVM Television’s “Live at Seven” for keeping the focus on this issue – in particular, host Simon Crosskill and producer/reporter Yolande Gyles Levy.

On CVM Television’s “Live at Seven” last night the Chair of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) John Junor described these words in the Minister’s statement as “unfortunate,” saying the value of the investment was not the only consideration (on the same program, environmental lawyer Danielle Andrade pointed out that by law, the impact on the economy should not be a factor). But sometimes, the truth will out, and Minister Pickersgill’s words rang true.

On “Live at Seven” Mr. Junor actually conceded (more than once) that there was “some administrative bungling” by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).The developers did not know this, but they should have applied to NEPA for a “variation order,” allowing them to take a larger quantity of sand, he said. What a confusion! I almost feel sorry for the poor developers, having to deal with such incompetence. Almost!

Some of the sand waiting to be taken away. (Photo: Negril Chamber of Commerce)

On the same program, the NRCA Chairman (who did most of the talking on the show) appeared to be trying to make some legal points regarding the Jamaican Constitution, which he said indicates that landowners such as Karisma should not be told how to dispose of their property, without compensation being paid. Mr. Junor is, after all, an attorney by profession. He also said the material removed is “not coastal sand,” but was taken further away from the high water mark. I am no scientist, but the huge piles of sand photographed look like lovely white Negril beach sand, to me. 

A property on Negril beach, now shored up at great expense due to the erosion. (Photo: Gleaner)

Mr. Junor also asserted that carting away the sand would have “no long term impact on the environment.” How could such a large volume of sand being removed not have any impact – especially combined with all the other ills of the Negril environment, including the draining of the Great Morass, removal of seagrass by some hotels, etc.? But professional experts advised the hotel, said Mr. Junor, and did soil tests. So, no worries?

The point about climate change funding is a telling one. Ironically, the Government has been seeking funding for a controversial breakwater in Negril to combat beach erosion. I have written about this issue in previous blog posts. NCC spokeswoman Sophie Grizzle Roumel believes it’s “a bit unfair” to ask taxpayers in other countries to fund large adaptation projects in Jamaica, when the Government is doing its best to hasten the impact of climate change by removing sand from beaches that are already eroding (among other actions). Negril’s beach is reportedly eroding at close to ONE METER per year! And then, if a storm comes along in a few months’ time…

But I have to ask: What is the point of all these agencies supposedly protecting and regulating our environment? What is the point of environmental laws and the very recently produced Development Order for the area – which cost J$14 million to produce? What is the point of a Ministry of Environment that is not protecting the environment?

The Opposition Spokesman on the Environment Daryl Vaz, meanwhile, has not said much apart from that this matter shows the Government’s incompetence and “dysfunction.” He has welcomed the Environment Minister’s plan to develop a beach sand policy (which he says he suggested), adding that it is “an unfortunate situation.” Oh, how Jamaicans love to use this word “unfortunate,” meaning that it’s a really bad thing, but nothing can be done about it! Mr. Vaz hedged his bets though, by talking about the balance between environment and development that must be respected, “at all times.” We know, don’t we, that there is no balance, Mr. Vaz? It’s development that wins, at all times. Isn’t that the norm?

So, will Negril get its sand back – the sand that belongs to an overseas developer, according to the Minister? The answer would be: “No chance.”

As the host of “Live at Seven” Simon Crosskill said last night, “It does seem that Jamaica is indeed for sale.”

Here is the NCC’s press release:

January 26, 2016

The Negril Chamber of Commerce (NCC) is appalled that the Minister responsible for the environment, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, has rescinded the stop order for the removal of sand from Karisma’s hotel in Negril to their property in Llandovery, St. Ann.

We have heard arguments that the sand is not sand and also that it was owned by the hotel. The Quarries Control Act of 1984 defines quarry material as follows: “quarry material means rock, stone, sand (including sea sand), marl, gravel, clay, fill and limestone where such material does not contain any minerals in economically workable quantities.” Sea sand is defined as “sand on the seabed, shoreline or foreshore.” So the excavated sand and soil on Karisma’s construction site IS quarry material as defined by the Act and requires a quarry license to excavate or remove it, which is why one was issued.

The recently enacted Development Order clearly states the risk of removing the sand from Negril to another location and it has been ignored to by the Environment Minister. This risks the integrity and stability of the entire beach at Long Bay, affecting those who have invested in Negril for decades.

To say that “the value of the project to the Jamaican economy outweighs all other considerations” as Minister Pickersgill has done, is essentially to say that once there is money to be made, the environment does not matter. This is a short term and incredibly ill- informed position to take, particularly in the context of the Government of Jamaica seeking donor funding to protect the environment and mitigate against climate change.

The NCC questions the logic of having environmental laws and an environmental regulatory body; it will lobby all international agencies to cease funding climate change adaptation and protection of the environment projects until our government stops sacrificing the environment on the altar of expediency.

My father’s mother was an emotional woman. My most vivid memory of her was enthroned on the sofa, propped up by cushions and Pekinese dogs, with a delicate handkerchief in one hand – her lower lip trembling. My grandmother was a well built woman, and the fragile handkerchief was completely inadequate for her size as well as for the depth of her emotions.

The final scene of “Turandot,” where the princess is actually smiling. This gives you a little taste of the lavish production at the Metropolitan Opera.

What made her mouth tremble the most, and tears swell in her eyes? Puccini’s last opera, the magnificent “Turandot,” played on the 1960s “stereogram” (young people would not, of course, be familiar with this wondrous piece of technology, which took up a large portion of my grandmother’s sitting room). My brother and I would watch her with a mix of apprehension and amusement, as the familiar triggers in the opera arrived, inevitably, one by one. One of these was the faithful and pious slave girl Liu’s plaintive aria before she stabbed herself. The other was, naturally, Calàf’s aria “Nessun Dorma,” during the sleepy night scene at the beginning of the final act. Now if you don’t know this, look it up. Even non-opera fans know it – it’s almost a pop song. Luciano Pavarotti, that rockstar opera star, sang it at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Aretha Franklin did a soulful version.

Liu (Anita Hartig) sings “Tu che di gel sei cinta” (You Who Are Enclosed by Ice) while Turandot watches unmoved.

For me, “Nessun Dorma” (sung in a rather workmanlike way on this occasion) was not at all the highlight of the Metropolitan Opera of New York’s revival of a Franco Zefirelli production – aired live by the wonders of satellite technology in an (eighty per cent empty) Carib 5 cinema. Clutching a sickly sweet cup of Nestlé from the coffee machine, I was overwhelmed by the performance of the Swedish soprano Nina Stemme in the title role. “Powerful” is an overused word in this context – and inadequate. We were caught up in layer upon layer of sound. My husband threw his head back against the seat. I clutched my coffee, gulped it down and squeezed the arm rests and the cardboard cup, alternately. I spent the rest of the opera tilted over at an angle onto the next seat (empty), finding it easier to absorb the performance that way. What a voice.

Now, Turandot is a fairy tale about a Chinese princess, the Emperor’s daughter. She sends beautiful princes seeking her hand in marriage to their deaths, because they cannot solve the riddles she tells them. She is a vengeful figure, and we all know revenge is a dish best served cold. Twisting her long sleeves back and forth with sharp motions in In Questa Reggia” (“In This Palace”) she tells of the rape and murder of another princess, her ancestor. Everything revolves around Turandot. We are almost fearful of her appearance in Act 2, and when she does arrive we feel the psychological weight of her presence (and also her physicality – I never imagined her as a slight figure).

In Act 1, Turandot appears, silently, above the crowd in her lighted palace.

Turandot is no shrinking wallflower.

I have always felt uncomfortable about the point in the final act when Turandot just… gives in. She is “conquered” by love (although it seems more like lust, to me, and it appears that when she is still reluctant – she really doesn’t want a man – Calàf simply forces himself on her). There is a moment when Ms. Stemme suggests that Turandot is less than happy with this turn of events. But it’s a relief to all that no more heads on sticks are going to appear on the horizon – twenty-something beautiful princes beheaded, at the last count. Enough is enough.

So, as usual in opera, one doesn’t examine the niceties of the plot too closely; there are hints of stuff that are far from “politically correct” in our modern age. However, when swept up in Zefirelli’s sensuous production, it’s all too easy to forget. There are imperial guardsmen with red, grinning masks; silk-fringed parasols; graceful dancers with pink, slanting eyes; cold white masks and multi-colored, tasseled headdresses; swirling scarves and acrobats; fans snapping open and shut; magnificent, heavy robes with long sleeves and shoes with turned-up toes. There is a huge sword (for the execution); a gong (to summon the Princess); gilded columns and lanterns of scarlet and green. The production is so rich and complex I found myself watching different areas of the stage at different times, where little vignettes were played out.The choreographer, Chiang Ching, is seventy years old today and was interviewed during an intermission.The choreography – all the movement – of the chorus and other parts was almost hypnotic – especially the use of hand movements, gesturing, uplifting, folding.

The “stranger” who guesses the riddles (Marco Berti) is getting the better of Turandot (Nina Stemme) in this scene.

When my grandmother was especially moved, she would reach out and grab my hand. Sitting in the Carib cinema on a cloudy tropical afternoon, I could almost feel her hand, with her heavy rings, trembling in mine.

She was loving every minute of it.

Postscript: Opera is the complete artistic package: music (orchestral and song), acting, choreography, design. I would like to suggest to the Jamaican cinema company Palace Amusement that it seriously considers in the future inviting students of drama, music, theater, dance and design (say from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts) to attend these remarkable live performances, which are of the  highest levels of quality and professionalism. They are not simply a film of a performance; in the intermissions you see the stage sets being moved, stage managers at work, interviews with producers, wardrobe people etc. – all the “behind the scenes” happenings. It is much more than just a show. Students could learn so much – and, importantly, become inspired. Rather than have a Carib 5 with say thirty members of the audience – as there were today – why not offer half-price or even free seats to students? I am sure they would benefit.

Happy World Wetlands Day!

High school students engaged in some birdwatching activities sponsored by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) at the Port Royal Marine Laboratory today. (Photo: NEPA)

The National Environment and Planning Agency is busy today, with groups of eager schoolchildren (no doubt happy to have the day off) exploring what is left of the Port Royal mangroves (a Ramsar site) and learning all about the value of wetlands at the Port Royal Marine Laboratory. NEPA also sponsored a poster competition for all ages. Good for them – they always work hard on this day to spread some knowledge. Public education is vital!

The fact remains that our wetlands are in serious retreat. This is a worldwide phenomenon, sadly. Globally, half of all mangrove forests have been lost since the mid-twentieth century, with one-fifth since 1980 (Spalding et al. 2010). In Jamaica, our wetlands are shrinking rapidly, with disastrous results. The destruction of mangroves around Hellshire in St. Catherine is plain to see. It has contributed to the decline and now complete disappearance of what was once a beautiful white sand beach and has left this low-lying area exposed to storms in the future.  Truth be told, wetlands in Jamaica have been in steady decline since they were drained during the colonial era for agricultural production.  Our four Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance are under severe threat from development, pollution and agriculture. The Great Morass in Negril has even been drained, adding to the resort’s problems.

A young American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus (a protected species) among mangroves in a lagoon in Portland Bight Protected Area in Jamaica. This area, rich in mangroves forests and including three fish sanctuaries, remains threatened by a planned transshipment port that would cause tremendous destruction on land and sea and leave the area exposed to storms. (Photo: Robin Moore)

By “wetlands” in general we are not talking about mangrove forests alone. Wetlands are rivers, swamps and marshes; springs that may come and go but provide vital water resources in arid areas; glacial lakes, wet grasslands and peat marshes at high altitudes; river deltas; and Arctic wetlands. There are all kinds of wetlands; those in the tropics are under extreme threat. 

Why are wetlands so important? For a start, they do provide livelihoods for around one billion people worldwide, according to the non-governmental organization Wetlands International. The theme for today is “Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods.” A question is often asked: What is the environment worth in actual dollar terms? Well, it’s been estimated that just one hectare of mangroves is US$12,392. If you add that up…

Secondly, with climate change well in the forefront of our concerns, coastal wetlands provide protection from floods, storms and tsunamis. Mangroves in particular are great storers of carbon (as are our rain forests).Thirdly, the loss of biodiversity is of growing concern worldwide – that is, the vast numbers and range of species of animals, birds, insects, plants and trees that thrive in these special habitats. For example: According to BirdLife International, at least 12 per cent of globally threatened bird species depend on wetlands for their survival. This includes several Caribbean species. Wetlands also have an important role to play in purifying our water and preventing the intrusion of saltwater into our water supplies (which is already happening in some parts of the south coast).

The Zapata Swamp National Park in Cuba is rich in biodiversity. It has been a protected area since 1961.

While on the subject of birds, the International Waterbird Census (IWC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year; it covers over 25,000 sites in 100 countries. Take a look at their beautiful Facebook page. In this region, you can find more about BirdsCaribbean’s West Indian Whistling Duck and Wetlands Conservation Project here: http://www.birdscaribbean.org/west-indian-whistling-duck-and-wetlands-conservation/ It includes a fabulous teaching resource: a publication called “Wondrous West Indian Wetlands.”

The beautiful West Indian Whistling Duck is endemic to the Caribbean. It is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of its shrinking habitat. It is entirely dependent on wetlands. (Photo: Anthony Levesque)

In the Caribbean, mangrove restoration projects are under way – including along Kingston’s Palisadoes airport road, where construction by China Harbour Engineering Company destroyed a considerable area of mangroves; some replanting has now been done. One keeps one’s fingers crossed that these will grow into healthy forests again. The Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) Wetlands Interpretation Centre in the Portland Bight Protected Area (in Clarendon) is built and seeking more funding to get going on important educational and training programs. The Grenada Fund for Conservation and partners in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are involved in a project called At The Water’s Edge, funded by The Nature Conservancy, looking at the conservation of coastal areas and the restoration of mangroves and reefs.

So, things are happening. If you or anyone you know wants to learn more – and to get actively involved in wetlands conservation projects – do get in touch with any of the organizations mentioned above.

Our wetlands need all the help they can get.

Black River Morass is one of four Wetlands of International Importance in Jamaica. The others are the Mason River Protected Area, Bird Sanctuary and Ramsar Site in Clarendon and St Ann; the Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area in Kingston; and Portland Bight Wetlands and Cays in St Catherine and Clarendon. Together, they cover an area of 37, 847 hectares. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

C-CAM’s Wetlands Interpretation Centre is seeking funds to expand its programs. (My photo)

In Grenada, mangroves have been planted in PVC pipes. (Photo: Grenada Fund for Conservation Inc).

Warning: This page contains an excessive amount of the color Orange. But it could just as easily be the color Green. Interchangeably. The colors of the Two Tribes. Tweets are in purple.

Here’s an orange “bag juice” for starters.

On Sunday, January 31, the center of our country’s capital city was closed off for seventeen hours. The area was bristling with police and security guards. Kingston residents who wanted to visit their aged aunt, go to church or (heaven forbid) go to work, were severely inconvenienced.

Why? Because…party time. We Jamaicans take parties seriously. Especially our political parties. Nothing must get in the way of a good time. We were about to be invaded by a horde of flag-waving, vuvuzela-tooting, ganja-smoking, gyrating, window-hanging, high-on-life-and-other things political supporters of the Orange variety, hanging out of Coaster buses that swayed all over the roads at high speed. I heard reports of supporters coming from Montego Bay terrorizing other drivers. Why don’t the police have any control over these buses from hell? Before every big rally they talk about “no protruding body parts” (which sounds slightly rude) but hey – the body parts protrude all over the place, as usual.

The occasion was a People’s National Party (PNP) rally, during which the Prime Minister was expected to announce (with expected fanfare)…wait for it…the election date!! I decided not to watch this awe-inspiring, historic moment on television, but resorted to my old friend Twitter. Now, as some people know, I spend far too much time on Twitter – and when big occasions are afoot, it is especially amusing/fascinating/annoying. I was not disappointed.

Heading for Half Way Tree on a beautiful Sunday evening. At least they were on foot and not a threat to other drivers. (Photo: Marcia Forbes/Twitter)

The usual clichés were trotted out as the Orange Tribe filled up Half Way Tree. Wow, what a crowd. Half Way Tree RAM. This is the biggest crowd EVER. They all say the same thing, every time, knowing full well that the parties bus their supporters in from every corner of Jamaica for the party. The supporters (many of whom may not even be registered to vote) are promised a meal: two small pieces of chicken or spoonful of curry goat and a huge serving of rice in a polystyrene box, plus a Red Stripe. And, of course, a fun time rubbing shoulders with fellow supporters.

The ritual begins. (Photo: Irie FM/Twitter)

They might even see themselves on the big screen – or on TV. As a friend put it, the true enjoyment of these rallies is “not for the folks in TV-land.”  This struck me as profound. So. The middle class (who may or may not still exist), uptowners and people with little energy for parties (like me) sat home and watched the less privileged among us partying, with those who would control them standing proudly above them on the stage.

By the way, this is the typical response of a “die hearted” (in Jamaican parlance) party supporter of either Tribal persuasion: “A reporter asked a PNP supporter earlier “why do u support the PNP” his response “CUZ MY MOTHER WAS A DIE HEARTED PNP N ME NAH SWITCH.” End of conversation. Substitute “JLP” on another occasion.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller proves her fitness for office by running onto the stage. Two of her less agile Ministers look on, rather glumly.

So much for the supporters. As for the performers (because party rallies are as much dramatic performances as parties) they had fun too – at least, for a while. By the time the Prime Minister came on stage (running) some of them looked a little frazzled. It was a long day and a long night. But parties are marathon affairs in Jamaica – not for the faint-hearted, at all. We take them seriously.

By the time the Prime Minister made her announcement (after 10 p.m. and after a one-hour speech aimed at “hyping up” supporters) the speeches had been dragging on for two or three hours at least. The crowd was looking ragged and some of the dignitaries on stage could barely stand up straight. The witty Dr. Michael Abrahams quipped: “I would not be surprised if the election date is announced to be February 31.” Another tweep commented that at this time of night the Prime Minister should be preparing for bed (in an extremely funny Jamaican way). Instead the organizers “have har inna cold air at late hours.” Jamaican humor is amazing, and best enjoyed in patois. 

Happy orange partygoers. (Photo: Gleaner/Twitter)

Some of us at home were suffering. Dr. Abrahams said he felt he was losing brain cells rapidly. It’s the same kind of experience you have when watching awards shows, except the participants weren’t half as glamorous and didn’t wear pretty frocks. How long could they spin it out? The speeches got worse and worse. Dr. Peter Phillips expounded on “which party could people trust.” Dr. Phillips, I hate to say this – but the words “trust” and “politics” really don’t sit comfortably together, do they? Perhaps he wasn’t listening to what he was saying, but one junior minister reportedly said: “More people get raped under the JLP than under PNP.” Perhaps he was inspired by his senior minister, who controversially spoke about rape a few months ago? Ugh.

A PNP supporter scratches out the color of the opposing Tribe on her vuvuzela. (Photo: Gleaner/Twitter)

Some of my tweeps are even more cynical and embittered than me. One commented: “Jamaica is still clearly 3rd in the priority of these people. 1. Party 2. Mek sure it’s not the other party 3. Jamaica (if it list at all).” There were many comments along these lines. Or perhaps it’s just that I follow some miserable people who don’t know how to have fun? The cynicism increased after the Gleaner tweeted a photograph of a supporter scratching out the green on his/her vuvuzela, which bore the colors of the Jamaican flag. Green is the Other Tribe’s color, you see. An inspiring moment, indeed. And by the way, those horrible things should be banned!

Last seen at the Total gas station in Half Way Tree… a black Octa drone belonging to MediaBlue Caribbean. Could the thieves kindly return it?

Meanwhile, three drones operated by MediaBlu Caribbean were given permission to zoom over the sea of Orange. The firm tweeted that several men approached them with the intent to rob them, but the police did not assist. They are still missing one of the three, which was stolen just after six in the evening, after it flew low over the crowd. This is disgraceful. Give it back!

Then there was the music, without which the party wouldn’t be a party. Many felt this was the best part. The “Selecta” did well, interspersing appropriate and relevant snatches of popular songs in between almost every phrase of the Prime Minister’s speech. He excelled himself. Or perhaps overdid it, whichever way you want to look at it.

Peter Bunting’s meme. Note raised fist. I wish the PNP would drop this anachronistic fist waving and calling each other “Comrade” too. But it ain’t going to happen!

So, on to February 25. As someone on Twitter put it, and I quote: “Portia will have a double celebration on the 25th, 40 years in politics and her third time as PM!! #boomshot.” Well, it might be a #boomshot for the Prime Minister. What about us Jamaicans (or “my Jamaican people” as Portia put it) – is it a #boomshot for us? Or is this whole thing an exercise in extreme self-aggrandizement?

So, as the Big Day approaches, I have a message for young Jamaicans (and the older ones, too), pinched from a tweet by Kendrick Lamar (which might be a quote from someone else, but it’s a good and relevant one): “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” 

One of my tweeps had the final word. Why all this fuss over the election date announcement? All the expense, the many hours spent making noise, when we could all have had a nice quiet Sunday evening at home?

“She could’ve just tweeted it.” 

Precisely. Roll on, fixed election dates.

Nothing is quite what it seems.

Since the World Health Organization’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1, I have been wading through online articles about the Zika Virus. I am baffled, confused, alarmed and apprehensive, all at the same time. I suspect many Jamaicans are. In fact, I was even wondering if there was any point in writing this blog post, as I am struggling to sort out the facts from the rumors and theories – including the conspiracy theories that are inevitably rising to the surface. Where exactly are we – where is Jamaica – with the Zika Virus today, Wednesday February 3, 2016?

I don’t know where to start. Perhaps first and foremost I should refer you to my fellow blogger Susan Goffe, who has been following the issue very closely (as she did when we were in the throes of chikungunya – an experience I will never forget). Her tweets from press briefings and other fora are much appreciated and I know she is trying her best to untangle the web of information that is coming in from all angles. I would direct you also to her important blog, and in particular to this post, which she wrote a few days ago: https://rightstepsandpouitrees.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/for-jamaica-beawarezikaisnear-becomes-beawarezikaishere/

Here, Susan asks a number of burning questions that she would have liked to have posed at Monday’s press briefing at Jamaica House, if she had been present. The meeting was attended by a veritable phalanx of Ministers. It was the day after the People’s National Party’s election date announcement rally, and the administration wanted to impress us with their seriousness. I must add that I think our relatively new Minister of Health Horace Dalley is doing a far better job than his predecessor at keeping us informed. He has a very pleasant and open personality. He is more accessible, and I think this helps. Nevertheless, the press briefing did not tell us much that was new, except that approximately 27 suspected samples have been sent to the Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) laboratory for testing. One assumes this is the total amount that has been sent so far. When were they sent, and when will we be getting the results? The Ministry is urging more people who are feeling ill to go to the doctor and get tested. You can watch the entire briefing here:  http://opm.gov.jm/videos/jamaica-house-press-briefing-february-2-2016-zikv/  and the Prime Minister’s television address on the topic at the same link.

Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley (right), addressing yesterday’s press briefing on Jamaica’s zika virus preparedness and response at the Office of the Prime Minister. Others (from left) are: Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott and Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer. (Photo: Jamaica Information Service)

Now, as we know, the first case of the Zika Virus in Jamaica was reported last week: a four-year-old boy living in Portmore, who has since recovered – and who had recently traveled to Texas. So is this to be viewed as an “imported” case (although U.S. authorities said all their Zika Virus cases were imported from elsewhere in the Americas? The U.S. now has over 30 Zika Virus cases). The Ministry is saying they are still investigating “where the infection occurred.” Portmore is well-known (notorious!) for its thriving mosquito population, having been built, misguidedly, on a swamp. So I set up a little red flag there, although only a tiny one, since I have learned that the Aedes aegypti mosquito does not live in the ground or in swamps, but in buckets of water, old tires etc. Oddly also, the child in Portmore reported symptoms on January 17 but a sample was not sent for testing until January 26. Considering that the infection only lasts for a week at most, what does this mean?

Speaking of Texas, the infection of a Texan by a partner back from Venezuela was only the second reported case of sexual transmission since the Zika virus was discovered in 1947. So – although this news brought another shudder through the Jamaican population – this may just be an oddity that we should not need to worry about. Or should we? (“No sex, no babies,” joked a friend online). And I haven’t mentioned a possible connection with the rare but serious progressive neurological disorder, the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Cassiana Severino holds her daughter Melisa Vitoria, born with microcephaly at the IMIP hospital in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, on February 3. (Photo: AP)

On January 18, before our first case was announced, the Health Ministry put out a statement advising women to delay pregnancy for the next six to twelve months. Although the connection between the Zika Virus and the incidence of microcephaly in newborn babies has not been proved, the Ministry was being cautious. Understood. Globally, though, the picture looks murkier. It appears that despite 20,000 cases in Colombia there has not been a single case of microcephaly there. If it is only in one area of Brazil, what other factors may be at play? (see below for a couple of theories).

I have some questions (as does Susan Goffe) about the procedures and protocols for testing and for tracking those living in particular areas (the Minister was cagey yesterday about which particular section of the Portmore area the lone case occurred in) – as well as the tracking of pregnant women. Is testing being conducted rigorously by doctors for every case of fever, for example?

The impact on tourism is yet to be seen. Both Canada and the United States have issued travel advisories for the Caribbean. You can find the latest from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/zika-virus-caribbean It’s pretty certain that many will be canceling their vacations, in the middle of the tourist season.

A tiny fraction of one area of the garbage that fringes almost every corner of Kingston Harbour, brought down from the gullies. And just take a look at some of our gullies! (My photo)

Well, one positive spinoff of the whole thing is that there seems to be an increasing awareness of the awful condition of our environment – certainly in urban areas – and the Government has declared February 5 as a “national clean-up day.” That sounds familiar, because we had something similar when Chikungunya began to spread. Our street has never looked so neat and tidy; hardly a discarded lunch box anywhere (yes, we are a messy people). Yet, there are still gullies full of refuse and standing, stinking water that continues to breed mosquitoes (has anyone visited Seaview Gardens lately?) There are still tires lying around that will collect rainwater – and we have had some rain. Can’t old tires be stored inside a building?

Ahem! I have a confession to make. For the past four or five days I have been under the weather. My symptoms have been as follows: awful headaches; a slight fever at nights, when I have vivid dreams that try to extend themselves into my waking hours; aches and pains – but then, Chikungunya pains have never completely left me since October 2014; and fatigue. Nothing more, but I should probably have gone to the doctor and did not. This is a case of “do as I say, not as I do.” Who knows what it was? It was probably one of those vague nameless bugs that seem to hang around every corner these days. But please, if you are feeling unwell go to the doctor.

Deforestation in Malaysian Borneo is believed to be a driver of malaria transmission in humans, according to new research. (Image credit: Kimberly Fornace/Washington Post)

A particular phrase keeps coming to mind when I reflect on the anxiety and nerves that the Zika Virus has sparked in the Americas: Pandora’s Box. Is this a new box of duppies and unknown horrors that we have opened? How did we find the lock and the key? Was the key that of humans’ ongoing and increasing interference with the once perfect balance of our environment? Has this interference (and specifically, the destruction of our rain forests) exposed us and created a “heated-up” atmosphere that encourages the proliferation of mosquitoes and other creatures that transmit diseases to humans? With El Niño set to wane by the end of the summer,

Or perhaps the Aedes aegypti is a product of urbanization. A new Washington Post article also reports that major dam projects in Africa have resulted in huge increases in insect-borne diseases, as well as irrigation and river training projects. You can read the article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/03/the-hidden-environmental-factors-behind-the-spread-of-zika-and-other-deadly-diseases/

That said – is this all a “smokescreen” as some conspiracy theorists are murmuring? Is the Zika Virus panic some kind of cover-up for the allegedly sinister activities of Oxitec, a British company that is creating genetically modified mosquitoes? Or are Brazilian authorities trying to cover up a vaccination program that went badly wrong?

One thing I do know. We can’t mess around with our environment on a major scale, as we have been doing for at least a hundred years, and expect no consequences. Now it’s coming back to haunt us, in a thousand different ways. This is just one of them.

I hear a buzzing in my ear.

You can keep up to date on the Zika Virus at the WHO website here: http://www.who.int/entity/emergencies/zika-virus/en/index.html and follow all the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) edicts, which pretty much replicate them. You can also share their infographics – here’s one below.

A useful info graphic to share.

Here is a post by fellow blogger and educator Wayne Campbell. You can find the link to this article here: http://wayaine.blogspot.com/2016/02/female-genital-mutilation.html 

As the World Health Organization states: “Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.” (See: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/) Here’s something I found out today: An estimated 137,000 women and girls are affected by FGM in the UK alone, largely among immigrant populations in London.

Photo: UNFPA/Senegal

Today, February 6, is the International Day for Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.

Female Genital Mutilation is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. This procedure differs according to the ethnic group. The practice is most prevalent between ages 0-14, however, this is usually done up to age 49. This procedure is typically carried out by a traditional circumciser using a blade, with or without anesthesia.

At least 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone female genital mutilation, with half of them living in Indonesia, Egypt and Ethiopia. The latest figures, provided by UNICEF, show nearly 70 million more girls than previously thought have been subjected to ritual cutting.

Female Genital Mutilation is a creation by males to keep women subjugated and powerless. Men have no right to tell women what they should do to their bodies. While I understand that female genital mutilation is steeped in cultural norms and practices grounded in patriarchy there are sometimes serious health issues associated with female genital mutilation. There are social, physiological and physical consequences for girls and women who are often forced to have this procedure.

The risk to girls who have had this procedure is severe and many face long term health problems such as infections, infertility, complications in child birth, urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections); scar tissue and keloid. Disturbingly, only 18 per cent of female genital mutilations are conducted by health workers.

Female Genital Mutilation has no health benefits and violates the human rights of girls. Other countries practicing female genital mutilation include Nigeria, Somalia, Senegal, Sudan, Chad, Yemen, Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Djibouti and Mauritania. Female Genital Mutilation is also practiced among migrant groups in developed countries.

We need to engage the men and women in those societies where this practice still exists. The time to empower our women and girls is now.

This map shows the global prevalence of FGM. (dofeve.org/The Woman Stats Project)

Here also is today’s message from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. He pays tribute to some individuals and organizations who are demanding an end to this incredibly cruel and dangerous practice. You can find more at http://www.un.org/en/events/femalegenitalmutilationday/index.shtml

Never before has it been more urgent – or more possible – to end the practice of female genital mutilation, preventing immeasurable human suffering and boosting the power of women and girls to have a positive impact on our world.

The urgency can be seen in the numbers. New estimates reveal that in 2016 at least 200 million girls and women alive now have undergone some form of FGM. The numbers keep growing both because more countries are paying attention to FGM and collecting data – which represents good progress– and because progress in ending the practice is not keeping pace with population growth – which is not at all good. If current trends continue, more girls will be cut every year by 2030 than today owing to high fertility rates and youthful populations found in most communities where FGM is prevalent. And since the practice increases risks in childbirth, it causes harm to today’s girls as well as the next generation.

The potential for faster progress for success in eliminating FGM is also clear. This International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is the first since the visionary 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all countries with a pledge to leave no one behind. The Sustainable Development Goals contain a specific target calling for an end to FGM. When this practice is fully abandoned, positive effects will reverberate across societies as girls and women reclaim their health, human rights and vast potential.

Today I raise my voice and call on others to join me in empowering communities which themselves are eager for change. I count on governments to honour their pledges with support from civil society, health providers, the media and young people. My Every Woman Every Child movement offers a partnership platform for action.

Sonyanga Ole Ngais is captain of the Maasai Warriors cricket team and an outspoken human rights and environmental advocate. He and his team travel across Kenya raising awareness on sexual health and gender equality. (Photo: DW/A. Wasike)

I am encouraged by the rising chorus of young voices demanding an end to the practice – and I echo their principled insistence on upholding and defending human rights for all. I am inspired by the brave Maasai warriors and cricket stars, such as Sonyanga Ole Ngais, who use their position and influence to demand protection for their sisters. I am heartened by the work of health providers, such as Edna Adan, founder of the Maternity Hospital in Somaliland that bears her name, who insists that every single health worker under her be well-prepared to tackle FGM. And I am grateful for the engagement of The Guardian, which is expanding its work on ending FGM to Nigeria, and to so many other media outlets and reporters shining a spotlight this issue.

Edna Adan is a tireless women’s health advocate. She fought to build a maternity hospital (now named after her) in her native Somaliland. A midwife by training, she continuously fights against the practice of FGM.

We can end FGM within a generation, bringing us closer to a world where the human rights of all every woman, child and adolescent are fully respected, their health is protected, and they can contribute more to our common future.

Dear readers: You may be wondering why I have not done any of my weekly news updates recently.

The main reason is that I have been ridiculously busy, had a bout with a mysterious virus, and… I can’t think of any other good excuses.

I hope you have been enjoying my posts on various topics, meanwhile. I promise I will be back on stream within a few days. Here’s a photo I took the other day, to be going on with…

As you may know, I am just not good at getting up in the morning; and yesterday was particularly damp and grey, with no sign of the sun. So it was, I confess, a bit of a struggle.

Yet at 6:30 a.m. there I was, in a taxi cab, roaring up Old Hope Road for a birdwatching session at Hope Gardens (also called the Royal Botanical Gardens). Now, unearthly hours of the morning are when you are likely to see the most birds in Jamaica. So, the early bird catches the…bird.

BirdLife Jamaica’s Damany Calder gets in a quick binocular session before we start.. (My photo)

We met up near the “fountain” (which has actually not had any water in it for many years, although it used to have a few frogs). Doris Gross, who organizes the walks, was there with a few other members of the public, waiting for a few more people to arrive and for our guide, President of BirdLife Jamaica Damany Calder. We took a look at a White-Crowned Pigeon, hunched with his back to us near a tall palm. We heard the rowdy cries of the Loggerhead Kingbird and the piercing calls of two Jamaican Woodpeckers. Then we got started.

Hope Gardens are, to me, the well-trodden paths of memories. If I was to name my favorite place in the whole of Jamaica, this would be it. As I step in the gate, its sweet atmosphere embraces me, very gently. The trees breathe, “Welcome back. We are still here.” Every step is familiar; I know exactly what is around each corner. The hills enclose us. Our son first started walking there. I remember leisurely strolls with my parents when they visited us. One day I must sort all my photographs.

My favorite corner of Hope Gardens has always been the sunken garden. (My photo)

The 200-acre gardens, once part of the Hope Estate and acquired by the Jamaican Government in 1881, have changed in the past three decades or so, since we first started taking walks there. Places do change. The adjoining Zoo has been through many trials; Coconut Park, where children flocked in the summer time, has faded away. Now we have an ugly concrete structure in one of my favorite spots, where the pond is (and where I have in the past spotted three species of heron in the space of five minutes). This edifice is called the Chinese Garden and it was inflicted on us by our benefactors, the Chinese Government, as a gift. Very nice, but couldn’t they have put it somewhere else? I am hoping that when the next hurricane comes it will blow the so-called garden away over the hills, but leaving the magnificent trees intact. Or perhaps it will look better with age, when it cracks and is covered in mold and moss. One hopes so.

Our youngest birdwatcher with her very own yellow binoculars. (My photo)

Yesterday, though, we ignored the concrete and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We wandered. We consulted bird identification cards. We took photos of everything – people, plants, trees, birds, selfies. We were a group of around fifteen or so; all ages from a little girl who brought her own mini binoculars, to restless teenagers and some slightly more staid, but enthusiastic older ones. A group of “twenty-somethings,” brought by Nicolette (who was a local volunteer at BirdsCaribbean’s International Conference last year in Kingston) checked their cell phones at regular intervals in between sightings. We all loved standing under the twisted, leafless Silk Cotton Trees, heavy with scarlet blossoms, thick petals under our feet. I waded through leaves like pieces of folded brown paper that had fallen from the “French Peanut” tree, a friendly old thing where doves cooed.The gardens have their seasons.

The Northern Potoo, looking very aloof. He basically pretended we weren’t there. (Photo: Kahlil Francis)

We found a Northern Potoo, sitting high up in the crook of two branches of a large tree, streaked like the tree’s bark. He had just settled down for his daytime roost when a crowd of rather noisy humans gathered round his tree, pointing at him. Northern Potoos are nocturnal, and during the daytime they do an excellent impersonation of a piece of dead wood. When animated and awake, however, they have eyes like headlights and a gaping mouth. Damany had to make the distinction between these curious birds and “patoos” (the local Jamaican name for owls, in general). Remarkably, one young man realized he has his very own Potoo in his yard and sent me a photo when he got home; he just never knew what it was.

The Silk Cotton trees were an attraction – for birds and humans who watch birds. (My photo)

Then there were the migratory warblers; at least twenty of them fluttered back and forth in one large tree, including my favorite, the American Redstart (always the first to arrive in this area, and the last to leave). We watched an American Kestrel gliding from tree to tree and returning to the very pointed tip of a tall palm. Hope Gardens is famous for its parrots: mostly the more common endemic Yellow-billed Parrots, which racket around the place with a few Olive-throated Parakeets in tow. To our delight, though, we also saw a pair of the much rarer endemic Black-billed Parrot, quietly feeding in a “bottlebrush” bush nearby with little concern for our presence. Yes, maybe we are listed globally as a “Vulnerable” species, they seemed to say. But hey, this bush tastes really good. I had never seen this charming bird before.

Red-billed Streamertails were flitting in the sunken garden, along with Vervain hummingbirds and Bananaquits. (Photo: Kahlil Francis)

Gradually people departed for their Saturday morning chores (and breakfast) and the thought of a cup of hot steaming coffee weighed heavily on my mind. Mist shrouded the hills, and I found myself with Damany and Kahlil Francis, the wonderful photographer who joined us and whose photos grace this page. Although the sun seemed to have no intention of coming out, more birds appeared. It was as if some of them had been sleeping late. I was peering at what I thought was a particularly fancy Loggerhead Kingbird, perched on a wire above the old water channel that still feeds the gardens. “That’s no kingbird,” Damany said. I felt a quiver of excitement when he told us that it was a Belted Kingfisher – a winter visitor. His flamboyant spiky crest reminded me of the unkempt punks that I used to see in Camden Town on a Saturday morning. He was my second “first” for the morning. I had not expected this, at all.

It was a thrill to see the quite unusual Black-billed Parrots. This one was very busy in the Bottle Brush tree. (Photo: Kahlil Francis)

I must add one thing: my binoculars are my pride and joy. They are the most wonderful thing I have acquired for years. Even if you don’t love bird watching as much as I do, binoculars are a thoroughly rewarding, gorgeous toy. Everything looks different. Individual feathers are ruffled by the breeze; a bird’s glittering eye turns itself in your direction; a small lizard wriggles in its beak. Binoculars are a superb invention. I found myself gazing at the ordinary mango trees in our yard for no particular reason the other day. Through my binoculars they take on an almost magical aspect. I lent mine to several members of our group yesterday. Not surprisingly, no one was in a hurry to give them back. Binoculars are joyful things!

The “Hopping Dick” (White-chinned Thrush) was hopping along this branch. (Photo: Kahlil Francis)

As a fine drizzle came down from the hills, we found ourselves again, rather damply, at the fountain, lingering no more. In the parking lot, as usual, a man was setting out some soft drink bottles, packets of crackers and sweeties on a battered wooden stall. He didn’t look optimistic that business was going to be thriving, that day.

A member of our group, just appreciating nature. (Photo: Hope Gardens)

It was past 9:30, and time for home and that cup of coffee. Next month may bring a brighter morning; but the birds lit up the grey skies for us, anyway.

The monthly tours are organized by Hope Gardens; a contribution of a mere J$200 is requested. Check their Facebook page for further information. The Nature Preservation Foundation is the non-governmental organization responsible for the management and operations of Royal Botanic Gardens and Plant Nursery. 

A little youthful “reasoning” going on here. (My photo)

Since I last posted one of my commentaries, the election date has been announced (February 25). Today was Nomination Day, with the accompanying rowdiness.

A supporter hanging out of a bus on Nomination Day. (Photo: Gleaner)

I am not at all impressed with some aspects of the campaign, now in full swing. It seems the usual indiscipline rules, despite all the pronouncements of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the directions of the Political Ombudswoman. Are the police afraid of stopping buses that are driving recklessly, with passengers have half (or even all) of their bodies sticking out of the windows? And why do the political parties ignore Political Ombudswoman Donna Parchment Brown‘s instructions and allow their supporters to continue erecting flags along roads, marking out “territory”? I have written about this before, and for a while the flags came down. However, I hear Mountain View Avenue (a politically divided street if ever there was one) is festooned in alternate orange and green from top to bottom. Who is not getting the memo? Or who simply doesn’t care? A “high ranking” police officer was quoted in the Gleaner: “If we stop one bus we going to have to stop all of them to prosecute. Then you might have the two groups converging and we don’t want that.” In other words: A) we can’t really take on the work of prosecuting a lot of them; and B) we are afraid for the safety of our officers – not for that of “converging” groups or innocent passers by. Oh, well. There you have it.

Ms. Parchment Brown wants to meet with the party general secretaries tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. to discuss a number of “irregularities.”

Are the political debates on or off? Private Sector Organization of Jamaica head William Mahfood tweeted yesterday that he is sure they are on. Interviewed on TV this evening, however, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller hemmed and hawed. What’s happening? It’s not encouraging that the Jamaica Debates Commission website has not been updated since 2012…

SSP Steve McGregor is always given the toughest police divisions to manage. But Montego Bay/St. James must be his biggest challenge ever. Hang in there, SSP! (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Violence is ugly. It dirties up everything, including politics. Jamaica has suffered from this for decades, on and off. We were all disturbed by events in Montego Bay – the so-called “tourism mecca” that has a very dark side. On Sunday night, while the Opposition Leader Andrew Holness was addressing a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rally  in Sam Sharpe Square, gunfire rang out. Two people were killed and two injured. Both political parties condemned the incident. The police report it was related to a feud between the Sparta Gang and the Rebel Gang in Flanker, an inner-city community on the outskirts of Montego Bay. One of the dead was a “wanted man.”

Jamaica Labour Party supporters look on as the police secure the area where a motorcade was attacked leaving one person dead. (Photo: Gleaner)

Then, just this afternoon, a JLP motorcade was fired on and stoned as it drove through Flanker; one man was killed. The indefatigable SSP Steve McGregor, who is now in charge of St. James, just said on television that there is a specific concern with Flanker, which he says is very divided politically. I know that much good work has been done in the community, with the establishment of the Flanker Peace & Justice Centre, and more. This is really sad.

Unmasking: Meanwhile, the police, Ms. Parchment Brown and others have expressed concern over the wearing of masks at party rallies. There is no specific law against the wearing of masks. This also raises the question of security at these mass rallies. How can they be more carefully controlled? Should they be banned, at least in Montego Bay? Well, political meetings in Flanker have now been banned by police (who, by the way, pointed out that no permission had been given for the JLP motorcade). Oh, and in the long term – CCTV would help, too. Can we look at this in a serious way?

On your bike: Our Member of Parliament Julian Robinson rides to Campion College in Kingston on Nomination Day. He is seeking a second term as MP for South East St. Andrew. (Photo: Abka Fitz-Henley/Twitter)

The positive spin is supporters of opposing parties hugging and posing for their photos together. Love and peace, and all that. We get this every Nomination Day – along with photos of various long-suffering domestic animals dressed in party colors. Déjà vu. It’s the Cynical Me speaking, I’m afraid. Meanwhile, I get the feeling that the “youth vote” is not going to materialize – although there are some young candidates who do deserve support. The amount of negativity expressed on social media – plus the convoluted explanations as to why they won’t vote – is disheartening, if to some extent understandable. I have never not voted in my life, however. It doesn’t feel right to abstain. But if you must abstain, then you need to put your mind to it to effect meaningful change as a non-voter. Of course, you can do that. Everyone can. Here are some thoughts from a young Jamaican woman: http://latoyanugent.com/about/talking-politics/

Four people were killed in this crash between two speeding cars on Spanish Town Road in Kingston yesterday.

Speaking of the roads, the news so far this year has been gloomy. Of the twenty (yes, twenty!) motorbike riders killed already in 2016, only one was wearing a crash helmet. Again, the police seem unwilling or unable to enforce the law in this respect. The primary factor, as noted before, is speed. 45 deaths have occurred on the roads in the past five weeks or so. Where do we go from here?

Supporters hanging up flags on Mona Road over the weekend. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Battle of the hashtags: Meanwhile every media house has a different hashtag for their election reporting: #JaVotes2016 for the Gleaner, #DecisionJa2016 for the Observer, and several others on social media. Take your pick.

Promises, promises: Statements from party platforms have become more and more outlandish. The People’s National Party (PNP) first promised 100,000 jobs; the JLP responded by promising 250,000 jobs. I wish they wouldn’t. Meanwhile, the JLP’s promise of open, digitized government data would certainly impact our society in many positive ways. In fact, it’s a necessity for a democratic society these days. But please – stop making promises you can’t keep. Let’s be reasonable.

The Gleaner’s Man of the Year, not very well positioned in front of their banner.

Man of the Moment: Finance Minister Peter Phillips is a busy man at the moment. He heads the PNP’s election campaign (it’s a pity his speeches on campaign platforms are not more edifying) and is busy collecting awards, too. He was recently named the Gleaner’s Man of the Year 2015, which the Minister called “an award for the people of Jamaica.” Today the Minister was in New York today for the 2015 International Financing Review Americas Award Ceremony and to accept Jamaica’s award for Latin America Bond Deal of the Year. This was last July’s US$2 billion dual-tranche bond in the international capital markets, most of which was used to retire Jamaica’s US$3 billion debt to PetroCaribe. Now, on to the Budget… Oh yes – after the elections!

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States. It says Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners (51% owned by the Jamaican Government) will continue mining in St. Ann, but must focus on becoming more efficient. The aluminum industry is facing “challenging market conditions,” says Noranda’s boss.

Zika Virus: Well, many of us have been fogged with chemicals that make humans dizzy and kill bees as well as mosquitoes. Many of us have been frantically cleaning up our yards, so that not a drop of water can harbor an aedes egypti mosquito. The Government says everything is in high gear – one imagines people dashing around with alert expressions on their faces. Many of us have been swapping online articles about ZikV – they are coming thick and fast. “Doctors say…” “Officials are concerned that…” etc., etc. Meanwhile, I would like to ask the Ministry of Health when the Jamaican samples sent to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing will be returned? “Approximately” 27 samples were sent for testing, the Minister reported on February 2. Have any more been sent? Let’s hope we hear some news by the end of the week. An update is needed, Minister Dalley! 

Short but sweet congratulations to:

Serena Williams flanked by two lovely young Jamaican athletes – Warren Weir (far left) and Yohan Blake in Trelawny. (Photo: dre1allianceent.com)

Tennis champion a million times over Serena Williams, whose foundation is building the Salt Marsh Primary and Infant School in Trelawny. Ms. Williams was here with a group of volunteers. Well done, all!

Good news: Fatal shootings by the police and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) reached an all-time low last year, says the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). 109 died (including 3 deaths involving the JDF), representing a 15.5% decrease over 2014 and a 42% decrease over 2013. The list below is terrifyingly long but includes many (not all) of those Jamaicans who were murdered since January 8. I don’t want to FORGET them. All the following stories are tragic and my sympathies go out to the families of ALL who lost their lives. The deaths of the vulnerable (an elderly couple in rural Jamaica and a special needs boy) are particularly painful and hard to accept. But then, the level of crime and violence on our island remains unacceptable. And as you can see, Montego Bay/St. James remains the “murder capital” of Jamaica. The police say the “lotto scam” business remains at the heart of the violence.

Rohan Graham, 31, Henley Road, Kingston 11 (shot by police)

Keith Gardner, Regent Street, Kingston (shot by JDF)

Raymond Green, 31, New Haven, Kingston 20

Unidentified man, Matthews Lane, Kingston

Courtney Daley, 40, Donmair Drive, Kingston 

Lenny Daley, 57, Donmair Drive, Kingston 

Unidentified woman, Water Lane/Orange Street, Kingston

Unidentified man, Seaview Gardens, Kingston

Roman Bent, 22, Bog Walk, St. Catherine 

Dwayne Harrison, 32, Linstead, St Catherine

Jason Campbell, 28, St. John’s Road, St. Catherine

Unidentified man, Spanish Town, St. Catherine

Juvea Cooper, 10, Portland Cottage, Clarendon (special needs boy; woman and daughter charged with his murder)

Christina Dawkins, 28, Park Hall, Clarendon

Cavena Collins, 25, Pineapple, Ocho Rios, St. Ann

Javin Campbell, 22, Sam Sharpe Square/Montego Bay, St. James

Nicholas Irving, Sam Sharpe Square/Montego Bay, St. James

Unidentified man, Barnett Street, Montego Bay, St. James (two killed on this downtown street in 2016, neither identified)

Mark Anthony Tate, Kodak Street, Flanker, St. James

Robert Lundgren, 27, Montpelier, St. James

Unidentified man, Shanty Town/Montego Hills, St. James

Sandrina Samuels, 18, Meggie Top/Salt Spring, St. James

Alphonso Foster, 40, Meggie Top/Salt Spring, St. James

Andre Barrett, 36, Meggie Top/Salt Spring, St James

Unidentified man, Church Street, Montego Bay, St. James (allegedly killed by licensed firearm holder)

Lansil Gregory, 71, Edinburgh/Newport, Manchester

Corita Gregory, 74, Edinburgh/Newport, Manchester

Kimkorn Mills, 34, Great River/Sandy Bay, Hanover

Romaine Jenkinson, 20, Alma, Westmoreland (killed by the police) 

Violet Rowe, 70, Litchfield/Wait a Bit, Trelawny

Shamar Elliott, 22, Friendship Pen, St. Thomas

10-year-old Juvea, a special needs student, was murdered in Portland Cottage, Clarendon – a particularly shocking case. (Photo: Loop Jamaica)

Romain Jenkinson, 20, who escaped from the Whithorn police lock-up, died in an alleged shootout with the police in Westmoreland. (Photo: Loop Jamaica)

Javin Campbell (“Javinci”), who was shot dead at the JLP rally in Montego Bay, was an alleged gang member. (Photo: Loop Jamaica)

Lansil and Corita Gregory were found stabbed to death in their home in rural Edinburgh, Manchester. They were “returning residents” from the USA. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

There has been a new development on the question of the planned televised political debates. These were, I believe, scheduled for February 17, 18 and 20 (including one leadership debate). Prior to previous general elections, the debates have had good viewership and have been generally welcomed by the Jamaican public. In fact, comments made during the last set of debates in 2011 are quite often referred to in various contexts. The debates are, in my view, an invaluable (if relatively recent) factor in our democratic process. They are taken seriously.

At around midday today, however, the People’s National Party (PNP) issued a lengthy Press Statement which may throw the debates in some doubt. We have not heard yet from the Jamaica Debates Commission. But my question is: If the PNP has so many issues with the Opposition Leader and his party – why not air these in a democratic debate before the Jamaican public, rather than via a press statement and threatened law suit?

FYI: The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) is a partnership between the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Media Association Jamaica Limited. The JDC has organized and staged political debates in the general election cycles of 2002, 2007 and 2011, and first staged a local government debate in March 2012. The JDC has also provided technical support to debate-staging organizations in the English-speaking Caribbean and Haiti, as well as a range of countries on the African continent.

Here is the PNP’s statement, issued at lunchtime today (Thursday, February 11):

STATEMENT by The People’s National Party

Regarding Holness’ Integrity & Irresponsible Behaviour as Leader of the Opposition

February 11, 2016

The People’s National Party wishes to express its concern about a number of issues regarding the integrity of Andrew Holness, the Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party.

Holness referred to the recent unfortunate shooting incident at the JLP rally in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, Sunday, February 7, 2016, as “an act of terror.”

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has ruled out any outside forces being involved in the shooting that left three people dead. The evidence is that internal forces to the JLP were at war with each other.

Holness further termed the incident as a ” barefaced and heartless attack on the democratic process” of Jamaica.

These utterances by Holness have grave and serious implications for Jamaica especially in the regional and international community. If they were to believe Holness, that other than criminal elements internal to the JLP were involved, then Jamaica would be seen as a terrorist state.

We also note, that to date, Holness is yet to condemn the reckless and irresponsible utterances by JLP Chairman Robert Montague, who attempted to link Jamaica’s importation of oil with the terrorist organization ISIS.

We also note with alarm, Holness’ recent outbursts regarding Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, where he described her as “the biggest con artist” in Jamaica. This is a defamatory and disrespectful characterization of the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

If he describes the Prime Minister as “Jamaica’s biggest con artist” why should anyone wish the Prime Minister to have dialogue with him?

We call upon Mr. Holness to issue a public apology to the Prime Minister.

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness’ house under construction in upper St. Andrew. His wife Juliet is also running for political office, for the first time. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Construction of House

There are a number of questions that we would wish to have answered in relation to the property in Beverly Hills, St. Andrew, on which Andrew and Juliet Holness are constructing a house.

The PNP has nothing against anyone constructing and owning a big house. However, when you offer yourself to become Prime Minister there is a duty to be completely open and transparent when questions are being raised about assets owned by that person. This is an issue of integrity. This is our only interest.

We, therefore, demand answers to the following:

1. Was the land on which the house is being constructed bought by him, for US$300,00.00 in 2011?
2. How was this purchase and the construction of the house financed, recognizing that there is no mortgage registered on the title?
3. Was the land bought by a company registered in St. Lucia?
4. Is he, or was he ever, a director of that company?
5. Who are, or were, the other directors and shareholders of the company?
6. Is he still an active shareholder/director of the company?
7. Is he, or has ever been in receipt of a salary, dividends, shares, bonus or any other perks from, or as a result of business done with, or by this company?
8. Was the source of funds for the purchase of the land, and the cost of building the house included in any integrity report which all public officials are required to submit annually?
9. If the answer to question 8 is yes, when was this done, and is Holness prepared to authorize the Integrity Commission to release the relevant information?

We note that Holness has promised to make a public declaration of his finances by the end of March 2016. This is after the elections. We call on Holness to make such declarations no later than seven days before the elections.

Construction Matters

Holness is yet to respond to the findings of the Supreme Court regarding his breach of the Constitution as it relates to pre-signed letters by two JLP senators. This is a matter of integrity.

The country will recall that the Court declared and ordered the following:

1. That the request for and procurement of pre-signed and undated letters of resignation by the Leader of the Opposition from persons to be appointed as Senators to the Senate of Jamaica upon his nomination, is inconsistent with the Constitution, contrary to public policy, unlawful and is, accordingly, null and void.                                                   

2. That the pre-signed and undated letter of resignation and letter of authorization, as well as the manner of their uses to effect the resignation of Senators…from the Senate of Jamaica, are inconsistent with the Constitution, contrary to public policy and are, accordingly, null and void.

Let us not forget that a very senior member of the JLP, Delroy Chuck, in light of the Order of the Court, correctly stated the following:

“In the Westminster System of Government, any constitutional office holder – be it Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, or others – who the Court rules or declares to act unlawfully and unconstitutionally would be obliged, in all good conscience and honour, to tender his or her resignation, unless there are good and compelling reasons not to do so.”

Holness has not provided any “good and compelling reasons” to do so.

Conviction in Qatar

We also recall Holness’ meeting in Jamaica last year, with a Jamaican who was arrested, tried and convicted for sexually molesting a minor in Qatar.

The issue of child abuse is a very serious matter. That is why we introduced the Child Care and Protection Act.

To date, Holness is yet to explain to the country, why he took the decision to meet formally with that person. This is a matter of integrity.

Unquestioned Integrity

Speaking at the JLP rally in Sam Sharpe Square, on February 7, 2016, Holness declared that, if elected, he intends to put in further measures to ensure that only “members of unquestioned integrity” sit in Parliament. The PNP fully supports this position.

The question which Holness needs to answer, is whether or not, based on the issues we have raised regarding his own integrity, he is of “unquestioned integrity” to sit in Parliament?

Based on the issues we have raised, the PNP is not prepared to enter into any dialogue with the Jamaica Labour Party unless its Leader, Andrew Holness, fully and comprehensively respond to all the issues and questions we have raised.

Regards,

TeamPNP

There have been strong reactions to yesterday’s statement from the incumbent People’s National Party (PNP) outlining its stance on televised political debates prior to the February 25 general elections. The PNP’s statement was issued a short time after both parties signed a Political Code of Conduct. Its letter to the Jamaica Debates Commission is also posted on the PNP website here: http://pnp.news/2016/02/11/letter-to-debates-commission/ 

Influential private sector groups issued a statement last night – via the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA). A past head of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Christopher Zacca tweeted: “I fully support the PSOJ JMA JCC JEA statement expressing deep concern about the @JamaicaPNP pull out from the debates. Sad.” PSOJ Executive Director William Mahfood tweeted that the PNP’s decision was “completely unacceptable – flies in the face of our democratic process.” The anti-corruption NGO National Integrity Action and the Press Association of Jamaica also responded with strong statements. Please see below…

February 11, 2016

Private Sector (JMA) Calls for Decision on Political Debates

With an impending General Election underway, the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) are now deeply concerned about the lack of confirmation regarding the staging of the political debates, despite the persistent efforts by the Jamaica Debates Commission. The existing delays are quite perplexing, particularly as both political parties had signed off on the terms of a memorandum of understanding to cover the three debates, on November 11, 2015. As a coalition of private sector entities, it is our utmost belief that all political aspirants have a responsibility and a duty to share their vision for the sustainable development of Jamaica, and to make themselves available to participate in such a forum.

The cornerstone of any participatory democracy is the informed voter. We fervently advance that the political debates provide an opportunity for the electorate to adequately evaluate the policies proposed by the candidates and ultimately make an informed decision. We ardently assert that the political aspirants would be derelict in their duties to the people of Jamaica, if they were to forgo the highly anticipated political debates.

It is also disquieting that with merely fourteen days before the national polls, the two major political parties have yet to make available to the public their Manifestos. We continue to appeal for their release, so that the people of Jamaica are able to substantially analyze the content proposed to drive the country forward. All Jamaicans deserve such an opportunity to further grow and strengthen the democratic process.

Executive Director of National Integrity Action Professor Trevor Munroe. (Photo: Gleaner)

February 11, 2016

For Immediate Release

NIA calls on the PNP to Reverse Debate Decision in the National Interest

National Integrity Action, in upholding its principles of transparency and accountability, regards the decision of the Peoples’ National Party not to participate in any debates with the Jamaica Labour Party as a backwards step for Jamaica’s democracy, notwithstanding the reasons offered. It should be recalled that:

• Pre-election National Debates in 2007 and 2011 served the Jamaica people well in allowing them a better understanding of the issues;
• “The right to seek [and]receive … information…through any media” is enshrined in Jamaica’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms;
• The Access to Information Act identifies “transparency” as one of the “fundamental principles underlying the system of Constitutional Democracy”;
• Successive Prime Ministers, including Prime Minister Simpson-Miller have pledged “greater openness in government” (Inaugural Address, January 6, 2012).
• The decision not to participate in any debates with the Jamaica Labour Party runs in the opposite direction from both best practice and good democracy.

  The concerns raised by the Peoples’ National Party regarding statements and utterances by the Leader of the Opposition are real and must be dealt with in the appropriate forum, namely, by reports to the Office of the Political Ombudsman and by action through the Courts of Law. These concerns should not be used as a reason to deprive the Jamaican people of the opportunity to hear question and answers regarding plans to “Step Up the Progress” and concerning “The Path from Poverty to Prosperity”. The NIA therefore calls on the People’s National Party to reconsider its decision in the national interest and on the Debate Commission to do all in its power to ensure that the debate does take place and that Jamaica does not retrogress on this important aspect of its electoral democracy.

 Professor Trevor Munroe

Executive Director
1 (876) 383-2447

Dionne Jackson Miller heads the Press Association of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) today issued a statement via social media (@djmillerJA) and a hashtag #HoldTheDebates has started. Please see below…

The Press Association of Jamaica is alarmed at news that the National Political Debates may not be held.

The PAJ wishes to put on record its belief that it is of national importance that the Debates be held, with the participation of both major political parties.

I have written many times about the work of Eve for Life. Now I am writing again, but not to bring good news. Eve is having to face up to the likelihood of imminent closure, unless urgently needed funds can be found in the next few weeks. It currently has 132 clients who will be affected – 72 in St. James, St. Ann, Westmoreland, Hanover and St. Mary and 60 in Kingston, St. Catherine and St. Thomas.

But there have always been good stories at Eve for Life: stories of hope and progress, of lives getting back on track, of support and renewed energy. It is a unique and remarkable organization. It is the only organization, whether governmental or non-governmental serving one of the most vulnerable sections of our population, providing prevention, treatment, care and support for adolescent and young women living with HIV, who are pregnant or mothers, as well as their families and support systems.

Now, who would disagree that young girls are vulnerable – even in a country with strong social safety nets, which of course Jamaica does not have? We know, unless we have been living under a rock, that adolescent reproductive health needs in Jamaica are great, and growing. Some 18 per cent of births in Jamaica are to adolescent or pre-adolescent girls (that is, under the age of twenty). Much more rigorous, focused, comprehensive and concerted action is urgently needed, or we will have a broken generation on our hands. All of this is relevant not only to the HIV response, but to all areas of national development that are rights‐based and gender responsive. And these are long-term issues; not pilot projects or projects, but fundamental health areas that must be  fully integrated into our health and social services systems, with adequate resources. This is not happening.

Eve for Life Mentor Moms pose for their picture at the launch of the “Nuh Guh Deh” campaign in November, 2013. (My photo)

Eve has soldiered on, overcoming a million daily challenges and just continuing. It works on the ground, person to person and peer to peer, in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. This is an area that is much talked about and where well-meaning initiatives come and go –  but where, it seems, few resources are actually invested for the longer term. I can only conclude that we really don’t care that much about our young girls. Many of them are victims of rape and/or incest at a very young age, and many now still experience gender-based violence. Most are unemployed and living at or below the poverty line; besides trying to navigate their lives as HIV-positive mothers. They do not always have family support and they often suffer from stigma and discrimination among their family, their immediate community and wider society. Yes, these problems are still very real.

And yet. Yet, despite all this, there is a sense that it’s their fault. These girls brought it on themselves. Victim-blaming is, after all, alive and well in the Caribbean as it is elsewhere in the world; it can apply to teenage girls, too. Or perhaps it is also that those who are better off don’t like to look at these girls or at their lives too closely. It’s something we are uncomfortable with. We will just call them “marginalized populations.” But these are young Jamaican girls. Like any other young Jamaicans, they want to go back to school, get training, earn money, make a better life for themselves and their families and most of all, to see hope in their future.

Eve has always been involved in partnerships, primarily with the Ministry of Health, which is expected to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on teenage and young mothers living with HIV. Its Mentor Mom program has contributed in a variety of ways to the overall HIV response in Jamaica. There is so much more work to do, as anyone in this field will tell you. This is no time for complacency. Eve provides comprehensive information and training in sexual and reproductive health and rights including HIV, life skills, advocacy, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), group education, peer education and case management to groups of teenage and young mothers living with HIV aged between fourteen and twenty-four years. Once qualified to provide mentorship, the young mothers are assigned to select health facilities, under guidance from a pMTCT nurse and the Mentor Mom Coordinator. Adolescent and young mothers are referred into the program through antenatal clinics or HIV treatment sites by adherence counsellors, pMTCT nurses, doctors or social workers. The program offers opportunities for mainstreaming such services (including “best practice” training schedules and materials, many of which are online and currently in use in local schools and other institutions) into the public health sector for a more holistic package of care and support.

Eve for Life’s Program Coordinator Joy Crawford (center) speaks at a rally for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Half Way Tree, Kingston in November, 2015. (My photo)

OK, so here is a list that shows the many ways in which the Mentor Mom program has been enormously successful, just in the past year:

• Between January and December 2015, 103 young mothers aged 12 – 24 were being mentored and guided by 20 Mentor Moms and eight Life coaches (older HIV+ mothers).
• 114 children aged 0 – 16 years old received social and educational support as part of the program.
• Over 80 HIV group education sessions were held at hospitals in Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Ann, St. James and Westmoreland parishes
• 15,236 repeat attendees (female) reached at antenatal clinics in five parishes (Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Ann, St. James and Westmoreland).
• Psychosocial support addressed the underlying and unique needs of the young mothers and enabled them to respond adequately to the stress of being infected. They are thus less likely to develop serious mental health problems (we know mental health is another huge area of concern in our society that requires much more attention than it currently receives).
• 15 beneficiaries received grants to start their own business;
• 35 adolescent girls accessed educational and vocational opportunities;
• 75 families with at least two children under 16 years old benefitted from educational support including school fees, text books, stationery, lunch, travel support and school uniform;
• Four clients received housing support in 2015;
• There was strong evidence of improvement in self-esteem and self-efficacy to engage in self-protective behaviors.

Two important areas in HIV are adherence and disclosure. What do these words mean? Adherence means sticking to your treatment program. Mentor Moms and Life Coaches (older women living with HIV) make sure the girls take their medication and maintain their health by having a balanced diet (which is challenging when funds are low). When mental health concerns are addressed and counseling provided, adherence is more likely.

(l-r) Joy Crawford/Eve for Live, development specialist Ruth Jankee, Sheldon Shepherd of Nomaddz and Patricia Watson at the launch of the “Nuh Guh Deh” campaign in November, 2013. (My photo)

Disclosure relates to the environment in which the girls live, and it’s equally challenging. It is encouraged throughout the program, and as such, disclosure is treated as a life skill. Girls are walked through a process of disclosure and role-play discussions with their loved ones. The discussions address selection of the partner(s), family member(s) or friend(s) to whom the clients will disclose, how and whether they require the assistance of a life coach, mentor mom or trained counsellor. Each Life Coach and Mentor Mom must have disclosed to their partner or a family member so they can offer the most meaningful help to mentees in this area. 

This is just one plank of Eve for Life’s valuable programs. I have not even touched on their “Nuh Guh Deh!” campaign to address the sexual abuse of girls by older men; nor have I mentioned yet the support group established by the girls themselves for survivors of gender-based violence in western Jamaica, ROAR.

And let us not forget the young children, who are at risk. Recently, due to lack of funds, Eve has had to abandon its program for orphans and vulnerable children. It has also had to end its services in rural areas, where it has encountered the highest levels of child sexual abuse.

So what is Eve’s situation, precisely?  Currently, it has some funds that will last until June 2016. It has lost some staff and may have to lay off almost all its staff due to inability to pay them. It has been managing to earn enough to cover administrative costs, but these funds have come to an end. The situation is desperate. Eve for Life needs J$3.96 million (approximately US$32,727) to cover administrative costs for one year; $10.8 million (approx. US$89,000) for staff costs and $29,661,700 (approx. US$245,000) to cover the Mentor Mom Program and the “Nuh Guh Deh!” Campaign. It needs J$44,421,700 (approx. US$367,000) to be able to continue with a full program of services for one year. If at least one of these areas could be funded, Eve for Life would manage to stay open.

To date, $500,000 Jamaican dollars (US$4167) have been earned from sales of the “I am Now Free” booklet (the personal story of a survivor of child sexual abuse) and other donations. Proceeds from the sale and donations have been used to build a one-bedroom house for the author, who up to August 2015 was sharing a bed with two of her male relatives. Funds were also allocated to provide funds for rental of a home for a survivor who was in a violent relationship with her spouse as well as legal support. Other funds have been used to offset educational and other social needs of survivors of sexual abuse.

A small fraction of the close, caring network that is Eve for Life. (My photo)

Also resulting from the “Nuh Guh Deh!” campaign, a Jamaica Diaspora group – Jamaica Diaspora Nuh Guh Deh Task Force http://www.nuhguhdeh.org/ – took up the campaign in Florida and began partnering with EVE for Life. The task force was formed to provide information and garner support for sexual abuse survivors served by EVE for Life in Jamaica.

I have been personally involved with Eve for Life since its inception to some degree or other – whether as a board member or as a supporter – because I believe so strongly in the importance of their work, their competence, commitment and their deep understanding of the complex challenges facing their clients. They are caring without being sentimental; they believe in teaching (a girl) to fish, rather than giving her a fish. They are empowering, uplifting and have created a tight support network of mentors, mothers, even grandmothers and some fathers, too.

This situation truly breaks my heart when I think of the courage of the girls themselves – a courage I don’t think I would ever have. The Eve for Life network system has everything to do with these 132 girls being able to get up every morning and carry on, and for their children to eat breakfast and go to school. That is a large part of courage. It’s not an easy thing to just get up and carry on.

If you ever met or talked to any of these girls, you would know what I mean. They are facing up to life, and they deserve the support. Please help, if you can; and please spread the word.

Eve’s Executive Director Patricia Watson (far right) talks to the CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company Kelly Tomblin (second right) at a breakfast for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in November 2014. Ms. Watson and one of Eve’s clients spoke on this occasion. (My photo)

If you are able to help, these are the ways you can do so. Any donation, however small, is gratefully received.

1. Bank Name: Bank of Nova Scotia, Financial Centre
Bank Address:132-132A Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10
Account Name: EVE for Life
Account Number: 21725 32543 Account type: US Dollar
Account Number: 21725 32433 Account type: JA Dollar

Bank Code: NOSCJMKN (Bank of Jamaica Ltd.)
Branch ID: 21725
Intermed Bank: JPMorgan Chase
Swift Code: CHASUS33
Routing/aba: 021000021

2. https://www.gofundme.com/DiasporaTaskForce

3. Contact Information – Joy Crawford, Director of Programme and Training
Email – evejamaica@gmail.com / jcrawford@eveforlife.org
– info@eveforlife.org

Somewhat belatedly, I am sharing the letter written by Executive Director of National Integrity Action Professor Trevor Munroe to Opposition Leader Andrew Holness. Although this letter is dated February 14, and events have moved rather fast since then, the key principles contained therein remain valid and of crucial importance. Transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law among our public servants remains a critical component of our democracy (not, I would add, rumors, accusations and lawsuits).

Executive Director of National Integrity Action Professor Trevor Munroe speaks at a recent press briefing on NIA’s fourth anniversary. (My photo)

February 14, 2016

A grey cloud has descended over much of Jamaica. Literally, that is, although in some respects the cloud is a bit more than a weather phenomenon. Everything seems to be a bit of a struggle. Where are we heading? Jamaicans seem uncertain and not entirely hopeful. Or maybe that’s my mood. There is no doubt, however, that with ten days to go before General Elections, things are getting a little murky.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition Leader Andrew Holness shake hands at the signing of the Political Code of Conduct at Emancipation Park in New Kingston. The Political Ombudsman now reports that a number of political candidates across the island have, unfortunately, NOT signed the Code of Conduct, yet.  (Photo: Gleaner)

#HoldTheDebates: As noted in previous posts, the People’s National Party (PNP) had issued a list of demands (if that is the correct word) which, if not met, would result in its non-participation in the planned televised debates. The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) has now proposed the debates be held on February 19, 20 and 21, after being obliged to cancel the first proposed date because of the PNP’s prevarication. Will these dates go ahead? The JDC gave the PNP until 5 p.m. yesterday to confirm whether or not it will be participating; at the time of writing, the JDC says it has not received any agreement from either party on the dates, nor from the PNP on its participation. It will also not be able to have an “empty chair” debate, according to its rules. So, does this situation set a precedent? If one of the two major parties refuses to join debates in future campaigns, debates are off? The PNP also had issues with the proposed format of the debates, by the way – but may have stepped back. Be that as it may, the prospect of debates seems to be fading.

The Holness House in the Hills (HHH). (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Targeting the Holnesses: Now, inextricably entwined in this is the issue of the Holness mansion. A large part of the PNP’s argument is that the Opposition Leader must respond to a series of questions about his large house in the hills. Where did the money come from – illicit means? asked the campaign manager and Gleaner Man of the Year (GMOY) Peter Phillips in a belligerent tone. The GMOY has been dropping dark hints about the house for months, now. The rumor and innuendo machines operated by those with political agendas ramped up into high gear on social media, thanks to the GMOY. This became very unpleasant, personal and nasty – targeting not only the Opposition Leader but Holness’ wife Juliet, who is running for the seat of East Rural St. Andrew – so much so that her parents had to put out a statement defending one of the horrible rumors, yesterday. Shame on you all!

So, the PNP demanded that Andrew Holness declare his assets and respond to questions over the purchase of the land and building of his house, which it is suggested cost around J$200 million to construct [see below]. Huge issues of accountability and transparency loom (and must not be ignored). Have all our political representatives declared their assets? In the past, no. Was Holness one of the bad guys? Well, it’s hard to tell as, according to National Integrity Action, the relevant annual reports of the Integrity Commission for 2011, 2012 and 2013 are languishing in the Office of the Prime Minister, which should have tabled them in Parliament.

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness. (Photo: Gleaner)

No apology… Meanwhile, Andrew Holness’ lawyer has fired back, also claiming defamation of his client’s character and demanding an apology within three days. Holness himself he is not going to apologize for allegedly calling the Prime Minister a “con artist,” as he does not consider it defamatory. Yes, the lawyers are indeed happy!

My feeling about the whole disgraceful muddle is: Hold the debates (please!! In the interests of the Jamaican people) and that all politicians – all – should “come clean” and report their assets in accordance with the law. Among the PNP’s demands, I don’t understand the big deal about meeting with the Jamaican imprisoned in Qatar (I had completely forgotten that incident); but agree with the GMOY that Holness’ calling the shooting at the JLP rally an “act of terror” was over the top (although I am sure some of those in the vicinity were pretty terrified). Meanwhile, everyone is consulting their lawyers, who are rubbing their hands with glee. Just now, Holness has fired back at GMOY with a set of questions involving FINSAC and the Trafigura scandal. Nationwide News Network journalist Abka Fitz-Henley tweeted the two-page letter last night. In current Jamaican slang, politics “tun up.” 

The Gleaner Man of the Year may be on the right path with the IMF, but he has stepped onto the wrong road in this campaign. There’s no turning back, now.

Holness fires back, Page 1.

Holness fires back, page 2

Rough stuff: Now Juliet Holness has written to the Political Ombudsman to complain about intimidation in her constituency. Quite apart from all the back and forth and threats of lawsuits, there are other things going on that are very worrying and if true, completely unacceptable. There are reports of vote-buying ($5000 wrapped up in a party T shirt) and intimidation of voters on the ground. Now, the Organization of American States (OAS) will be monitoring the elections. It’s a pity they don’t monitor the weeks of unpleasantness leading up to elections, rather than just touring polling stations. And by the way, Citizens’ Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), the local observer organization, is currently training volunteers across the island. A session in Kingston will be coming up soon.

Expecting a Zika update today! It is two weeks since the last press briefing on the Zika Virus and I understand there will be an update today on the matter. Stay tuned…(Hint: Dengue seems to be a factor again, folks…)

The Alpart bauxite mine and processing plant in Nain, St. Elizabeth is to be bought by a Chinese state-owned firm. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

So the Chinese are to take over the Alpart bauxite mining and alumina processing plant from the Russians, who seem not keen on remaining in Jamaica. Owners of UC Rusal have signed an agreement with a Chinese firm for the purchase of Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART) in Nain, St Elizabeth – which was shut down six years ago. The rumored buyer is the state-owned Jiuquan Iron & Steel Group Co Ltd (JISCO).  Now we are hearing that the Chinese are also eyeing Noranda Jamaica (whose parent company recently declared bankruptcy in the United States) with the possibility of them taking over its 49 per cent share in the company, which is 51% owned by the Jamaican Government. This does not bode well for the environment; Noranda is already encroaching on the borders of the Cockpit Country, and we know what a dismal record the Chinese have in this respect. It scares me a little to think of the Chinese Government having control of a chunk of our bauxite industry.

Motorbike madness: Complete insanity continues to reign on the roads, especially where motorbikes are concerned. A few days ago, a Canadian tourist and a senior citizen was killed by an out-of-control bike in Negril, Westmoreland as he walked along the main road where all the hotels are. Meanwhile, two motorbikes collided in the same area (Red Ground, Negril), killing two people.\

Vanessa Kirkland.

It is very sad that the trial of three police constables charged with the murder of 16-year-old schoolgirl Vanessa Kirkland, due to start today, was postponed apparently due to the absence of three attorneys (where were they?) Vanessa was shot and killed in March 2012 in Greenwich Farm, Kingston after the policemen reportedly shot at the vehicle in which she was a passenger. Nearly four years ago. Now the case has been put off until June 7, 2016. What about human rights and justice?

Speaking of human rights and justice, the LGBT rights group J-FLAG has started an online petition which I would like to draw your attention to. Please do share and sign – this is a detailed and heartfelt petition on human rights and our progress (or not) towards Vision 2030. You will find the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/votejustice-protect-and-promote-human-rights-economic-and-social-justice-for-all-jamaicans?tk=HpUdqilo-A-_Ta_cF6GHiCdaHdjYlSBXDJJvhZtIyr8&utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature_receipt&utm_campaign=new_signature

Kudos to…

• Jamaica Observer printed the photographs of ten children (aged two upwards) missing as of February 14, here: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Missing-children—Feb-14_51733 This is an excellent move.

Kamille Adair Morgan, Rhodes Scholar and former Ardenne High School star and UWI graduate, is now studying for her D.Phil. at Oxford University. (Photo: jamaicans.com)

• A million congrats to: Rhodes Scholar and law student Kamille Adair Morgan, winner of the Winter Williams Prize at the University of Oxford, is now embarking on her D.Phil, based at Mansfield College. Congratulations and good luck, Kamille!

• Colour Pink Group founder Jessica Burton (2nd left) and J-FLAG Executive Director Dane Lewis (2nd right) at the launch of their new project this week. (Photo: Facebook)

• Colour Pink Group (CPG), and in particular founder Jessica Burton and new Executive Director Kendra Frith, who launched CPG’s new project (funded by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation) this week, and I am so sorry I could not attend! CPG addresses the needs of  homeless and “sofa-surfing” gay men, men who have sex with men and the transgender community in Jamaica. Great people!

The awesome Senior Superintendent of Police Steve McGregor says crime is not rising in St. James but it has already had around 25 murders this year, more than 2015. My sympathies are with all the families of the deceased.

Raymond Green, 31, New Haven, Kingston

Kelvin Hodge, 30, Chatham/Adelphi, St. James (killed by police; prison escapee)

Jefette Johnson, 38, Red Ground/Flanker, St. James

Mark St. Patrick Bernard, Hatfield, Westmoreland

Deon Bennett, 44, Bryan’s Bay/Port Antonio, Portland

The UWI LEADS and Integrity Action Movement (I.A.M) for Students, two youth-led organizations on the University of the West Indies (Mona) Campus will host a town hall meeting at the Rex Nettleford Hall on UWI campus this evening (Thursday, February 18) starting at 5:30 pm. At this juncture leaders from four political parties will present their plans to the student population, along with a question and answer section. Senator Mark Golding of the People’s National Party (PNP) was recently added to the list of participants, which will also include Andrew Holness of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Peter Townsend of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and Joseph Patterson of the United Independents’ Congress (UIC) of Jamaica.

Many congratulations to UWI LEADS (about whom I have written before  – they are really living up to their own youthful expression of leadership) and IAM, an on-campus youth arm of the non-governmental organization National Integrity Action (NIA), for organizing this event at extremely short notice. I hope the young people (and older ones who attend – it’s open to all) will ask some tough questions and get some answers from all the participants!

The town hall meeting will be broadcast live on Periscope, but please do come out and support! The event is free and open to the public.

Contact UWILeads on Twitter @theuwileads and follow the hashtags #YouthatPoll2016 and #JaYouthVote2016 tonight!