Connect with us

Caribbean News

JAMAICA: Cultural Tribute for Mr. Seaga

Published

on

#Kingston, June 20, 2019 – Jamaica – Late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, was saluted in a special cultural showcase held last evening (June 18) at the Little Theatre in St. Andrew.

The approximately three-hour event, which started at 7:30, featured performances in song, poetry and dance from the University Singers, National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), Nexus Performing Company, Dean Fraser, and the Tivoli Dance Troupe.

There were also tributes from members of Government, academia and representatives of institutions established by the late former Prime Minister. 

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, in her remarks said that Mr. Seaga was “the master craftsman”, who “laboured” for the upliftment of the culture of Jamaicans and promoted understanding and appreciation of the rituals that “our people have created”.

“We salute a great man, who developed institutions, people, communities, and an entire nation. He was a man who made a difference, and his legacy will live on in the many agencies that he created,” she noted.

Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Technology (UTech), Richard Powell, said Mr. Seaga, who was the institution’s Chancellor, dedicated himself to the growth of the university, and used his links in the private sector to improve the cause of students and staff.

“Many have been touched by his practicality, sound judgment, and commitment to Jamaica. The Most Hon. Edward Seaga has given us a life of hard work, diligence and commitment,” Mr. Powell said.

Managing Director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Dr. Janet Dyer, for her part, noted that the late former Prime Minister was a man of “far-reaching vision and wisdom”.  She noted that he established the HEART Trust as “a powerful tool for human capital development”, transforming the nation’s youth, and positioning Jamaica with critical skills.

Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Professor Ian Boxill, noted that Mr. Seaga contributed to the university as a Senior Research Fellow and was a “productive member” of the Mona academic community.

He noted that Mr. Seaga was a “fierce advocate of education for all”.

“He understood the transformational power of education and how it can be truly used to move our society to sustainable economic growth and prosperity, grounded in the principle of equity.  His commitment to building bridges between the haves and the have-nots serves as a true hallmark of the character of the man, and the leader,” Professor Boxill said.

Mr. Seaga, who was Jamaica’s fifth Prime Minister, died on May 28 at age 89. He served as Member of Parliament for Western Kingston for 43 years.  The State funeral for Mr. Seaga will be held on Sunday, June 23 at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, 1 George Headley Drive in Kingston, with interment at National Heroes Park.

An official period of mourning is being observed from June 19 to 22, during which the National Flag is to be flown at half-mast on all public buildings.

Contact: Garfield Angus

Release: JIS

Photo Captions:

Header: The National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), performs at the special tribute to the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, held at the Little Theatre, St. Andrew, on June 18.

First Insert: Members of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) in performance at a special tribute to the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, held at the Little Theatre in St. Andrew on June 18.

Second Insert: Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, deliverers the closing address at a special tribute to the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, held at the Little Theatre in St. Andrew on Tuesday (June 18).

Third Insert: Managing Director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Dr. Janet Dyer, pays tribute to the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, at a special function in his honour, held at the Little Theatre in St. Andrew on June 18.

Fourth Insert: Saxophonist Dean Fraser, performs at the special tribute to the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, held at the Little Theatre, St. Andrew, on Tuesday (June 18).

Photos by Mark Bell

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

Published

on

Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Men who had Murdered Man, Marley Higgs’ cell phone face Court

Published

on

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

The prosecution intends to try two young North Caicos men, both age 21 for the offense of possession of property of a murdered man, property that was stolen and landed in their possession.

The phone belonged to Peureton ‘Marley’ Higgs, who is believed to have been an innocent gunned down at his apartment complex in the Glass Shack area in a spray of bullets on February 2 that killed another man and wounded two others, including a ten-year-old little girl.

The cell phone was described as white in colour, an iPhone, in a hard black case. 

On Monday, March 18th, JEFFVANO HANDFIELD of North Caicos pleaded not guilty to the offense, and the matter was adjourned to April 2024. He was granted bail in the matter.

A second North Caicos man was charged similarly.  

SARENO CAPELLAN aka, Kino Williams is the second individual brought before the court pertaining to the said cellphone. He appeared in court a week after JEFFVANO HANDFIELD, the date being Monday March 25th 2024.

The case for the Crown is that both men sometime in February of this year possessed the cellphone knowing or suspecting it to be stolen property.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Supreme Court Closed for Easter

Published

on

NOTICE is hereby given that the Easter Recess shall commence on Friday 29th April, 2024 and end on Friday 5th April, 2024. During the Easter Recess Judge Selochan will be available to deal only with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention.

Court Business During the Easter Recess

A person who wishes to have a matter heard during the recess must file a certificate of urgency along with an affidavit, which must set out the reasons why the matter is urgent or requires prompt attention. The matter will not be listed during the recess unless the Judge deems it fit for urgent hearing.

Opening Hours During the Easter Holiday

The Supreme Court’s last sitting day for the first term is Thursday 28th March, 2024. The Court will officially resume sittings on Monday 8th April, 2024. The Supreme Court Offices in both Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to operate while the Court is not sitting during the recess.

The Court Office will be closed on the following public holidays:

  • Friday 29th March, 2024 (Good Friday) CLOSED
  • Monday 1st April, 2024 (Easter Monday) CLOSED

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING