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JAMAICA: Prime Minister hands over 52 Housing Solutions in Westmoreland

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Montego Bay, 6 December, 2019 – Jamaica – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, today (December 4), handed over 52 housing solutions in Darliston Grove and Shrewsbury, in Westmoreland. 

Mr. Holness presented keys to families for 29 detached units in Darliston Grove and 23 detached units in Shrewsbury.  They are the first set of beneficiaries in the island to receive housing units under the National Housing Trust (NHT) Labour and Small Materials Programme (LSMP).

In his address, the Prime Minister said the Government is committed to ensuring that every Jamaican has a fair chance of owning his or her own home and residing in a secure environment.

Mr. Holness congratulated the new homeowners and lauded the NHT on delivering the new houses. He said the agency has been following the Government’s mandate to build housing solutions for the hard-working men and women of Jamaica.

“It was in early 2017 that I broke ground at Darliston and Shrewsbury, and I told you that I would be delivering six housing developments totalling 1,493 housing solutions in the parish of Westmorland under the NHT’s four-year housing programme,” the Prime Minister said.

“So, I have to thank the Board of the NHT for doing such a wonderful job in ensuring that these projects come to fruition in short order,” he added.

Mr. Holness further stated that the NHT has been making steady progress in achieving its target of developing 23,000 housing solutions in Jamaica by 2021. He noted that this objective is being propelled through public-private partnerships that are being encouraged through various programmes.

For her part, NHT Board Director, Nesta-Claire Hunter, said the agency remains committed to empowering and improving the quality of life for all Jamaicans through homeownership.

“For us at the NHT, these houses represent more than just fulfilling targets. For us, they signify the building of a nation one block, one home and one community at a time,” she said.

New homeowner of Darliston Grove, Cosmo Grant, told JIS News that getting the keys to a new home has been an overwhelming experience for him and his family.

“We want to thank the NHT and the Government for what they have created here in Darliston, and it is my intention that we keep this scheme free from violence, and make sure it is clean all the way through,” he said.

Contact: Okoye Henry

Release: JIS

Photo Captions:

Header: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), is surrounded by new homeowners of the Darliston Grove and Shrewsbury communities in Westmoreland, at the National Housing Trust (NHT) handover ceremony, on Wednesday, December 4.

1st insert:  Savanna-la-Mar’s Mayor, Councillor Bertel Moore (right), presents keys to one of the housing solutions in Darliston Grove, Westmoreland, to grandmother, Cynthia Turner; her son, Jorrean Hill, and her grandchildren, at a National Housing Trust (NHT) handover ceremony on Wednesday, December 4. Keys to the Shrewsbury housing solutions were also handed over.

2nd insert: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, tours one of the housing solutions in Darliston Grove, Westmoreland, following a National Housing Trust (NHT) handover ceremony on Wednesday, December 4. Keys to the Shrewsbury housing solutions were also handed over.

Yhomo Hutchinson Photos

Caribbean News

Barbados recognizes Palestine as sovereign

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Barbados has made a huge diplomatic move, recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state, as announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, according to a report from CBC News Barbados on Saturday April 20. This now aligns Barbados with other UN Member states which also recognise Palestine.

 

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Caribbean News

Haiti death toll rises

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Haiti’s death toll is now up 53 percent with more than 2,500 people killed from January through March 2024, compared to the same time last year. This was reported by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH),  on Friday April 19. The organization expressed that gangs have changed their tactics, now targeting public institutions and important infrastructure such as the main Airport. Most of the violence is reportedly in the Capital Port Au Prince.

 

 

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Caribbean News

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS SHINES AS A PREMIER DESTINATION AT THE 2024 SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL CONFERENCE

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St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) –April 11, 2024—The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman, and Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne Farrington, traveled to Miami, Florida, to support Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and other local partners agencies for the 2024 Seatrade Cruise Global Conference.
To kick off the week-long event, the Department of Tourism sponsored the highly anticipated Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) barbecue, which was hosted by Governor Bryan.
Revered as a steady leader in the Caribbean tourism industry, the USVI delegation, which also included the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, West Indian Company Limited, Magens Bay Authority, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Employee Retirement System, showcased the territory and its growing accessibility around the cruise industry to key operators and businesses.
“Cruise has been and continues to be a leading entryway for visitors into the territory, and Seatrade allows representatives from the USVI to interface with and share pertinent updates needed to continue fostering positive relationships throughout the industry,” explains Commissioner Boschulte.
Commissioner Boschulte was featured on the Caribbean Spotlight panel moderated by renowned industry leader and FCCA CEO Michelle Paige, who referenced the Commissioner being named the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year by Caribbean Journal and shared how exceptional the publication’s acknowledgment of his accolades are. Paige referenced Caribbean Journal’s spotlight paragraph reading, “No Caribbean destination has seen more growth in the last three years than the U.S. Virgin Islands, which kicked off a full-fledged tourism renaissance just after the onset of the pandemic and hasn’t looked back. And so much of that growth can be directly tied to the expert stewardship of Boschulte, who helped craft an innovative, flexible response to the challenges of the pandemic and has continued to drive the USVI’s performance with a data-driven, creative approach to modern tourism.”
Commissioner Boschulte and Deputy Commissioner Farrington joined Governor Bryan for meetings with leading cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Corporation & plc, amongst others, to discuss continued partnerships, expansion opportunities, and industry updates.
As the global cruise industry continues to restabilize following challenges incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Thomas and St. Croix experienced a 13% growth in 2023 over 2019, with West Indian Company Dock, Crown Bay Dock, and E. Abramson Marine Facility welcoming more than 1,600,000 passengers from 495 total calls for the year. With a 58% year-over-year passenger increase from 2022 to 2023, the USVI continues to grow and is projected to experience another 5% increase in cruise passenger arrivals in 2024.
Commissioner Boschulte also highlighted the remarkable success of the USVI and Caribbean region, stating, “I am proud to see the Caribbean’s appeal continue to captivate travelers. Our collaborative efforts with partners like FCCA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization underscore the unity of our region, ensuring unforgettable experiences for visitors while highlighting the unique strengths of the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a safe, welcoming destination and a shared commitment to tourism, we embrace our role as an integral part of the Caribbean community.”
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

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