CVM Sunrise covers Jamaica earthquake, Ebola readiness and national service concerns

CVM Sunrise’s June 11 programme moved across national news, public health, sport and community features, with headlines on a minor earthquake near Jamaica, Ebola preparedness measures, waste-management education and utility-sector concerns.

The broadcast reported that the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona, recorded a preliminary magnitude 3.5 tremor at about 4:11 p.m. off the island’s coastline, roughly 18 kilometres south of Annotto Bay. No immediate injuries or damage were reported.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said Jamaica remained free of Ebola, with no confirmed or suspected cases. He said the Government had strengthened preparedness in keeping with World Health Organization guidance, including heightened port surveillance, closer coordination among border agencies, frontline staff sensitisation, infection-control reinforcement and readiness checks at points of entry and isolation facilities. Jamaicans were also urged to rethink travel to or transit through Ebola-affected countries.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority said about $200 million had been assigned to public education under Operation CALM, a national clean-up and sensitisation drive focused on flood-prone communities. Executive director Audley Gordon said CALM stands for clearing garbage, advisory work, leveraging community leaders, and monitoring and maintaining progress.

In the morning news, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said the cause of the previous Friday’s all-island power outage had not been conclusively established. He told Parliament that preliminary findings pointed to disturbances during heavy rain and lightning, loss of multiple transmission lines and possible misoperation linked to the Hunts Bay-Rockfort line, while further technical analysis continued.

The programme also reported concerns from the Auditor General’s performance audit of the National Water Commission, including under-spending on capital works, weak reporting, delayed contracts and aging systems. Sports updates included West Indies squad changes before the first T20 against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park, World Cup heat concerns, and a New York Knicks comeback win in the NBA Finals.