NARO CEO defends recovery mandate as ECJ begins Portmore boundary review

Major General (Ret’d) Anthony Anderson, the newly installed chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, says the agency will be judged on whether it can carry out Cabinet-approved recovery projects at scale, with speed, openness and efficiency. Anderson, who took up the post on June 1, made the comments in a Jamaica Information Service interview amid criticism of his appointment.

Senator Peter Bunting, opposition spokesman on productivity, effectiveness and competitiveness, used Wednesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives to press for stronger investment in education, skills training and human capital. He argued that wages, government spending and business growth all depend on the level of productivity the economy can generate.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said the Jamaica Fire Brigade is preparing to launch a communication-based emergency dispatch system in Waterford, St. Catherine. He said 24 firefighters were trained as emergency telecom operators in February, and the system is intended to send emergency details to fire stations within seconds.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr., speaking in Geneva at the 114th International Labour Conference, said social dialogue remains central to labour governance, sustainable development and preparation for changes in Caribbean labour markets.

In Granville, St. James, residents welcomed the murder charge laid against Constable Andrew Wilson in the fatal shooting of 45-year-old Latoya Bulgin. INDECOM said a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, which ruled on May 29 that Wilson should be charged. Councillor Michael Troupe said residents remain fearful but have been urged not to protest while the matter proceeds. Wilson was denied bail and is due back in court on June 16.

Matthew Samuda, minister with responsibility for water, environment, climate change and the blue and green economies, told the Island States Ocean Summit in Japan that Jamaica is seeking more financing, technology transfer and technical help for small island developing states to strengthen ocean governance and develop the blue economy.

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica has also begun consultations on constituency realignment following Portmore’s elevation to parish status. Director of Elections Glasspole Brown said the Constitution does not allow constituencies to cross parish boundaries, so St. Catherine South, St. Catherine South East and St. Catherine East Central will have to be reconfigured into Portmore constituencies. He said recommendations are expected around 2027.