Major General Antony Anderson named NaRRA chief executive from June 1

Former Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson has been appointed chief executive officer of NaRRA, with the posting to begin on June 1. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness announced the decision at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, saying Anderson will have to step aside from his role as ambassador to the United States.

Holness said Anderson had already been asked to examine the state’s response to Hurricane Beryl, including agencies involved in the response and, in particular, ODPEM. The Prime Minister said 85 people applied for the NaRRA job before the field was reduced to seven, comprising three Jamaican applicants and four international candidates. He said Anderson had led major national institutions, including the Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force, and expressed confidence that he would have the support of key partners and stakeholders.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, meanwhile, says it has started reassessing cases involving Hurricane Melissa victims who say they have not yet received state assistance. Permanent Secretary Diann Jennings told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee that consultations will take place in the worst-hit parishes as the ministry works to clean up data, including incorrect TRNs, mismatched names and missing maiden names.

Jamaica has also signed a four-year memorandum of understanding with Ghana to temporarily bring Ghanaian nurses and doctors into the local health system. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said recruitment will focus on areas where Jamaica cannot fill vacancies locally, with early activity expected within one to two months.

In St. Elizabeth, 45-year-old Rowan Wright, a chef from Fraser District, New Market, died after a two-vehicle crash on the Park main road about 9:15 Tuesday night. Police say a grey Toyota Coaster bus travelling from Montego Bay collided with Wright’s white Nissan AD wagon after he tried to enter the main road from a minor road. Five other people were injured.

Spanish Town Hospital is also appealing for blood donors because supplies are critically low. The hospital says demand is high among accident, emergency, surgery, cancer and transfusion patients, and a blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its blood collection centre.